Sweden consolidated its position as one of the strongest game development countries over the past decade with the industry viewed as a growing cultural export that employs 1,400 people in Sweden. In order to mark the achievement, an award for the Swedish game of the decade was presented to EA DICE and their World War 2 depiction - Battlefield 1942. The game which was released in 2002 changed the overall perception of online gaming. The Stockholm based developer also went home with the Game of the Year award for its current sequel - Battlefield 1943.
- With so many successful games over the years, I believe DICE and the Battlefield franchise have achieved a unique status not only within the Swedish video game market, but internationally. Their greatness is so extensive that they may shortly have a gravitational pull of their own," jury chairman Ove Kaufeldt said.
The Game of the Year Award went to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, an action adventure which sees the hero Nathan Drake is on the hunt for the lost treasure of Marco Polo. The Swedish people were also given the chance to vote for their game of the year in the People's choice award in collaboration with Pricerunner, CDON, GAME and Webhallen. The people chose Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - which won with 23 percent of the votes.
This year, the MDTS Honorary Award went to Heikki Karbing - who ran HK Electronics, one of the most successful importers of games in the 80s as well as accounting for over 70 percent of game sales in Sweden. HK Electronics garnered great success in 1988 with racing classic Out Run, which sold over 20 000 copies following its release on the Commodore 64. In the same year, Karbing's company rose to prominence as the world's best gaming distributor of Activision. For his pioneering work in helping define and spread word of gaming culture as well as his courage to stand up against piracy - Heikki Karbing has been awarded the honorary prize.
Winners from the Swedish Video Game Awards 2010
Swedish Game of the Decade: Battlefield
1942
Justification: September 2002 is a month we will have a hard
time forgetting. Sweden went to war and conquered. A new era of
progress and success was ushered in within the game development
sector, with DICE as the proud flag bearer. For helping firmly
establish Sweden on the map and forever changing the online gaming
landscape, we recognize Battlefield 1942 as the Swedish Game of the
Decade.
Game of the Year: Uncharted 2: Among
Thieves
Justification: 2009's game of the year is a dramatic matinee,
an adrenaline fuelled action spectacular that's a feast for the
eyes and senses. It is a brilliantly scripted adventure that
appeals to everyone.
Swedish Game of the Year: Battlefield
1943
Justification: Through the use of feeling and technology, this
year's Swedish Game of the Year shows the world that Swedish
developed games stand for quality and a love for the gamer who
wants to share the experience with others.
Swedish Talent of the Year: Erik Svedäng
Justification: He is a Swedish creator who despite limited
resources has received critical acclaim both locally and
internationally. In 2009, he became synonymous with interactive
poetry in motion and led us through a secret indie garden populated
with random meetings - a world we never tire of exploring.
Action Game of the Year: Uncharted 2: Among
Thieves
Justification: Its ability to enthral and captivate the player
with its superb story, jaw dropping visuals and a leading man whose
all action performance is enough to force Indiana Jones into
retirement.
Social Game of the Year: New Super Mario Bros
Wii
Justification: Without much of an overhaul, the game has been
able to retain its retro feeling whilst adding new fun innovations
- thus making one of the worlds's acclaimed solo gaming experiences
a social gaming pleasure.
Online Game of the Year: Call of Duty: Modern
Warfare 2
Justification: For its easy accessibility and depth which
offers many possibilities with few limitations. Playing online has
never been so rewarding.
Platform Game of the Year: New Super Mario Bros
Wii
Justification: It's been proven that old age not only comes
with experience, but it also refreshes genres with new innovations
- provided lessons are learnt from past iterations.
Portable Game of the Year: Grand Theft Auto:
Chinatown Wars
Justification: This game gives a whole new meaning to the
word, 'small time crook' because it is a criminally
underappreciated portable little gem.
Racing Game of the Year: Forza Motorsport
3
Justification: The higher the speeds and greater the demands,
the more precision is needed to create a winner. And rarely has
that demand and expectation been matched as in the gaming world's
own muscle car.
RPG of the Year: Dragon Age: Origins
Justification: Classic role playing combined with a well
crafted adventure in a world of dragons and demons show that when
role playing returns to its roots, the genre is hard to
top.
Sports Game of the Year: Fifa 10
Justification: Rarely has perspiration stank so little, but
meant so much as when 80,000 fans cheer you as a winner.
Strategy Game of the Year: Empire: Total
War
Justification: The 17th century author and
satirist, Jonathan Swift was once quoted as saying, 'War!' That mad
game the world so loves to play,' it's only when playing this game
we begin to understand what he means.
Kids Game of the Year: Scribblenauts
Justification: An educational tool designed to help kids
develop an appreciation for words, while guiding them through an
immersive gaming experience.
People's Choice Award: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Special Category:
Launch of the Year: Call of Duty: Modern
Warfare 2
Justification: The campaign was successful in generating
interest and building up the hype. This resulted in early bookings
and culminated in good exposure at both retail outlets and public
places - along with wide PR and a strong presence online
makes Modern Warfare 2 the launch event of the year.
Retailer of the Year: GAME
Justification: Creative, good looking, well presented exposure
and excellent in-store competence, decent online presence as well
as Christmas and summer catalogues dripping with love for gaming
makes GAME the retailer of the year.
MDTS Honorary Award 2010: Heikki Karbing
Justification: He headed one of the most successful games
import businesses which sold half a million games a year in Sweden
and in 1988 was voted the best distributor in the world. For his
pioneering work in helping define and spread word of gaming culture
as well as his courage to stand up against piracy Heikki Karbing
has been awarded the honorary prize.