We often focus on the games development side of things, and trumpet when games are released for your playing pleasure – but there’s an aspect of the games industry that we often overlook, even though we sometimes unwittingly function as part of it; marketing and PR. Though I prefer to keep the marketing and PR out of the limelight, it’s an integral part of the industry – and it’s the reason why a great many consumers end up buying the games they do.
The work of marketers and public relations folk in the games industry is, like everything else, subject to awards, pomp and ceremony. The Game Marketing Awards 2015 were dished out yesterday to celebrate “the best practices in marketing, promotion and advertising for the video gaming and interactive entertainment community.”
Here’s who worked hardest to sell you games. Ubisoft won best marketing team of the year for a second year running – and it’s well deserved. They convinced people to buy Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed Unity, afterall.
Game Marketing Agency of the Year
- Ant Farm
Marketing Team of the Year
- Ubisoft
Outstanding TV or Theatrical Ad
- Titanfall “Shadow”
Heat
Funniest Video Asset
- Madden Season
Heat
Outstanding Promotional Trailer
- Assassin’s Creed Unity E3 Trailer – Lorde CG Video
Ubisoft
Outstanding Promotional Trailer – Mobile Games
- Marvel Contest of Champions New York ComicCon Trailer
Kabam, Inc.
Best Game Footage Trailer
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Reveal
Ant Farm
Best Long Format Featuring Promotional Content
- Madden Season
Heat
Best Use of Music in a Promotional Piece
- Assassin’s Creed Unity E3 Trailer – Lorde CG Video
Ubisoft
Outstanding Overall Marketing Campaign – Core Games
- Destiny
Ant Farm with 72andSunny
Outstanding Overall Marketing Campaign – Family Games
- Kinect Sports Rivals Launch Campaign
Xbox
Outstanding Marketing – Free to Play
- PlanetSide 2
Sony Online Entertainment
Outstanding Overall Advertising Campaign
- Forza Horizon 2 – Launch Campaign
Xbox
Standout Outdoor Advertising
- Gorehowl Cab
Blizzard Entertainment
Best Box Art (Standard Game Version)
- Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth Box Art
2K
Best Limited Edition, Special Edition or Collector’s Edition
- Destiny Ghost Edition
Petrol Advertising
Best Showing at a Trade or Consumer Event
- Murdered: Soul Suspect Pax Video Stunt
Square Enix America / Midnight Oil
Best Retail Marketing Campaign
- Skylanders Trap Team – Retail Marketing Campaign
Activision / Midnight Oil
Best Website for a Product
- Watch Dogs Digital Shadow
Ubisoft/AKQA
Best Use of Sound Design
- Asassin’s Creed Sit Back TV Spot
Ubisoft
Best Copywriting for a Marketing Asset
- Middleearth: Shadow of Mordor #OrcTakeover
Edelman & Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment
Best Editing for a Video Asset
- Far Cry 4 – Story
Ant Farm
Best Cg for a Video Asset
- Watch Dogs TV AdCG
Ubisoft/ Cutwater LLC/ Digic Pictures
Best Product Announcement
- Evolve Announcement
Team One / 2K
Thinking Outside of the Box
- GIFerator
Heat/Grow
Favorite Trailer: Fan Voted
- Borderlands: The PreSequel
2K
Here’s the Lorde Assassin’s Creed trailer that did so well:
The Titanfall “Shadow” trailer
The rather funny Madden one:
The Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare reveal trailer
and the Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel fan favourite trailer:
As with some other awards and their related ceremonies, this one should be taken lightly; they require paid entry to be considered for eligibility.
Last Updated: April 23, 2015
Umar
April 23, 2015 at 12:33
Madden trailer was really good though. I’m slightly biased because I love Kevin Hart.
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 12:42
So would you say you, hart him? 😛
Umar
April 23, 2015 at 12:51
No…NO!!!!
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 12:53
Aw, you and Kevin be all like:
https://31.media.tumblr.com/9cf9fe11f397ef6c16cf3709d1a59e6b/tumblr_inline_n5ctzrl5Hq1qz7p2b.jpg
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 12:52
Splooshypooh
April 23, 2015 at 12:47
He was so great on the roast 🙂
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 12:51
He was XD
Umar
April 23, 2015 at 12:52
Lol I didn’t like the roast at all, was just a Bieber PR stunt but he was good though.
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 12:53
Charlie Sheen’s roast will always be no.1
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 12:36
hehe @ tags.
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 12:42
You rock Geoff.
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 12:44
He rocks Music on: Electric Guitar on 3DS. Must have been fun reviewing that.
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 12:46
The audio quality must’ve been exceptional.
Splooshypooh
April 23, 2015 at 12:47
XD
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 12:43
No “swindler” or “nickle and dime” category?
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 12:46
EA would win that one though, no contest. Kind of like F1 10 or so years ago. #1 was always M. Schumaker.
RustedFaith
April 23, 2015 at 17:50
I would say 2k will take it with Evolve.
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 23, 2015 at 12:48
Dat Planetside 2!!!
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 12:51
Finally, some recognition
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 23, 2015 at 13:09
When last did YOU play?
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 13:25
*flies away
Sageville
April 23, 2015 at 14:17
Best response eva
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 14:18
XD
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 12:59
Paid entry?! http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m85e8mw00m1rqfhi2o1_250.gif
Greylingad
April 23, 2015 at 13:01
Having just finished watching House of Cards season 2… Dat Kevin Spacey…
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 13:03
Still need to watch!
Greylingad
April 23, 2015 at 13:05
Geez Louise!! Man, that series… Just… Wow! The American political system wouldn’t make sense at first if you haven’t seen how their parliament works, but dammit….Just… Amazing…Especially Spacey…That dude…
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 13:05
I think I’ll start next week. Have the first two seasons and also have a week off work!
Greylingad
April 23, 2015 at 13:09
Hehehe, you won’t regret it man! The whole week!? Sheesh!! Enjoy it man!!
Her Highness the Hipster
April 23, 2015 at 13:02
that madden ad is too cool – wish i liked that game! also, the lorde ACU trailer still gives me goosebumps even knowing the launch was crap.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
April 23, 2015 at 13:13
That Assassins Creed Unity trailer with all those assassin fan made skins? Best trailer ever. I’m sure that Ubisoft just ask the marketing team what they can sell the shit out of. And then the marketing team tells them what PR nonsense to pull. Because even though I know Unity is a horribad game… after I watch that trailer I want to buy it.
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 14:25
how is this judged for marketing effectiveness?