Thank you for participating in the 2019 Game Audio Network Guild Awards. This year, we have clarified submission and voting guidelines. Please read the submission requirements for the entry you are nominating carefully. Incorrect or incomplete entries may be discarded.
For every game please have the following information ready before you begin entering your submission:
Formal Game Name
Developer
Publisher
Date the game was first officially released as “Final”
Include the information above in your submission
Submissions need to have been released between Jan 1, 2018 & Dec 31, 2018 in order to be eligible. Note that if a game is in “Early Access” or “Game Preview” it has NOT been officially released and therefore is NOT yet eligible.
Entry links will ideally be submitted through YouTube, however other links will be accepted (ReelCrafter, Soundcloud).
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES THIS YEAR:
Regarding Video Submissions:
There are new restrictions on videos submitted as part of the submission process. Game Trailers or other marketing videos will NOT be accepted. If a submission has such a video, the video will be removed from the submission.
If you are submitting a video, they should be relevant to the category you are submitting for.
Videos should show unaltered, live gameplay footage. For example, if you are submitting a video for "Best Interactive Score," your music must be happening to footage captured in-game. We would not accept videos for "Best Interactive Score" if you show us footage that has edits of different scenes of gameplay with your linear score layered on top. Note that you *may* overlay text or narration describing what to listen for, but the underlying video and audio should be of captured game footage.
Note that the following categories can submit with music only:
Music of the Year
Best Original Soundtrack Album
Best Cinematic/Cutscene Audio
Best Game Music Cover/Remix
Best Original Instrumental
Best Original Song
Best Original Choral Composition
You are not required to submit gameplay footage for the above categories.
Submissions close January 16th at 11:59PM PST. Submit here
CATEGORY GUIDELINES
Best Sound Design For An Indie Game
Best Sound Design In A Casual Game
Best Original Choral Composition
Best Original Soundtrack Album
Best Game Audio Publication, Presentation or Broadcast
AUDIO OF THE YEAR
VOTING GUIDELINES
Audio of the year is intended to award the year's best overall game audio experience. All audio elements, including sound design, music, voice, plus their integration, mix, and context within the game are to be considered. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Audio of the Year is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, illustrating all elements of the audio (music, sound design, VO) within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage. Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.
MUSIC OF THE YEAR
VOTING GUIDELINES
Music of the Year is intended to award the year's best overall game music experience. All aspects of the music are to be considered, including composition, arrangement, mix, adaptive scoring, integration, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. Voters should NOT base their decision on the soundtrack or listening to the music outside the context of the game. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Music of the Year is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the music within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage (unless there is no music during gameplay). Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.
SOUND DESIGN OF THE YEAR
VOTING GUIDELINES
Sound Design of the Year is intended to award the year's best overall game sound experience. All elements of the sound design are to be considered, including ambience, physical sounds, abstract sounds etc. plus their integration, mix, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, all gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. This category transcends game genre, aesthetic style, production budget, and platform.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Sound Design of the Year is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the sound design within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage.
BEST CINEMATIC/CUTSCENE AUDIO
VOTING GUIDELINES
This category is intended to award the year's best cinematic/cutscene audio, which is defined as linear game-controlled story elements that have little to no player interaction. All audio elements, including sound design, music, voice, and mix are to be considered. The overall effectiveness of how these elements work together, and how they complement the visuals, should also be considered.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Cinematic/Cutscene Audio is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, showing only linear cutscene footage (pre-rendered video and/or real-time rendered video capture). Included cinematic clips must be part of the game story/experience; game trailer footage is not eligible.
BEST DIALOGUE
VOTING GUIDELINES
This category is intended to award the year's best overall experience of spoken performance or dialogue in games. The award takes all aspects of dialogue into consideration, including script, individual performance, ensemble performance, direction, casting, recording, integration, and in-game dialogue systems. If there is dialogue in both cinematics and during user controlled gameplay, both should be considered. Context and effectiveness within the game experience is an important criteria.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Dialogue is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the game's voice and dialogue within the context of the game. If cinematic content is used, at least half of the video must include gameplay that features dialogue (unless there is no dialogue during gameplay.
BEST ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTAL
VOTING GUIDELINES
Voters should be mindful to judge based on the overall excellence of the piece, considering all aspects including the strength of the composition and production. Orchestral and non-orchestral music should be judged equally considering the sound palette and style intended. (eg a C major chord will sound awesome with a 100-piece orchestra but it doesn't make it "better" than a smaller ensemble, rock or electronic style).
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Original Instrumental is a recording of the piece of music. Only one submission per game will be accepted. Voice may be present in the piece but as a minor part of the overall music and mix.
BEST MUSIC FOR AN INDIE GAME
VOTING GUIDELINES
Best Music for an Indie Game is intended to award the year's best overall game music experience in a game produced by an independent game studio. All aspects of the music are to be considered, including composition, arrangement, mix, adaptive scoring, integration, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, various gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. Voters should NOT base their decision on the soundtrack or listening to the music outside the context of the game.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Music for an Indie Game is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the music within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage (unless there is no music during gameplay). Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.
BEST SOUND DESIGN FOR AN INDIE GAME
VOTING GUIDELINES
Best Sound Design for an Indie Game is intended to award the year's best overall sound experience in a game produced by an independent game studio. All elements of the sound design are to be considered, including ambience, physical sounds, abstract sounds etc. plus their integration, mix, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, various gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Sound Design for an Indie Game is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the sound design within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage.
BEST SOUND DESIGN IN A CASUAL GAME
VOTING GUIDELINES
Best Sound Design in a Casual/Social Game is intended to award the year's best overall sound experience in a casual or social game. All elements of the sound design are to be considered, including ambience, physical sounds, abstract sounds etc. plus their integration, mix, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, various gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Sound Design in a Casual/Social Game is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the sound design within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage.
BEST MUSIC IN A CASUAL GAME
VOTING GUIDELINES
Best Music in a Casual Game is intended to award the year's best overall game music experience in a casual or social game. All aspects of the music are to be considered, including composition, arrangement, mix, adaptive scoring, integration, and context within the game. All aspects of the game, from cinematics, various gameplay areas, to UI, should be represented. Voters should NOT base their decision on the soundtrack or listening to the music outside the context of the game.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Music in a Casual Game is one game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the music within the context of the game. Edits are encouraged to demonstrate various parts and aspects of the game, but refrain from marketing or trailer style quick edits. If linear cinematics or other non-gameplay elements are included, at least half of the video should contain game-play footage (unless there is no music during gameplay). Please do NOT include music soundtrack links with your submission.
BEST INTERACTIVE SCORE
VOTING GUIDELINES
This category is intended to award game music that pushes the creative and technical boundaries of what's previously been done in this area. It considers both technical achievement AND its creative application within a game. This includes games that make innovative use of existing or third party technologies, as well as those introducing entirely new technologies. Areas of innovation can include, but are not limited to, adaptive/interactive scoring, surround/3D music, custom playlist curation, generative/algorithmic composition, etc. The creative combining of technologies is to be considered as well.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Innovation in Adaptive Music includes a game capture video, no more than 10 minutes in length, that clearly demonstrates the adaptive music systems within the context of the game. Annotating the video with high level descriptions of the techniques and methods used is encouraged. A brief write up (300 words max) describing the innovation, technology, and integration is required; this description should be in the text/comments section of the uploaded video (YouTube).
BEST ORIGINAL CHORAL COMPOSITION
VOTING GUIDELINES
Best Original Choral Composition is intended to award the year's best choral composition originating from a video game. Voters should be mindful to judge based on the overall excellence of the piece, considering all aspects including the strength of the composition and production. The Focus here should be on the Choral aspect of the piece. Does this piece truly stand out as a Choral Composition?
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Original Choral Composition is a recording of the piece of music. Provide a link to the submission entry. Only one submission per game will be accepted. Choir and/or solo voice must be the featured part of the composition. Voices may be acapella, or accompanied by other instruments.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
VOTING GUIDELINES
Best Original Vocal Song is intended to award the year's best song originating from a video game. All aspects of the song including writing, composition, vocal performance, production, mixing etc. are to be considered. The song recording is to be judged outside the context of the game, but how well it complements the game in general should be considered. A song here is defined as a composition of lyrics and music, often with a verse/chorus structure.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Original Vocal Song is a recording of the piece of music. Provide a link to the submission. Only one submission per game will be accepted. A song defined as a structured song (eg verse, chorus, etc) sung by a vocalist with lyrics (in any language including made up languages).
BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM
VOTING GUIDELINES
Best Original Soundtrack Album is intended to award the year's best commercially released soundtrack of music from a video game. Voters should think of this as the 'best music collection' and judge based on how it stands on it's own as a collection of music and/or a listening experience.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirements for Best Original Soundtrack Album is a recording of the soundtrack. Provide a link to show that the soundtrack album is available publicly; you may optionally provide a link to a private upload of the soundtrack itself. The soundtrack must have been formally released (digitally or physically) during the calendar year with a published released date (as usually found in iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Bandcamp stores). Only the first SKU release is eligible (i.e. the vinyl release came out 1 year after the digital, that counts as the 2nd SKU and wouldn't be eligible). This is for the original soundtrack, not a remix (there is another category for these releases).
BEST GAME AUDIO PUBLICATION, PRESENTATION OR BROADCAST
VOTING GUIDELINES
A special judging panel will be created to look at and curate submissions, as well as select the winner. This panel should include those that have published writings about game audio, include people from game audio education and academia.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Best Game Audio Publication, Presentation or Broadcast, is intended to reward a standout achievement in game audio writing, scholarship, or journalism. Eligible mediums include books, blog series, academic writing, documentaries, video blog series, podcast series, presentations and game audio articles. If a long running series has won in a previous year, it should get lower consideration in subsequent years.
BEST AUDIO MIX
VOTING GUIDELINES
A special judging panel will be created to look at and curate submissions, as well as select the winner. This panel should include those that have experience mixing or directing audio for non-linear and linear media.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The submission requirement for Best Audio Mix begins with a game capture video, no more than 6 minutes in length, that represents the overall audio experience and mix. Please note that the 5 final nominees for this category will be required to supply a copy or the game or code so that the game can be played by the judging panel.
BEST GAME MUSIC COVER/REMIX
VOTING GUIDELINES
This category is intended to award the year's best cover song or remix of music and themes from a previous video game. Voters should consider the piece as an interpretive creative arrangement in comparison to the original version.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Provide a link to the submission. Multiple tracks from the same release are discouraged because you will split your votes. Games from any commercially available platform are eligible.
BEST VR AUDIO
VOTING GUIDELINES
A special judging panel will be created to look at and curate submissions, as well as select the winner. This panel will include those that have some experience with VR and 3D audio, representing sound, music, and voice.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Submissions may be from the entire VR, MR, or AR spectrum on any commercially available hardware. A 6 minute game capture video of the game is required. This video should represent the general audio experience as best as possible, across the various areas of gameplay. Please note that the 5 final nominees for this category will be required to supply a copy or the game or code so that the game can be played by the judging panel.
NOTE: Only VR Games should be submitted. Non-game VR/AR/MR experiences will be removed from consideration.