Gears Takes Home Three G.A.N.G. Awards

Non profit organization the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) has announced the winners of its 5th annual G.A.N.G. Awards, with Gears of War taking home three awards, including best audio. The awards event, held at the Game Developers Conference and hosted by G.A.N.G. founder Tommy Tallarico and president Paul Lipson, featured performances including industry veterans like the original LucasArts music team and Charles Martinet, the voice of Nintendo's Mario. Red Steel composer Tom Salta also performed with DJ Charlie Malone using Nintendo Wii remotes to trigger sound effects. Legendary Nintendo composer Koji Kondo, musician on such titles as Mario, Zelda and Star Fox was also in attendance to receive G.A.N.G's Lifetime Achievement Award for his body of work over the past 2 decades. The full list of winners for the 5th annual G.A.N.G. Awards are as follows: AUDIO OF THE YEAR - Gears of War BEST ARRANGEMENT OF A NON-ORIGINAL SCORE - The Godfather BEST ARRANGEMENT OF A NON-ORIGINAL SCORE - Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams BEST AUDIO - OTHER - Cartoon Networks Re-animated: Fit to be Pie'd BEST CINEMATIC/CUT-SCENE AUDIO - Gears of War BEST DIALOGUE - 24: The Game BEST GAME AUDIO ARTICLE, PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST - 2006 GDC Audio Boot Camp - Scott Selfon BEST INTERACTIVE SCORE - Need for Speed: Carbon BEST USE OF LICENSED MUSIC - Guitar Hero II BEST ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTAL - "Titan" - Paraworld BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM - Halo 2: Volume Two BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL SONG - CHORAL - "Baba Yetu" - Civilization IV BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL SONG - POP - "Dr. Kunkle's Funnkle Cake" - Thrillville MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF AUDIO - Guitar Hero II MUSIC OF THE YEAR - Tomb Raider: Legend ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Christopher Tin SOUND DESIGN OF THE YEAR - Gears of War BEST USE OF MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND IN A GAME - Call of Duty 3 G.A.N.G. RECOGNITION AWARD - Audiokinetic - Wwise G.A.N.G. RECOGNITION AWARD - Gene Semel LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Koji Kondo DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Scott Gershin, David Murrant and Scott Selfon “It was an honor to recognize such stunning talent in our industry this year,” said Paul Lipson, president of G.A.N.G. “This event marks the 5th anniversary of G.A.N.G., and we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of game audio professionals from every genre and discipline.”