The votes have been counted, and It Takes Two, a cooperative platforming journey where players control a couple going through a divorce that takes a fantastical turn, was named the Game of the Year at the 25th D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Awards. Hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), members of the interactive entertainment industry gathered this evening at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas to celebrate the best achievements of 2021, crowning winners in 23 different categories.
The D.I.C.E. Awards are held annually by the AIAS, the game industry’s 30,000-member non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the interactive arts.
“We are thrilled to celebrate a special 25th edition of the D.I.C.E. Awards by honoring our past legacy as well as bringing together interactive entertainment industry members to celebrate creators who continue to amaze us all with their talent, passion, and perseverance,” says Meggan Scavio, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences president. “On behalf of the Academy, congratulations to all of the incredible 2021 nominees and winners chosen by their peers.”
The night honored multiple industry leaders, including Ed Boon (NetherRealm Studios), who was the 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, and Phil Spencer (Microsoft Gaming), who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony included industry professionals who attended the event live for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and game fans worldwide who tuned in via livestream from media partner IGN. The Awards were emceed by six-time co-hosts Greg Miller, co-founder of the internet video show and podcast Kinda Funny, and Jessica Chobot, co-host of Expedition X on the Discovery Channel.
The complete list of winners is below:
Game of the Year
It Takes Two
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
Deathloop
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
It Takes Two
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Outstanding Achievement in Character
Resident Evil Village - Lady Dimitrescu
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
Returnal
Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design
Returnal
Outstanding Achievement in Story
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Outstanding Technical Achievement
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Action Game of the Year
Halo Infinite
Adventure Game of the Year
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Family Game of the Year
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Fighting Game of the Year
GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-
Racing Game of the Year
Forza Horizon 5
Role-Playing Game of the Year
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
Sports Game of the Year
Mario Golf: Super Rush
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Age of Empires IV
Online Game of the Year
Halo Infinite
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement
Lone Echo II
Immersive Reality Game of the Year
Lone Echo II
Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game
Unpacking
Mobile Game of the Year
Pokémon UNITE