Third person shooter Gears of War has scooped the "Ultimate Game of the Year Award" at the Golden Joysticks. The title sold more than 3 million copies in 10 weeks and won three more awards including Xbox game of the year and the editors choice. Other winners included the multiple Bafta award winning Wii Sports which took home the best family game award. The awards, now in their 25th year, are awarded in 18 categories and are voted for by UK gamers. Nearly three quarters of a million gamers cast votes.
Most of the games that took home prizes differ from those that won Bafta awards this year. The Baftas are chosen by a panel of expert judges. The only games to take home prizes at both ceremonies were Wii Sports and God of War II. Both sets of prizes also snubbed Sony"s latest console, the PlayStation 3 (PS3). No PS3 titles won at the Baftas, whilst the only game that can be played on the PS3 to win a Golden Joystick was Assassin"s Creed. The multiplatform game took home the one to watch award. Other notable winners at the London Ceremony included Guitar Hero II which took two awards for best soundtrack and girl"s choice, and Nintendo which took home publisher of the year and the innovation award for its Wii console. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess won best Nintendo game.