D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year

The D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. "This award honors a title, single-player or multi-player, where an individual assumes the role of one or more characters and develops those characters in terms of abilities, statistics, and/or traits as the game progresses. Gameplay involves exploring, acquiring resources, solving puzzles, and interacting with player or non-player characters in the persistent world. Through the player's actions, his/her virtual characters' statistics or traits demonstrably evolve throughout the game". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. The award initially had separate awards for console games and computer games at the 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 1998, with the first winners being Final Fantasy VII for console and Dungeon Keeper for computer. Throughout the history of this category, there have been numerous mergers and changes for role-playing related games. The current version was established at the 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards in 2018, which was awarded to Nier: Automata.

The award's most recent winner is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive.

History

Initially the Interactive Achievement Awards had separate categories for Console Role-Playing Game of the Year and Computer Role-Playing Game of the Year. The 1999 awards ceremony featured genre specific Online awards, including Online Role-Playing Game of the Year. There was only one Online Game of the Year category in 2000. The console and PC Role-Playing game categories were merged with the Adventure game categories at the 2000 awards ceremony; this was most likely because the previous console adventure game winners also won the award for console role-playing, which were Final Fantasy VII in 1998 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1999. In the following year, the Adventure game category was eventually merged with the Action game category, so a separate award for Role-Playing games resumed. In addition, an online category for Massive Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year was introduced in 2001; this may have been the result of the MMORPGs Ultima Online and EverQuest winning Online Game of the Year in 1998 and 2000, respectively. Starting in 2005, genre-specific awards would no longer have separate awards for console and computer games, so it simply became Role-Playing Game of the Year. In 2010, Role-Playing Game of the Year was merged with Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year, since most massively multiplayer online games were MMORPGs. The award would later be simplified back to Role-Playing Game of the Year in 2018. Console Role-Playing Game of the Year (1998—1999, 2001—2005) Computer Role-Playing Game of the Year (1998—1999, 2001—2005) Online Role-Playing Game of the Year (1999) Console Adventure/Role-Playing Game of the Year (2000) Computer Adventure/Role-Playing Game of the Year (2000) Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year (2001—2009) Role-Playing Game of the Year (2006—2009, 2018—present) Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year (2010—2017)

Winners and nominees 1990s + Table keyIndicates the winner YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)1997/1998 (1st) Console Role-Playing Game of the YearFinal Fantasy VIISquareSoftSony Computer EntertainmentAlundraMatrix SoftwareWorking Designs, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, PsygnosisSuikodenKonamiKonamiWild ArmsMedia.VisionSony Computer Entertainment Computer Role-Playing Game of the YearDungeon KeeperBullfrog ProductionsElectronic ArtsFalloutBlack Isle StudiosInterplay ProductionsLands of Lore: Guardians of DestinyWestwood StudiosVirgin Interactive1998/1999 (2nd) Console Role-Playing Game of the YearThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeNintendo EADNintendoPanzer Dragoon SagaTeam AndromedaSegaParasite EveSquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsPokémon Red and BlueGame FreakNintendo Computer Role-Playing Game of the YearBaldur's GateBioWareBlack Isle StudiosFallout 2Black Isle StudiosInterplay ProductionsMight and Magic VI: The Mandate of HeavenNew World ComputingThe 3DO CompanyReturn to KrondorPyroTechnixSierra On-Line Online Role-Playing Game of the YearUltima Online: The Second AgeOrigin SystemsElectronic ArtsDragonRealms: Maritime ExpansionSimutronicsSimutronicsMeridian 59: Dark AuspicesArchetype InteractiveThe 3DO Company1999/2000 (3rd) Console Adventure/Role-Playing Game of the YearFinal Fantasy VIIISquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsLegacy of Kain: Soul ReaverCrystal DynamicsEidos InteractiveLegend of LegaiaContrailSony Computer Entertainment Computer Adventure/Role Playing Game of the YearAsheron's CallTurbineMicrosoftGabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the DamnedSierra On-LineSierra On-LineOutcastAppealInfogramesPlanescape: TormentBlack Isle StudiosInterplay EntertainmentUltima IX: AscensionOrigin SystemsElectronic Arts

2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2000 (4th) Console Role Playing Game of the YearFinal Fantasy IXSquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsChrono CrossSquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsSkies of ArcadiaOverworksSegaThe Legend of DragoonJapan StudioSony Computer Entertainment PC Role Playing Game of the YearDiablo IIBlizzard NorthBlizzard EntertainmentBaldur's Gate II: Shadows of AmnBioWareBlack Isle StudiosDeus ExIon StormEidos InteractiveIcewind DaleBlack Isle StudiosInterplay Entertainment Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the YearEverQuest: The Ruins of KunarkVerant InteractiveSony Online EntertainmentAllegianceMicrosoft ResearchMicrosoft GamesAsheron's CallTurbineUltima Online: RenaissanceOrigin SystemsElectronic Arts2001 (5th) Console Role Playing Game of the YearBaldur's Gate: Dark AllianceSnowblind StudiosBlack Isle StudiosCastlevania: Circle of the MoonKonamiKonamiDark CloudLevel-5Sony Computer EntertainmentGolden SunCamelot Software PlanningNintendoPaper MarioIntelligent SystemsThe Legend of Zelda: Oracle of AgesFlagship/Capcom PC Role Playing Game of the YearBaldur's Gate II: Throne of BhaalBioWareBlack Isle StudiosDiablo II: Lord of DestructionBlizzard NorthBlizzard EntertainmentWizardry 8Sir-Tech CanadaSir-Tech Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the YearDark Age of CamelotMythic EntertainmentVivendi Universal GamesAsheron's Call: Dark MajestyTurbineMicrosoft Game StudiosPhantasy Star OnlineSonic TeamSega2002 (6th) Console Role-Playing Game of the Year Animal CrossingNintendo EADNintendoFinal Fantasy XSquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsKingdom HeartsSuikoden IIIKonamiKonamiWild Arms 3Media.VisionSony Computer Entertainment Computer Role-Playing Game of the YearNeverwinter NightsBioWareInfogramesArx FatalisArkane StudiosJoWood ProductionsDungeon SiegeGas Powered GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosFreedom ForceIrrational GamesCrave Entertainment, Electronic ArtsThe Elder Scrolls III: MorrowindBethesda Game StudiosBethesda Softworks Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the YearThe Sims OnlineMaxisElectronic ArtsAnarchy Online: The Notum WarsFuncomFuncomAsheron's Call 2: Fallen KingsTurbineMicrosoft Game StudiosDark Age of Camelot: Shrouded IslesMythic EntertainmentVivendi Universal GamesToontown OnlineDisney's Virtual Reality StudioDisney Online2003 (7th) Console Role-Playing Game of the YearStar Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicBioWareLucasArtsDark Cloud 2Level-5Sony Computer EntertainmentDisgaea: Hour of DarknessNippon Ichi SoftwareAtlusFinal Fantasy X-2SquareSoftSquare EnixXenosaga Episode IMonolith SoftNamco Computer Role-Playing Game of the YearStar Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicBioWareLucasArtsDeus Ex: Invisible WarIon StormEidos InteractiveDungeon Siege: Legends of ArannaGas Powered Games, Mad Doc SoftwareMicrosoft Game StudiosNeverwinter Nights: Shadows of UndrentideBioWare, Floodgate EntertainmentAtari, Inc.The Temple of Elemental EvilTroika Games Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the YearEverQuest: Lost Dungeons of NorrathSony Online EntertainmentSony Online EntertainmentA Tale in the DeserteGenesisDesert Nomad StudiosEve Online: Second GenesisCCP GamesSimon & Schuster InteractiveHorizons: Empire of IstariaVirtiumArtifact EntertainmentPuzzle PiratesThree Rings DesignThree Rings Design2004 (8th) Console Role-Playing Game of the YearPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year DoorIntelligent SystemsNintendoFinal Fantasy Crystal ChroniclesThe Game Designers StudioNintendoTales of SymphoniaNamco Tales StudioNamcoThe Bard's TaleinXile EntertainmentinXile EntertainmentX-Men LegendsRaven SoftwareActivision Computer Role-Playing Game of the YearNeverwinter Nights: KingmakerBioWareAtari, Inc.Vampire: The Masquerade - BloodlinesTroika GamesActivision Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the YearWorld of WarcraftBlizzard EntertainmentVivendi Universal GamesCity of HeroesCryptic StudiosNCSoftFinal Fantasy XI: Chains of PromathiaSquare EnixSony Computer EntertainmentStar Wars Galaxies: Jump to LightspeedSony Online EntertainmentLucasArts2005 (9th) Role-Playing Game of the YearJade EmpireBioWareMicrosoft Game StudiosDragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed KingLevel-5Square EnixDungeon Siege IIGas Powered GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosFire Emblem: Path of RadianceIntelligent SystemsNintendoRadiata Storiestri-AceSquare Enix Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the YearCity of VillainsCryptic StudiosNCSoftGuild WarsArenaNetFinal Fantasy XI: The Vana'diel CollectionSquare EnixSquare EnixLineage II: The Chaotic ChronicleNCSoftNCSoft2006 (10th) Role-Playing Game of the YearThe Elder Scrolls IV: OblivionBethesda Game Studios2K GamesFinal Fantasy IIIMatrix SoftwareSquare EnixFinal Fantasy XIISquare EnixPhantasy Star UniverseSonic TeamSegaTitan QuestIron Lore EntertainmentTHQ Massively Multiplayer Game of the YearGuild Wars NightfallArenaNetNCSoftAuto AssaultNetDevilNCSoftDungeons & Dragons Online: StormreachTurbineAtari, Inc.Eve Online: RevelationsCCP GamesCCP Games2007 (11th) Role-Playing Game of the YearMass EffectBioWareMicrosoft Game StudiosEternal Sonatatri-CrescendoNamco Bandai GamesJeanne d'ArcLevel-5Sony Computer EntertainmentRogue GalaxyThe WitcherCD Projekt RedAtari, Inc. Massively Multiplayer Game of the YearWorld of Warcraft: The Burning CrusadeBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentEve Online: TrinityCCP GamesCCP GamesGuild Wars: Eye of the NorthArenaNetNCSoftTabula RasaDestination GamesThe Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of AngmarTurbineMidway Games2008 (12th) Role-Playing Game of the YearFallout 3Bethesda Game StudiosBethesda SoftworksFable IILionhead StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of TimeChunsoftNintendo, The Pokémon CompanyTales of VesperiaNamco Tales StudioNamco Bandai Games Massively Multiplayer Game of the YearWorld of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich KingBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentEve Online: Quantum RiseCCP GamesCCP GamesPirates of the Burning SeaFlying Lab SoftwareSony Online EntertainmentPMOGGameLayersGameLayersWarhammer Online: Age of ReckoningMythic EntertainmentElectronic Arts2009 (13th) Dragon Age: OriginsBioWareElectronic ArtsBorderlandsGearbox Software2K GamesChampions OnlineCryptic StudiosAtari, Inc.Demon's SoulsFromSoftwareAtlusMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside StoryAlphaDreamNintendo

2010s