BAFTA names Super Mario Galaxy ‘best game’

As the video game continues to earn respect as an electronic form of art the number of award shows specific to the medium have also gained respect and recognition both stateside and abroad.‚  Great video games are limited not by geographic or cultural boundaries thus allowing them international renown.

The major video game award show in the United States, the Video Game Awards, hosted by Spike television this past December, was an extravagant, star-studded event that has helped fuel the excitement in the medium.

Just yesterday, across the pond, the British Academy Video Game Awards took place naming the gravity defying Super Mario Galax ‘best game’, while Grand Theft Auto IV, which earned seven nominations in a number of categories, left with no hardware.

The every-day gamer had a say at this year’s award show as well with the “People’s choice award,” based on number of votes placed on the BAFTA website, and the winner? Call of Duty 4, a 2007 release, but shhh, I won’t say anything if you don’t.

Full list of categories and winners below.

Best Action & Adventure Game
Fable II

Best Artistic Achievement
LittleBigPlanet

Best Casual Game
Boom Blox

Best Gameplay
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Best Handheld Game
Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Best Multiplayer Game
Left 4 Dead

Best Original Score
Dead Space

Best Sports Game
Race Driver: GRID

Best Strategy Game
Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution

Best Story & Character
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Best Technical Achievement
Spore

Best Use of Audio
Dead Space

BAFTA Ones to Watch Award
Boro-Toro

Head on over to the BAFTA official site for a full list of nominees and exclusive videos.