Gears of War Wins Big at GDC

Last night was a big happy time for Gears of War, and not just because I hosted a game party.  Three Game Developers Choice Awards - sexy scamps that they are - decided to go home with Marcus Fenix and friends.  Though visual arts and technology are nice things to be remembered for, the big prize, "best game", has to be the one that Epic staffers are waving in the faces of the competition.

There was a time when I feared that "over-hyped third-person shooter everyone keeps talking about" couldn't help but disappoint the thousands of fans waiting slavishly for Emergence day.  Several million copies later, the game is not just a street-level success, but it's even getting props in the inner sanctum of game devs.

I know one or two industry insiders who sneered at Gears even after it came out for its limited multiplayer options, short campaign and 2-dimensional characters.  Well, a GDC award is 3-dimensional cred.  Burn!  (wait, a GDC award is a physical thing, right?)