EMA Video Game Award Nominees Announced

The Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) has announced the nominees for its 2007 Video Game Home Entertainment Awards, which recognize the best games across all console platforms. While prior years saw the organization presenting just three game awards for the best titles across the major console platforms, this year the EMA has expanded the awards to include all major platforms and a variety of genres, including action/adventure, casual, children/family, fighting, racing, RPG/strategy and shooter/military games. Awards will also be presented for best graphics, most innovative game, and best game of the year. A total of 85 nominees across 18 different categories were recognized by the awards, including game of the year nods for Gears of War, Guitar Hero II, World of Warcraft, God of War II, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Winners will be announced during the EMA's Video Game Retailers' Council Event, scheduled for May 22. Epic's Gears of War topped all other awards nominees, with additional nominations for the Xbox 360 game of the year, best shooter/military game, and best graphics. In March, the Xbox 360 exclusive was honored with the Best Game award at the Game Developers Choice Awards. Several other titles were recognized by the EMA across multiple categories, including Activision's popular rhythm game Guitar Hero II, which was nominated for as the casual game of the year alongside other titles such as Brain Age, Viva Pinata, and Wii Sports. Other titles recognized multiple times included Madden NFL 07, Resistance: Fall of Man, Final Fantasy XII, and Rainbow Six Vegas. A full list of nominees is available at the EMA's official website. “Video games are mainstream entertainment and are enjoyed by people of all ages every day,” noted EMA President Bo Andersen. “As the games have become even more innovative and creative, they have engaged the interest of millions of consumers. The retailers who sell and rent video games are very excited to honor the outstanding products in the marketplace.”