I don't think any of the given choices are absurd or anything. Maybe not my picks (Galaxy wouldn't be my pick either), but it's not like they came out of left field and scream bias or anything.

Regardless, the last category really burns the credibility of all the others, frankly. It's a product sponsored category? Yikes, that's bad. I think we all know that these award shows are self-gratifying tripe, but to actually admit it so openly is new to me. I ask thee: Which games are built Ford tough? Which game is strong enough for a man, but made for a woman? Which game gives you hair so healthy it shines?

These are important questions that gamers need answers to.

WTF ?! Where is Carnival Games ?

 More like where's Cruis'n

A lot of award programs are lumping Mario under "action," actually -- 1up just did so, for example.

The fact that there is no Platformer or "Casual" category but there is both a "shooter" category and a "military game" category is quite telling where their priorities lie here. This is a manly man's show. 

Nintendo has specifically used the term "testosterone driven" to describe Sony and Microsoft's strategy with their platforms; they clearly meant it as a pejorative, and they implied they were going a different direction. The direction the Wii has just does not fit a show that has categories for best action game, best shooter game, AND best military game, but has to akwardly jam Mario Galaxy and Wii Sports in to categories they really don't belong in.   

Bod, as always, I love your posts. You point out the idiocy of advertising vs. actual achievement but anyone who argues the validity of BioShock getting GotY needs to be put down. In the horse way. Certainly there are other games that you may believe are better (as do I) but there's no need to criticize a game that really stepped out of its genre bounds and did something spectacular.

BioShock is a great game, no matter if you so want SMG, Mass Effect, WHATEVER to win the award. Not everything in life will go your way, kids. BioShock is a great game.

So, as someone who doesn't watch Spike -- and knows virtually nothing about it -- I was just informed that Spike's old slogan was "The Network for Men." I'm sure most of you knew this, but I didn't.

In other words, I'd like to point out how accurate my above post is. Yes, I'm basking in the glory of my honed detective skills. 

Great analysis Bod!

Rocketpig, I own and played Bioshock almost to the death. It's a great game and not undeserving of the award.

However it's unfair not to list SMG in the right category, the four nominees for goty were:

Mass Effect, Bioshock, The Orange Box and Halo 3


looks more like the category best shooter of the year instead of goty to me if it wasn't for Mass Effect.

I was under the impression that BioShock was really just System Shock 2.5. That's bound to take some points of the originality factor, I'd say.

Regardless, I'm betting BioShock will slightly edge out Galaxy on average, as per Bodhesatva's analysis. I'm just wondering if the BAFTA will be any different.

bioshock is a great game,but i think SMG deserves it

I honestly think Bioshock was completely outclassed this year.  Feel free to shoot me, but I honestly think Bioshock is a "pick for hype" rather than true gaming quality.  Not to say it isn't great quality but there were far better this year.

PS - I think we had a discussion similar to this in the past where you pre-emptively labeled people who disagreed with you. 

PPS - I expected this pick from Spike TV,  but then again I don't consider them a real gaming news source.