'Dark Souls II' heralded Best Game of the Year in 2014 Golden Joystick Awards

In its 32nd awards ceremony held on Friday at the O2 Arena in London, the Golden Joystick Awards recognized 2014's cream of the crop in the gaming industry, as voted for by the gaming public. This year, the top prize went to From Software's "Dark Souls II," which garnered the title Best Game of Year.

Dark Souls II: Crown of the Ivory King [Photo credit: Dark Souls II website]

"The Joysticks are the people's awards and 2014's winners entirely reflect the creativity and diversity of modern gaming," said Andy Robertson, the editor for Computer Video Games and Golden Joysticks. "I'd like to thank everyone who voted for again joining us in celebration of a passionate and innovative medium that we all love."

More than nine million votes were cast prior to the event. One of the top gamer choices is Ubisoft Montreal, the developer of "Assassin's Creed" and "Watch Dogs," which took home the award for Studio of the Year.

Hideo Kojima, whose credits include "Metal Gear" and "Zone of Enders," was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Steam was voted as Best Gaming Platform.

Here are the other winners in the 2014 Golden Joystick Awards:

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

  • Best Visual Design
  • Best Audio

DayZ

  • Best Original Game
  • Best Indie Game

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

  • Best Online Game
  • Best Mobile Game

Rust

  • Playfire Most Played Game of the Year

Battlefield 4

  • Best Multiplayer Game

Oculus Rift DK2

  • Innovation of the Year

The Last of Us: Left Behind

  • Best Storytelling
  • Best Gaming Moment — The Kiss

Pokemon X and Y

  • Handheld Game of the Year

The Witcher III: Wild Hunt

  • Most Wanted

PewDiePie

  • Gaming Personality of the Year

First held in 1983, the Golden Joystick Awards initially recognized home computer games, with the first Game of the Year going to "Jetpac," an arcade-type shooting game compatible with the Commodore, ZX Spectrum and BBC Micro platforms. With the development and innovation of the computer gaming industry, the awards eventually expanded to include the latest in gaming consoles.

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