The D.I.C.E. Award for Online 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 "celebrates titles of any genre with a significant portion of the gameplay experience transpiring online — collaboratively or competitively. These titles frequently offer excellent matchmaking systems, innovative gameplay options, persistent content releases that further evolve gameplay, user customization and fluidity of gameplay. Titles submitted in this category are not limited to release within the calendar year but must be supported by significant new content". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category. The first winner was Ultima Online at the 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. It is the only "Game of the Year award" that also has been offered as a genre award and craft award.
The award's most recent winner is ARC Raiders, developed and published by Embark Studios.
History Content/Genre Award Online Game of the Year was originally offered as a content award for the "Online content awards" subset with categories Entertainment Site of the Year and News/Information Site of the Year. The 2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards (1999) had multiple genre-specific "Online content awards." Only one online award was offered for 2000. It would be renamed Online Gameplay of the Year in 2001. Online Game of the Year (1998, 2000) Online Action/Strategy Game of the Year (1999) Online Family/Board Game of the Year (1999) Online Role Playing Game of the Year (1999) Online Gameplay of the Year (2001—2003) No award would be offered at the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.
Craft Award At the 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the award for Online Gameplay was reintroduced as a craft award. The Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay, is "presented to the individual or team whose work represents the highest level of achievement in online gameplay in an interactive title. These titles frequently offer excellent matchmaking systems, innovative gameplay options including collaborative and competitive gameplay, user customization and fluidity of gameplay." An additional craft award, the Outstanding Achievement in Connectivity, was introduced for the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. This award is "given to the property or title that best demonstrates innovation in connection mechanics across varied platforms. This is typically exemplified through the expansion of a story or narrative through complementary elements across two or more platforms (e.g. Console/Facebook or Console/Mobile Device)". Both awards would be voted by programmers. Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay (2005—2013) Outstanding Achievement in Connectivity (2012—2013)
Game of the Year Award The craft awards were dropped for the 17th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards and Online Game of the Year was reintroduced as a "Game of the Year Award." The award was relabeled Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay for the 2015 awards and relabeled again as Online Game of the Year for the 2019 awards. Online Game of the Year (2014, 2019—present) Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay (2015—2018)
Social Networking/Web Based Game of the Year A genre award for Social Networking Game of the Year was introduced for the 2010 awards. Social networking games were defined as games that "connect people through a collective game experience, allowing quick, easy, and fun interactions between real-life friends". The genre category for "Social Networking" was not offered for 2013, and a "Game of the Year" award for Web Based Game of the Year was offered. Web based games were described as "titles played within a web browser and can include a variety of genres such as social networking games, MMOs, RPGs, Action games. These titles are tailored to the technical parameters of web browsers (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox) and demonstrate a skilled usage of linking, sharing, and work equally well across multiple form factors and input mechanisms". Web Based Game of the Year was featured in the rules & procedures for 2014, but there were not any finalists named for the category. Social Networking Game of the Year (2010—2012) Web Based Game of the Year (2013)
Winners and nominees 1990s + Table keyIndicates the winner YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)1997/1998 (1st) Ultima OnlineOrigin SystemsElectronic ArtsAir Warrior IIKesmaiInteractive MagicAliens OnlineKesmai, Mythic EntertainmentFox InteractiveGemstone IIISimutronicsSimutronicsSubSpaceBurst StudiosVirgin Interactive1998/1999 (2nd) Online Action/Strategy Game of the YearStarsiege: TribesDynamixSierra On-LineAir Warrior IIIKesmaiInteractive MagicCyberStrike 2Simutronics989 Studios Online Role Playing Game of the YearUltima Online: The Second AgeOrigin SystemsElectronic ArtsDragonRealms: Maritime ExpansionSimutronicsSimutronicsMeridian 59: Dark AuspicesArchetype InteractiveThe 3DO Company Online Family/Board Game of the YearMultiplayer Jeopardy! OnlineSony Online EntertainmentSony Online EntertainmentWhat's the Big Idea?Berkeley SystemsBerkeley SystemsMultiplayer Wheel of Fortune OnlineSony Online EntertainmentSony Online EntertainmentThe Game of LIFEMass Media GamesHasbro Interactive1999/2000 (3rd) EverQuestVerant Interactive, 989 StudiosSony Online EntertainmentAsheron's CallTurbineMicrosoft GamesGet the PictureBerkeley SystemsBerkeley SystemsPop-TartsMagnet InteractiveMagnet InteractiveWordoxWorld Opponent NetworkSierra On-Line
2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2000 (4th) MechWarrior 4: VengeanceFASA InteractiveMicrosoft GamesClusterballDaydream SoftwareRealNetworksCommand & Conquer: Red Alert 2Westwood PacificElectronic ArtsUltima Online: RenaissanceOrigin Systems2001 (5th) Return to Castle WolfensteinGray Matter StudiosActivisionAliens Versus Predator 2Monolith ProductionsSierra On-LineMechWarrior 4: Black KnightFASA InteractiveMicrosoft Game StudiosMonopoly TycoonDeep Red GamesInfogramesTom Clancy's Ghost ReconRed Storm EntertainmentUbisoft2002 (6th) Battlefield 1942DICEElectronic Arts Command & Conquer: RenegadeWestwood PacificElectronic ArtsTwisted Metal: Black - OnlineIncognito EntertainmentSony Computer Entertainment 2003(7th) No award given2004 (8th) Halo 2BungieMicrosoft Game StudiosRome: Total WarCreative AssemblyActivisionUnreal Tournament 2004Epic Games, Digital ExtremesAtariWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of WarRelic EntertainmentTHQ2005 (9th) Battlefield 2DICEElectronic ArtsAge of Empires IIIEnsemble StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosCall of Duty 2Infinity WardActivisionMario Kart DSNintendo EADNintendoProject Gotham Racing 3Bizarre CreationsMicrosoft Game Studios2006 (10th) Gears of WarEpic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosBattlefield 2142DICEElectronic ArtsCall of Duty 3TreyarchActivisionChromehoundsFromSoftwareSegaTom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced WarfighterRed Storm Entertainment, Ubisoft ParisUbisoft2007 (11th) Call of Duty 4: Modern WarfareInfinity WardActivisionForza Motorsport 2Turn 10 StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosHalo 3BungieRock BandHarmonixMTV GamesWorld in ConflictMassive EntertainmentVivendi Games2008 (12th) Left 4 DeadValve SouthValveCall of Duty: World at WarTreyarchActivisionGears of War 2Epic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosNHL 09EA CanadaElectronic ArtsRock Band 2HarmonixMTV Games2009 (13th) Outstanding Achievement in Online GameplayCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Infinity WardActivisionBorderlandsGearbox Software2K GamesFarmVilleZyngaZyngaLeft 4 Dead 2ValveValveUncharted 2: Among ThievesNaughty DogSony Computer Entertainment Social Networking Game of the YearFarmVilleZyngaZyngaBejeweled BlitzPopCap GamesElectronic ArtsFarm TownCodebellCodebellRestaurant CityPlayfishElectronic Arts
2010s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2010 (14th) Outstanding Achievement in Online GameplayStarCraft II: Wings of LibertyBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentAssassin's Creed: BrotherhoodUbisoft MontrealUbisoftBattlefield: Bad Company 2DICEElectronic ArtsCall of Duty: Black OpsTreyarchActivisionHalo: ReachBungieMicrosoft Game Studios Social Networking Game of the YearCityVilleZyngaZyngaFamily FeudBackstage TechnologiesBackstage TechnologiesFrontierVilleZyngaZyngaNightclub CityBooyahBooyahRavenwood FairLolappsLolapps2011 (15th) Outstanding Achievement in Online GameplayStar Wars: The Old RepublicBioWare AustinElectronic ArtsBattlefield 3DICEElectronic ArtsCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3Infinity WardActivisionGears of War 3Epic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosLittleBigPlanet 2Media MoleculeSony Computer Entertainment Outstanding Achievement in ConnectivityPortal 2ValveValveBattlefield 3DICEElectronic ArtsCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3Infinity WardActivisionDragon Age IIBioWareElectronic ArtsUncharted 3: Drake's DeceptionNaughty DogSony Computer Entertainment Social Networking Game of the YearThe Sims SocialPlayfishElectronic ArtsArmy AttackDigital ChocolateDigital ChocolateCastleVilleZynga DallasZyngaGardens of TimePlaydomDisney InteractiveTriple TownSpry FoxPlaydom2012 (16th) Outstanding Achievement in Online GameplayJourneyThatgamecompanySony Computer EntertainmentBorderlands 2Gearbox Software2K GamesCall of Duty: Black Ops IITreyarchActivisionDiablo IIIBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentHalo 4343 IndustriesMicrosoft Studios Outstanding Achievement in ConnectivityHalo 4343 IndustriesMicrosoft StudiosCall of Duty: Black Ops IITreyarchActivisionNike+ Kinect TrainingSumo DigitalMicrosoft Studios Web Based Game of the YearSimCity SocialPlayfishElectronic ArtsBingo BashBash GamingBash GamingBurrito Bison RevengeJuicy Beast StudioAdult Swim GamesCityVille 2ZyngaZyngaSongPopFreshPlanetGameloft2013 (17th) World of TanksWargamingWargamingBattlefield 4DICEElectronic ArtsBorderlands 2Gearbox Software2K GamesDiablo IIIBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentThe Last of UsNaughty DogSony Computer Entertainment2014 (18th) DestinyBungieActivisionCall of Duty: Advanced WarfareSledgehammer GamesActivisionElite DangerousFrontier DevelopmentsFrontier DevelopmentsHearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentWorld of Tanks [Xbox 360]WargamingWargaming2015 (19th) Rocket LeaguePsyonixPsyonixDestiny: The Taken KingBungieActivisionHalo 5: Guardians343 IndustriesMicrosoft StudiosHearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentSplatoonNintendo EADNintendo2016 (20th) OverwatchBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentBattlefield 1DICEElectronic ArtsHearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentTitanfall 2Respawn EntertainmentElectronic ArtsTom Clancy's The DivisionMassive EntertainmentUbisoft2017 (21st) PlayerUnknown's BattlegroundsPUBG CorporationBlueholeCall of Duty: WWIISledgehammer GamesActivisionDestiny 2BungieFortniteEpic GamesEpic GamesTom Clancy's Ghost Recon: WildlandsUbisoft ParisUbisoft2018 (22nd) FortniteEpic GamesEpic GamesDestiny 2: ForsakenBungieActivisionLaser LeagueRoll7505 GamesRed Dead Redemption 2Rockstar StudiosRockstar GamesSea of ThievesRareMicrosoft Studios2019 (23rd) Apex LegendsRespawn EntertainmentElectronic ArtsCall of Duty: Modern WarfareInfinity WardActivisionDestiny 2: ShadowkeepBungieBungieTetris 99ArikaNintendoWargrooveChucklefishChucklefish
2020s