The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. The award "celebrates the highest level of technical achievement through the combined attention to gameplay engineering and visual engineering. Elements honored include but are not limited to artificial intelligence, physics, engine mechanics, and visual rendering". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as an artist, animator or programmer are qualified to vote for this award.
The award's most recent winner is Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
History The first and second awards ceremonies offered the Outstanding Achievement in Software Engineering. In 2000, the award for software engineering was split into separate categories for Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering and Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering. Gameplay Engineering recognized "the highest level of achievement in engineering artificial intelligence and related elements which contribute to a challenging game". Visual Engineering would recognize "the highest level of achievement in rendering 3-D virtual environments for an interactive title." The two categories would eventually be merged into Outstanding Technical Achievement in 2015. Outstanding Achievement in Software Engineering (1998–1999) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering (2000–2014) Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering (2000–2014) Outstanding Technical Achievement (2015–present)
There was tie for the award of Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering in 2006 between Guitar Hero and Nintendogs.
Winners and nominees + Table keyIndicates the winner
1990s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)1997/1998 (1st) GoldenEye 007RareNintendoBlade RunnerWestwood StudiosVirgin InteractiveMicrosoft Flight Simulator 98Microsoft Simulation GroupMicrosoftNFL GameDay 98Sony Interactive Studios AmericaSony Computer EntertainmentNFL Quarterback Club 98Iguana EntertainmentAcclaim EntertainmentStar Trek: Starfleet AcademyHigh Voltage SoftwareInterplay ProductionsTemujinSouthPeak InteractiveSouthPeak InteractiveUltima OnlineOrigin SystemsElectronic Arts1998/1999 (2nd) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeNintendo EADNintendoHalf-LifeValveSierra On-LineMetal Gear SolidKonamiKonamiMotocross MadnessRainbow StudiosMicrosoftNFL Quarterback Club 99Iguana EntertainmentAcclaim Entertainment1999/2000 (3rd) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringThe SimsMaxisElectronic ArtsAge of Empires II: The Age of KingsEnsemble StudiosMicrosoft GamesCrazy TaxiHitmakerSegaNFL 2KVisual Concepts Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringUnreal TournamentEpic Games, Digital ExtremesGT InteractiveNBA 2KVisual ConceptsSegaNFL 2KSonic AdventureSonic Team
2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2000 (4th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringSSXEA CanadaElectronic ArtsBaldur's Gate II: Shadows of AmnBioWareBlack Isle StudiosThe Operative: No One Lives ForeverMonolith ProductionsFox InteractiveTony Hawk's Pro Skater 2NeversoftActivision Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringSSXEA CanadaElectronic ArtsFIFA 2001EA CanadaElectronic ArtsJet Grind RadioSmilebitSegaMotocross Madness 2Rainbow StudiosMicrosoft Games2001 (5th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringGrand Theft Auto IIIDMA DesignRockstar GamesBlack & WhiteLionhead StudiosElectronic ArtsHalo: Combat EvolvedBungieMicrosoft Game StudiosMonopoly TycoonDeep Red GamesInfogrames Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringHalo: Combat EvolvedBungieMicrosoft Game StudiosGran Turismo 3: A-SpecPolyphony DigitalSony Computer EntertainmentMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2002Microsoft Simulation GroupMicrosoft Game StudiosReturn to Castle WolfensteinGray Matter StudiosActivisionTony Hawk's Pro Skater 3Neversoft2002 (6th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringTom Clancy's Splinter CellUbisoft MontrealUbisoftAnimal CrossingNintendo EADNintendoMetroid PrimeRetro StudiosRatchet & ClankInsomniac GamesSony Computer Entertainment Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringThe Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersStormfront StudiosElectronic ArtsAsheron's Call 2: Fallen KingsTurbineMicrosoft Game StudiosMetroid PrimeRetro StudiosNintendoTom Clancy's Splinter CellUbisoft MontrealUbisoftUnreal Tournament 2003Epic Games, Digital ExtremesAtari2003 (7th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringPrince of Persia: The Sands of TimeUbisoft MontrealUbisoftJak IINaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentStar Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicBioWareLucasArtsThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerNintendo EADNintendo Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringPrince of Persia: The Sands of TimeUbisoft MontrealUbisoftJak IINaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentRatchet & Clank: Going CommandoInsomniac GamesSSX 3EA CanadaElectronic ArtsThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerNintendo EADNintendo2004 (8th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringHalf-Life 2ValveVivendi Universal GamesDonkey KongaNamcoNintendoEyeToy: AntiGravHarmonixSony Computer EntertainmentFableLionhead StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosSpider-Man 2TreyarchActivision Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringHalf-Life 2ValveVivendi Universal GamesDoom 3id SoftwareActivisionForgotten Realms: Demon StoneStormfront StudiosAtariMetroid Prime 2: EchoesRetro StudiosNintendoRatchet & Clank: Up Your ArsenalInsomniac GamesSony Computer Entertainment2005 (9th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringGuitar HeroHarmonixRedOctaneNintendogsNintendo EADNintendoGod of WarSanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentLumines: Puzzle FusionQ EntertainmentUbisoftZoo Tycoon 2: Endangered SpeciesBlue Fang GamesMicrosoft Game Studios Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringShadow of the ColossusJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentCall of Duty 2Infinity WardActivisionF.E.A.R.Monolith ProductionsVivendi Universal GamesGod of WarSanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentKameoRareMicrosoft Game Studios2006 (10th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringWii SportsNintendo EADNintendoCompany of HeroesRelic EntertainmentTHQGears of WarEpic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosThe Elder Scrolls IV: OblivionBethesda Game Studios2K GamesThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight PrincessNintendo EADNintendo Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringGears of WarEpic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosCall of Duty 3TreyarchActivisionCompany of HeroesRelic EntertainmentTHQResistance: Fall of ManInsomniac GamesSony Computer EntertainmentViva PiñataRareMicrosoft Game Studios2007 (11th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringPortalValveValve, Electronic ArtsAssassin's CreedUbisoft MontrealUbisoftRock BandHarmonixMTV GamesSuper Mario GalaxyNintendo EADNintendoThe Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringCrysisCrytekElectronic ArtsAssassin's CreedUbisoft MontrealUbisoftCall of Duty 4: Modern WarfareInfinity WardActivisionRatchet & Clank Future: Tools of DestructionInsomniac GamesSony Computer EntertainmentUncharted: Drake's FortuneNaughty Dog2008 (12th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringSporeMaxisElectronic ArtsFable IILionhead StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosFallout 3Bethesda Game StudiosBethesda SoftworksLeft 4 DeadValve SouthValveTom Clancy's EndWarUbisoft ShanghaiUbisoft Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringLittleBigPlanetMedia MoleculeSony Computer EntertainmentGears of War 2Epic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsKojima ProductionsKonamiResistance 2Insomniac GamesSony Computer EntertainmentTomb Raider: UnderworldCrystal DynamicsEidos Interactive2009 (13th) Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay EngineeringUncharted 2: Among ThievesNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentAssassin's Creed IIUbisoft MontrealUbisoftForza Motorsport 3Turn 10 StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosLeft 4 Dead 2ValveValveNew Super Mario Bros. WiiNintendo EADNintendo Outstanding Achievement in Visual EngineeringUncharted 2: Among ThievesNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentAssassin's Creed IIUbisoft MontrealUbisoftCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Infinity WardActivisionKillzone 2Guerrilla GamesSony Computer EntertainmentRatchet & Clank Future: A Crack in TimeInsomniac Games
2010s