Can a downloadable game win GOTY?

From the Gamer Limit editorial:

"Today, games exist that cannot be preordered, resold, or placed on our shelves. They’re becoming as much a part of our gaming lives as major disc releases, and their quality is often comparable. Yet a strange thing occurred to me recently: I don’t think the gaming world is ready to crown a downloadable game as the year’s very best game, even if it is in fact the best.

Well, why the hell not?"

[Wizziokid]

Depends on how good the download game actually is.

[GWAVE]

Certain people would LOVE for Limbo to win GotY, but the reality is that there have been plenty of really good downloadable games in the past on LIVE Arcade and PSN that didn't win GotY.

And let's face it: the hype surrounding hype will only last until it hits PSN. Then the hype and adoration will magically disappear, just like it did for Braid and Castle Crashers.

[T9X69]

Limbo wont be on PSN.

Playdead's Dino Patti said, "We are only launching the title on XBLA. You won't see a PS3 or PC version this time around, sorry."

http://www.destructoid.com/...

[demonddel]

@gwave yeah rite everybody hates playstation to these kids they get on my nerves they say some of the stupidest things

[-Alpha]

@GWave

What do u mean? The reason why the "adoration" stopped for games like Braid and Castle Crashers is because they came to PSN long after it was on XBL(Braid at least). People stop caring for games once they release since that's when people are either playing it or putting their thoughts on the next game. I understand what you are implying but have you played Limbo? Perhaps it really is good.

[AAACE5]

Anything is possible, but highly unlikely!

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

Media isn't inclined to recognize better game of an entire year from a independent small developer, most sites and magazines already have a Downloadable GOTY category for that very reason.

Still, the truth is, hardly will an independent, low budget, simple game beat the overall quality of a great full game... It's good enough they had been able to beat the mediocre ones and even that usually requiring to point out the value of the game considering the smaller pricetag. They simply don't have and can't hire the muscle to pump out games with high detail, long narratives, diversified gameplay and whatever make big games big, after all their technical, measurable, quality, usually don't come much above freewares and phone games, and just under some big handheld games.

Not that technical aspects are everything... Independent studios know that and take advantage from the proximity of the game designer and his creation with less interference from technicians and businessmen, which usually let the game a lot more true to the original vision - considered the limitations - than what most big developers can do... Still it's hardly as great, specially from the gameplay standpoint.

But even if independent games could beat high budget ones, media and the industry would muzzle it, they need to justify the high costs of games now a days... But they probably will never need, even if this game is good enough, the truth is most of us will forget or get bored of it in weeks or months as the next wave of releases comes and their ads and news shall dominate the media. This gen is so dinamic, with big games coming one right after another, that I don't even know why media still bother to make GOTY, most of the GOTY contestants right now will be irrelevant by November.

[Imperator]

Limbo is good, but what's with all this hype. IMO, it's way too overhyped. Yea, it's good, but come on, there's been FAR better DL Games on both XBLA and PSN.

[DigitalAnalog]

Thus it should be qualified for a nominee. But then you'll say, "what about Flash games"? Well it can, but they have a long way to go before they can compete.

-End statement

[gillri]

nope, LIMBO is awesome as was Shadow Complex, but they cant win GOTY

[Jorrel56]

Limbo was disappointing imo

[izuna]

=( I played the trial, wanting to know what everyone was going on about... but I ended up being so creeped out I passed the controller away.

[ingiomar]

why not? a game is a game..

[Yuenanimous]

If any game could do it, it would be Limbo... Everyone is raving about it.

[ndibu]

Gwave, maybe its because by the time they released on psn, the world had loved em and moved on. It happens. You can't expect people to get all excited about something they've been playing for 6 months already.
Unless of course its Halo 3 or Reach...well then you can get excited for 3 years, just check the XBL stats.
Timed exclusivity, its a cheap trick, but it does steal the thunder don't it? NG Sigma II anyone?

[Fullish]

Best game of this year, easy.

[Motorola]

Years not over. And it has no replay value, and Ive seen a Lets Play of this game. I have no reason to get it since i know every level

[D4RkNIKON]

You don't see too many Limbo vs God of War 3 articles, or Mass Effect for that matter..

[LinuxGuru]

A game is a game is a game...no matter the format, disc or download...I'm sure it qualifies if the quality is there.

[Philaroni]

Thats like saying why cant and independent Film get film of the year. You really need to be a major title in any media to get that kind of award. I don't think Limbo or any other network game should get GOTY, not seen one that has blew me away like the larger games. If anything they should have a Downloadable Game of the year as well so it is only competing against games like itself.

[ClownBelt]

Lol nah. But Bots will keep on dreaming since this is their only chance to get a Goty nominee that is exclusive to their system considering most of their disc based game flopped horribly.

[dizzleK]

it's gotten to the point that even i'm tired of you and i'm probably the biggest a-hole on the site. if you're going to troll at least try to be creative about it. i at least attempt to be humorous and snarky, you're just hateful.

[SOAD]

Both of you should just shhhhh.

[TABSF]

Well all games released on Steam at download only

Last year Batman: Arkham Asylum was game of the year and it was on Steam

So this article has already failed

[dustgavin]

Actually, Uncharted 2 took 2009 game of the year crown.

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

Do you also think it's funny to run around telling kids that dad buy the Santa's gifts, the Eastern Bunny don't hide any egg or that sooner or later they'll die? Why do you have to ruin it for him?

[/jk]

[acere]

can a racing game win goty? gt5 any1

[redDevil87]

Limbo better then GOW3, Mass Effect 2, Heavy Rain, Reach, RDR, GT5 and LBP2??

No way, the game is supposed to be great but no way will it win GOTY. Most likely downlodable GOTY.

[Silly gameAr]

This is how you hype a game.

[callahan09]

In my opinion Joe Danger deserves downloadable GOTY more than Limbo. Limbo is an interesting experience, but it's not as much fun to play as Joe Danger. Not only that, but it doesn't have the length, it doesn't have the replay value. Joe Danger is one of the most polished downloadable games out there. It has tons of levels, leaderboards and levels which provide serious incentive to replay-replay-replay-repeat for the highest scores possible, multiplayer, level designer, brilliant level design, incredible charm and personality which just brings a smile to your face with its colorful, vibrant graphical style and energetic music.

[Skadoosh]

Limbo is almost like a piece of dark art. The game is so good. Definitely "Downloadable GOTY"

[Megaton]

If the title is good enough, it shouldn't matter if it's a small download-only game or a AAA disc title with an ad bankroll that could feed a small African country for a month.

That being said, no, Limbo is not GOTY. It's good, but it's extremely short with next to zero replay value. As of right now, Mass Effect 2 has my vote.

[Timesplitter14]

Well this and Starcraft 2 are my two favorite games this year so far. And the fact that it's a downloadable game shouldn't affect the final judgement. It's still a game.

[Rubberlegs]

Limbo could easily win GOTY from any major site or mag but I hate how people talk as is if only one sole game gets it. A number of different games win GOTY each year. Gamespot had Demon Souls as its GOTY last year and IGN had Uncharted 2. Look at all the GOTY editions that come out.

[ambientFLIER]

Yes. Why not?

[AKS]

Will the larger mainstream video game magazines and websites pick a downloadable game as the Game of the Year? No, at least not for some time. Can a downloadable game be the best game of the year. Yes, absolutely and without question.

Also, I'd like to note that the pervasive practice of attempting to quantify value by the completion time is among the most ridiculous metrics in modern history. It's clear many do not realize how this looks to critics in other fields, but it makes the evaluation of video games the medium of art and entertainment look very weak and immature. What critic says Ulysses is too long or short of a book or Citizen Kane falls short of greatness as a film because it is too lengthy? Ridiculous. Please stop doing this.

[Toman85]

Yes it can, individually for Xbox 360 because there is no game better than Limbo. Have played ME2 and many more without being impressed, but LImbo <3

[level 360]

I do think a lot of columnists/reviewers are saying and putting too much on this game just because of it's emotional theme alone ( lonely boy in a maze of black and white dark/romanticistic sceneries ).

Don't get me wrong, I also believe it is that damned good although somewhat costly.. but then the price doesn't really matter once you play the game.

Gameplay in total really doesn't blow you away - as I said it's still the emotional theme that drives this game.
It does deserve a ton of praise, but I think not the awards.

[Belasco]

slow down!Lets not get carried away here. Personally I played the demo and quit after about 10 minutes out of boredom.

[waljaber]

it can win imo, warhwak was one of the best games i played in the year came out and i really want it to be, but i'm just one gamer how likes really good games against millions of FANBOYS lol.