Trade hails its media darlings

Future, Imagine, Eurogamer and The Guardian were all amongst the winners at this year’s Games Media Awards.

Taking place at Jongleurs Comedy Club in Camden last night (October 16th), the event recognised the best of the specialist, mainstream, print and digital media.

It also featured a very special Games Media Legend award which went to Future veteran Steve Jarratt, the man who launched Edge and Official PlayStation Magazine.
The winners were decided by a vote that was thrown open to MCV’s entire readership.

Having lost out to Imagine’s GamesTM last year, Future’s Edge claimed the Best Magazine crown. And the market’s leading publisher scored another win with Tom Francis of PC Gamer being named Best Specialist Games Writer, Print.

Imagine did triumph in the Rising Star category, however, with Simon Miller of X360 hailed as the best up-and-coming talent in the country.

Eurogamer followed its tremendous showing 12 months ago with two more awards. It was voted Best Website, while the popular Ellie Gibson was named Best Specialist Writer, Online.

The Guardian triumphed in the National Newspaper category and Simon Munk of FHM claimed the crown as Best Mainstream Magazine Games Writer.

In the hotly-contested Broadcast section, Games Night on Xleague.tv beat off strong challenges from last year’s winner Johnny Minkley (Radio One) and One Life Left (Resonance FM).

The GMAs are now established as a big date in the industry’s diary – and are awards that are coveted, campaigned for and something to shout about,” said Intent Media managing director Stuart Dinsey. Congratulations to all the winners.”

The GMA Gold Sponsors were Nintendo, Microsoft, Activision, Codemasters and Electronic Arts. Silver Sponsors were 505 Games, Gamecock, Gamescom and Koch Media. Category Sponsors were Atari, Ubisoft and Rising Star Games.

THE WINNERS IN FULL:

Games Media Legend; Sponsored by Atari: Steve Jarratt

Games Magazine: Edge

Games Website: Eurogamer

Games Broadcast: Games Night on X-League.TV

Specialist Games Writer, Print: Tom Francis, PC Gamer

Specialist Games Writer, Online: Ellie Gibson, Eurogamer

Rising Star; Sponsored by Rising Star Games: Simon Miller, X360

Mainstream Magazine Games Writer; Sponsored by Ubisoft: Simon Munk, FHM

National Newspaper, Best Games Coverage:
The Guardian

Regional Games Columnist – Dave Cook