14 DAY TRIAL // The organizers of the 2015 Game Developers Conference are announcing that Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is the most nominated title for the upcoming Choice Awards, which are awarded based on votes cast by members of the gaming industry.
The ceremony which will reveal the actual winners is set to take place on Wednesday, March 4 of this year, at the San Francisco Moscone Center, and the Independent Games Festival Awards will be offered at the same time.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is the front-runner at the moment, with nominations for Game of the Year, Innovation, Best Design, Best Narrative, and Best Technology.
The open world title was created by Monolith Productions and was published by Warner Bros.
The title has managed to surprise many gamers and reviewers with its take on the classic Tolkien universe and by introducing an open world structure that also uses some very solid combat mechanics.
Other solid contenders include Alien: Isolation from The Creative Assembly and SEGA and Destiny from Bungie and Activision.
The organizers add, “Both finalists and winners are selected by the Game Developers Choice Awards-specific International Choice Awards Network (ICAN), which is an invitation-only organization, comprised of leading game creators from all parts of the industry.”
Here is the full list of nominations for the 2015 Game Developers Choice Awards
Game of the Year
Bayonetta 2 - Platinum Games and Nintendo Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor - Monolith Productions and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Destiny - Bungie and Activision Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft - Blizzard Alien: Isolation - Creative Assembly and Sega
The honorable mentions include: Titanfall, Valiant Hearts: The Great War, Far Cry 4, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Innovation Award
Bounden Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor This War of Mine The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Monument Valley
Honorable Mentions: Crypt of the Necrodancer, Extrasolar, Elite: Dangerous, Elegy For A Dead World, 80 Days.
Best Debut
Yacht Club Games - Shovel Knight Respawn Entertainment - Titanfall The Astronauts - The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Stoic Studio - The Banner Saga Upper One Games - Never Alone
Honorable Mentions: Dynamighty - CounterSpy, Hinterland Games - The Long Dark, 1337 & Senri - Leo's Fortune, MachineGames - Wolfenstein: The New Order, Hipster Whale - Crossy Road.
Best Design
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Shovel Knight Dragon Age: Inquisition Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Hearthstone
Honorable Mentions: Mario Kart 8, Alien: Isolation, Destiny, Monument Valley, Far Cry 4.
Best Handheld/Mobile Game
Threes! Super Smash Bros. 3DS Hearthstone 80 Days Monument Valley
Honorable Mentions: Bounden, Bravely Default, Desert Golfing, Velocity 2X, Fantasy Life.
Best Visual Art
Monument Valley Hohokum Child of Light Bayonetta 2 Alien: Isolation
Honorable Mentions: Never Alone, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, Transistor, Broken Age: Act 1, Destiny.
Best Narrative
80 Days This War of Mine Kentucky Route Zero: Episode 3 Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Honorable Mentions: Dragon Age: Inquisition, Valiant Hearts: The Great War, Tales From The Borderlands: Episode 1, D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die, Hatoful Boyfriend.
Best Audio
Alien: Isolation Hohokum Destiny Transistor The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Honorable Mentions: Child of Light, Far Cry 4, D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die, Bayonetta 2, Crypt of the Necrodancer.
Best Technology
Destiny Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Wolfenstein: The New Order Elite: Dangerous Far Cry 4
Honorable Mentions: Assassin's Creed Unity), The Last of Us: Remastered), Sunset Overdrive, Alien: Isolation, Infamous: Second Son.
At the ceremony, the organizers will also reveal the recipients of the special Pioneer, Ambassador and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
In February, gamers will also be able to vote on a special section of Audience Awards that will also be presented during the March 4 event.
