Edge, the videogame magazine published by the Future media group, has announced the recipients of the 2008 Edge Awards, presented each year to those titles influencing the industry and changing players’ expectations.

The big winner of 2008 is the PlayStation 3 exclusive LittleBigPlanet, created by Media Molecule and published by Sony. The title was named the Best Game of 2008, with Fable II from Lionhead and Microsoft and GTA IV, from Take Two and Rockstar, being the runners up. Edge pointed out to LittleBigPLanet's “ability to entertain and engross everyone, from children to adults, prospective game designers to daydreaming tinkerers.” The Best Developer award went to Media Molecule, ahead of Criterion Games and Rockstar, and the videogame also gained awards for Best Innovation and Best Visual Design.

Tony Mott, who is Editor-in-Chief of Edge, stated that “In a year dominated by quality sequels, LittleBigPlanet stood apart thanks to its unique audiovisual design and its open-ended architecture, which gives users tools to create their own entertainment which can be shared online with the world. It is the most playful game of 2008, and its ability to capture the imaginations of everyone, not just established gamers, was fundamental in it earning Edge’s ultimate award this year.”

Dead Space won the award given out for Best Audio Design, with GTA IV and No More Heroes being the runners up, while the Xbox 360 gaming console from Microsoft received the award for Best Hardware with Microsoft Game Studios being named Best Publisher, with Electronic Arts and Sony Computer Entertainment just missing out on the same recognition.

Left 4 Dead, from Valve, received an award for offering the Best Online Experience, ahead of LittleBigPlanet and Gears of War 2. Fallout 3 from Bethesda was the biggest title missing from the Edge Awards.