The player

There were few surprises at this year's Golden Joysticks, writes CIARA O'BRIEN

EVERY INDUSTRY has its award ceremonies. The movies have the Oscars. Music has the Grammys. And the games industry has the Golden Joystick Awards.

The Golden Joysticks (goldenjoystick.com) are voted for by gamers, rather than an expert panel. It’s the oldest running awards for gaming, set up in 1982.

They’ve certainly proven popular. Aside from being a major fixture on the games calendar, the Golden Joysticks attracted 1.54 million votes in 2010.

The awards have evolved as new categories in gaming emerge. While handheld games have been recognised for some years, a separate mobile game category was established in 2007. A music games category has also made an appearance, as has download game of the year and a “free to play” category.

The latest Golden Joystick gongs were handed out last week in London, and for the most part there were few surprises.

In the past, winners of the overall award have included Mass Effect 2(2010), Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare(2008) and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City(2003). This year's honour went to Portal 2– not quite the usual genre that picks up that award, but a well-deserved winner. The first-person, puzzle-platform game beat the likes of LA Noire, Killzone 3, Call of Duty: Black Opsand Starcraft IIto be named Ultimate Game of the Year.

The Assassin's Creedseries picked up an award for the second year running, scooping Action/Adventure game for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

Nominees in the Best Shooter category spanned everything from horror and film tie-ins to historical, both real life, alternate and sci-fi. Call of Duty: Black Opseventually prevailed, but there was tough competition from Dead Space 2, Medal of Honorand Halo Reach.

Rovio continues to dominate the mobile games world, with Angry Birds Riopicking up the award for the best mobile game. Runners-up included Infinity Blade, Cut the Ropeand Fruit Ninja.

The awards don't just celebrate the good and the great that are already available. If you are looking for hints about future hits, the Golden Joystick "One to Watch" award should give you a clue. This year it went to Bethesda's Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Other nominees included Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Uncharted 3and Rockstar's Agent.

theplayer@irishtimes.com