The Last of Us leads D.I.C.E awards with 13 nominations

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Science have announced the nominations for the 17th annual D.I.C.E Awards, with The Last of Us leading the pack with 13 nominations.

Having already scooped up numerous awards, including Game of the Year, Studio of the Year, Best Story and more, Naughty Dog’s apocalyptic survival-thriller is up for 13 awards including Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction, Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Outstanding Character Performance, Outstanding Achievement in Innovation and 8 other impressive categories

The Last of Us launched in May 2013 to worldwide critical acclaim for its emotional story and immersive environments and sold 3.4 million copies three weeks after launch.

The game’s main competitor for Game of the Year, Grand Theft Auto V, is nominated in 7 categories that also include Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction, Outstanding Character Performance and Outstanding Achievement in Innovation.

The Last of Us and Grand Theft Auto V have been trading victories for Game of the Year for months now, with The Last of Us just barely ahead with five wins compared to GTA V’s four wins.

However, it wasn’t just The Last of Us’ and GTA V’s achievements that were recognised. Bioshock Infinite is up for an impressive 6 awards whilst Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is nominated in 5 categories.

Quantic Dream’s Beyond: Two Souls also gained 3 nominations themselves for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition, Outstanding Achievement in Story and Outstanding Achievement in Animation.

Crystal Dynamics’ beautifully rebooted Tomb Raider received 2 nominations for Outstanding Achievement in Story and Adventure Game of the Year whilst The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds received three nominations, also for Adventure Game of the Year as well as Handheld Game of the Year and Game of the Year.

Many more amazing games from 2013 are nominated in over 20 categories.

Martin Rae, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, said in a press releasE: “The games from 2013 are a mix of memorable, small footprint independent games and true blockbusters from the past console generation as they wind down in high style with notable games like Grand Theft Auto V, The Last of Us and Bioshock: Infinite.”

“Each year our voters grapple with a surplus of impactful games, and 2013 was no different with its selection of stunning visuals, innovative gameplay and challenging narratives. It is an honor for the Academy to celebrate such a talented group of creators and their respective work at the D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony!”

The 17th annual D.I.C.E (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Awards take place February 6th at The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas at the end of the D.I.C.E Summit convention. Starting at 7:30pm PT and 10:30pm ET (3:30am UK time), the event will be broadcasted online.

The full list of nominations and categories can be found below.

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
Beyond: Two Souls
BioShock Infinite
Puppeteer
rain
Rayman Legends

Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
Battlefield 4
BioShock Infinite
God of War: Ascension
Grand Theft Auto 5
The Last of Us

Outstanding Achievement in Story
Beyond: Two Souls
BioShock Infinite
The Last of Us
The Novelist
Tomb Raider

Outstanding Character Performance
Grand Theft Auto 5 — Trevor
Ryse — Marius Titus
The Last of Us — Ellie
The Last of Us — Joel
The Stanley Parable — Narrator

Downloadable Game of the Year
Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Gone Home
Papers, Please
The Stanley Parable

Casual Game of the Year
Candy Box
Peggle 2
Plants vs. Zombies 2
Rayman Fiesta Run
Ridiculous Fishing – A Tale of Redemption

Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year
Diablo 3
Dota 2
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Pokémon X and Y

Outstanding Innovation in Gaming
Grand Theft Auto 5
Papers, Please
Tearaway
The Last of Us
The Stanley Parable

Sports Game of the Year
FIFA 14
Madden NFL 25
MLB 13 The Show
NBA 2K14
NHL 14

Racing Game of the Year
Forza Motorsport 5
Gran Turismo 6
Grid 2
Need for Speed Rivals
Real Racing 3

Fighting Game of the Year
Divekick
Injustice: Gods Among Us
Killer Instinct

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Europa Universalis 4
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Sid Meier’s Civilization 5: Brave New World
StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm
XCOM: Enemy Within

Family Game of the Year
Disney Infinity
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
Rayman Legends
Skylanders Swap Force
Super Mario 3D World

Mobile Game of the Year
Fetch
Flick Kick Football Legends
Plants vs. Zombies 2
Ridiculous Fishing – A Tale of Redemption
The Wolf Among Us

Handheld Game of the Year
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Pokémon X and Y
Tearaway
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Adventure Game of the Year
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Tearaway
The Last of Us
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Tomb Raider

Online Game of the Year
Battlefield 4
Borderlands 2
Diablo 3
The Last of Us
World of Tanks

Action Game of the Year
Battlefield 4
BioShock Infinite
Dead Rising 3
DmC: Devil May Cry
Resogun

Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Beyond: Two Souls
Puppeteer
Rayman Legends
The Last of Us

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
BioShock Infinite
Puppeteer
Rayman Legends
Tearaway
The Last of Us

Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Battlefield 4
Grand Theft Auto 5
Ryse
The Last of Us

Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Forza Motorsport 5
Grand Theft Auto 5
Super Mario 3D World
The Last of Us 

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons
Grand Theft Auto 5
Papers, Please
Tearaway
The Last of Us

Game of the Year
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
BioShock Infinite
Grand Theft Auto 5
The Last of Us
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds