14 DAY TRIAL // The UK games industry this week applauded its hardest working and best performing companies at the fourth annual MCV Industry Excellence Awards.
Following on from its successes at the event 12 months earlier, Nintendo won the most individual awards on the night - namely PR Team, New Games Brand (Nintendogs), TV Campaign (DS) and Marketing Team.
Another big winner was THQ, which capped a fantastic 12 months in the UK by picking up Most Improved Company and the much sought after Best Sales Team award.
Sony Computer Entertainment, meanwhile, won the most prestigious award of all, the Grand Prix, in recognition of its commercial success, innovation and business management. Over the course of 12 months, SCE UK has overseen the launch of the PSP and taken it to a million unit installed base, whilst pushing the PS2 console up to historic UK sales of eight million. SCE UK also introduced innovative new brands such as Buzz! and further developed the Singstar and EyeToy lines into ranges, with a number one via God of War to boot.
Amongst the retail awards, GameStation just pipped GAME to Entertainment Retailer of the Year, with accolades also going to fast-growing indie ePlay, ever improving HMV, Argos and EUK.
SCI was a popular winner of the Unsung Hero for keeping a famous games publishing name British with its acquisition last year of Eidos.
Future's Edge magazine comfortably won Magazine Team of the Year following increased sales and strong editorial.
"The UK games industry is at the very cutting edge of gaming as well as being a commercial success with a worth to the UK economy of around ?2 billion each year. We lead the world at marketing, retail, development and media within the sector. This year's winners should be very proud," commented Stuart Dinsey, publisher of MCV and managing director of Intent Media. "And with around 600 people in attendance, what a night! We're looking forward to next year's event already."
RETAIL Independent Retailer - ePlay Entertainment Retailer - GameStation General Retailer - Argos Online Experience - Play.com Most Improved Retailer - HMV Retail Buying Team - EUK
PEOPLE & INDUSTRY PR Team - Nintendo Sales Team - THQ UK Development Team - Bizarre Creations Magazine Team - Edge Distribution Team - Centresoft Newcomer - Buena Vista Games Unsung Hero - SCI Most Improved Company - THQ
MARKETING New Games Brand - Nintendogs (Nintendo) Trade Marketing - Microsoft (Xbox 360) TV Campaign - Nintendo DS (Nintendo) Games Brand - Pro Evolution (Konami) Games Publisher - Electronic Arts Marketing Team - Nintendo Grand Prix Award - Sony Computer Entertainment