The Game Awards 2016: ‘Overwatch,’ 'Doom,’ ’Pokemon GO,’ ‘Unchartered 4’ Score Big Wins; Bethesda, Blizzard & Niantic Scoop Top Honors

By Tony Park - 02 Dec '16 10:40AM

Bethesda Softworks, Niantic, and Blizzard Entertainment reigned supreme at The Game Awards 2016 that was held at Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California last night. Blizzard's "Overwatch" took the Game of the Year (GOTY) and Best Game Direction honors while Bethesda's "Doom" received the Best Music/Sound Design and Best Action Game recognitions.

The Games Awards was broadcast via live streaming on various digital channels such as Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, Xbox Live, YouTube and PlayStation Network. Forbes" magazine's Paul Tassi live blogged the event which saw "Overwatch," "Titanfall 2," and "Doom" battling for the GOTY award.

Niantic's "Pokemon GO" was declared as the Best Mobile/Handheld Game edging out close rival "Clash Royale" as well as "Severed" and "Fire Emblem Fates." The Games Awards 2016 gave the Best Action trophy to "Doom", which is a collaboration between id Software and Bethesda.

Another Bethesda co-project, "Dishonored 2," bagged a major award, the Best Action/Adventure Game. The Maryland-based publisher worked with Arkane Studios to design this title. Heavy favorite "Unchartered 4: Thief's End" lost in this category of The Games Award 2016.

Best Role-Playing Game went to CD Projekt RED's "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Blood and Wine." Blizzard's "World of Warcraft" and Bandai Namco Entertainment/FromSoftware's "Dark Souls 3" are also under this tight-raced category.

Again, Niantic's "Pokemon GO" was declared as the Best Family Game. Its co-nominees include Square Enix's "Dragon Quest Builders," TT Fusion/WBIE's "Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Sony Interactive Entertainment/Insomniac Games Sony's "Ratchet & Clank."

The Game Awards was founded by Canadian video game journalist and television presenter Geoff Keighley in 2014 to recognize achievements in the video game industry. The annual event features the debuts of new titles and offers an in-depth look at previously announced games. The 2014 and 2015 GOTY winners were "Dragon Age: Inquisition" and "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt."

For the full list of this year's winners, the website "Polygon" outlined them on its page. The Game Awards 2016's official YouTube telecast can be seen below.