2007-02-23

Zeebys Award Ceremony

Amsterdam, CGA Europe:West 2007

 

On the 2nd day of CGA: Europe West 2007 conference, which gathered more than 500 people from all of the leading casual game companies, new and old companies, big and small companies, garage and official ones, with 100 employees and with just one, the history of the first casual games awards has started in a cozy Amsterdam club.

  

Sandlot Games were sponsoring the event and it was strictly reserved for those who were officially invited by Zeebys and Casual Games Association. So, I remember that some people where even kicked out of the club for sneaking there without invitation.;)

 

People were drinking and guessing who'll take this or that nomination. Many shared for whom they voted in official industry voting. The nominated developers were walking around very proud and a bit worried about the final voting results.

 

Gabe (everyone knows Gabe, com'on!) and Joel, GameZebo's Chief who did an extensive amount of thing to make the Zeebys happen, made the first appearance on the small stage in an hour after the event officially started. Joel quickly left and Gabe invited to the stage as he said "Beautiful Alla" - Alla Khramtsova, CGA's advisor and CEO of a game developing company Absolutist Ltd ( we have featured several games from the guys), who presented to everyone the "Oscar" for casual gaming industry - Zeebys sign - a rectangular glass & plastic thing.

 

This year the winners could only take a picture with the sign, but hopefully next year each winner will get a separate "Oscar" as everyone hopes.

 

The first set of prizes was given as People's Choice Awards. These are the results of casual game players - the most trusted voting results:

 

Best Casual Game of the Year 2006

Super Collapse 3 (developed and published by GameHouse)

 

Best Arcade & Action Game of 2006

Diner Dash 2: Restaurant Rescue (developed and published by PlayFirst)

Kenny Dinkin, VP & Executive Producer seemed to be in rather reserved mood as everyone knew it couldn't have been a better choice of Best Arcade.;)

 

Best Puzzle Game of 2006

 

Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects (developed and published by BigFishGames)

 

Big applause and taking of the hats here...

 

Paul Thelen, BigFishGames's CEO (left) and one of MCF:Prime Suspects team are talking to GameZebo about their feelings...

 

That is to mention, since the time of MCF: Prime Suspects were released, Big Fish Games have created two more terrific click-and-find puzzles: MCF: Ravenhearst and Travelogue 360: Paris.

 

Best Strategy & Simulation Game of 2006

 

Virtual Villagers: a New Home (developed by LDW Software and published by BigFishGames)

 

"Really me?" (Arthur Humphrey of LDW Software, a very nice person by the way;)

 

It is to mention, during the recent months the company has been working on the second version of Virtual Villagers and now it is out: Virtual Villagers: The Lost Children.

 

Best Card, Board & Mahjong Game of 2006

 

Slingo Quest (developed and published by Funkitron)

 

Best Word & Trivia Game of 2006

  

Bookworm Adventures (developed and published by PopCap Games)

  

Happy Jason Kapalka, who will also become "the first inductee to the Casual Games Hall of Fame" in an hour after this picture was taken.

 

Jason Kapalka, a vice-president of PopCap Games, a company known for creating such ever-popular game titles as Zuma, Chuzzles, and other hit games.  

  

Craft Awards - game awards as voted by professionals of the industry:

 

In January all the members of Casual Games Association received a CD with more than 400 games to select from and vote at Zeebys website. And here are the results:

 

Best Audio of 2006

 

Luxor 2(developed and published by MumboJumbo)

 

Best Visual Arts of 2006

 

Luxor 2(developed and published by MumboJumbo).

 

 Mark Cottam, from Mumbo Jumbo, a happy owner of Zeeby award.

 

Best Game Design of 2006

Bookworm Adventures(developed and published by PopCap Games)

 

Best Story/Narrative of 2006

Bookworm Adventures (developed and published by PopCap Games)

 

Best Technology of 2006

Travelogue 360: Paris(developed and published by Big Fish Games)

 

These are the results. Though some of them are very unexpected, as too many prizes of Bookworm Adventures, the rest of the awards were quite predictable. The only sad thing is that you could only select one game, though there were so many great games that could have won more than one award...But it's life...And I wonder how different the list of winners will be in terms of brand games like Diner Dash, MCF, or Luxor 2 next year. Will we see the new names? Any suggestions?

 

 

      

 

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