Pondering a Hugo for Video Games

[alias_sqbr]

Having been thinking about the Hugos it occurred to me that video games aren't eligible. After discussing it with Cam we agreed that while the odd game might be worthy of one there isn't generally enough of them in any given year to justify a whole category.

Still, it was fun trying to list games (from all time, not just this year) we felt were worthy of at least being nominated. Cam was initially only allowing games he felt had a plot as good as a Hugo award winning novel, but I pointed out that tv, movies, and art all have their own categories, so imo a winning game should be a combination of good sff ideas, plot, art, feel etc as well as, of course, a good game. (Here's the recent long-form drama winners which I think is the closest category)

So, the ones we thought of:
The Myst games, especially Riven
Gabriel Knight 2 and 3
Bioshock
Several of the Final Fantasy games (my vote's for X but I'm a sucker for humanist fantasy)

Haven't played but seem like they might be suitable:
Half Life 2
Fallout 3
Mass Effect
Dead Space
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

Some related stuff I found by poking around:
Wired: Hugo Awards Overdue For A Videogame Category
10 videogames that redefine science fiction

Comments

[deathwombat.livejournal.com]

I'd like to nominate Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

It had a pretty interesting and thought provoking plot, elements of SF that weren't too far-fetched, realistic gameplay (Snake could get dizzy if you roll around too much in the barrel and being practically an octogenerian, back cramps as well a psyche meter which if depleted resulted in panic attacks), a combination of modern and retro art styles, it had a lot of high tension moments as you snuck across battlefields trying to avoid both sides, epic boss fights and it even had a monkey.

[alias_sqbr]

I've heard interesting things about the Metal Gear games, since they're not the sort of thing I or Cam plays I don't know a lot but they obviously inspire intense fannishness.

[angriest.livejournal.com]

Metal Gear is... very odd. I think to fully embrace them you have to be the sort of gamer who likes having your gaming experience interrupted for a 45 minute cut scene.

[alias_sqbr]

Well, I am a fan of the Final Fantasy games... :)

[angriest.livejournal.com]

Trust me - Final Fantasy has nothing on the length of the Metal Gear cut-scenes. : )