GOTY WINNER 2016
The Game Awards 2016 • 3rd Annual Ceremony

Overwatch

Blizzard Entertainment’s electrifying team shooter ignited a worldwide cultural phenomenon with unforgettable diverse heroes, brilliant class synergies, and addictive objective-based multiplayer gameplay.

Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment May 24, 2016 PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Metascore: 91/100

The Ceremony & Hosting Details

Ceremony Event
The Game Awards 2016
Host & Creator
Geoff Keighley
Ceremony Date
December 1, 2016
Venue Location
Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California
Acceptance Speech
Ray Gresko & Jeff Kaplan (Blizzard)
First Multiplayer GOTY
First purely multiplayer online game to win GOTY at TGA

Why Overwatch Won Game of the Year

Overwatch reshaped the multiplayer landscape in 2016. Arising from the ashes of Blizzard's cancelled MMO "Project Titan", the development team channeled their passion into creating an optimistic, vibrant future where heroes of all backgrounds united to save the world.

1. Character Design & Distinct Playstyles

Every hero—from Tracer’s time-warping blinks and Reinhardt’s steadfast barrier shield to Mercy’s team-saving resurrections and Genji’s Dragonblade—offered a completely distinctive identity, control feel, and tactical role in the team composition.

2. Pure Focus on Objective Teamwork

By eliminating individual kill/death ratios from the main scoreboard and emphasizing team objective contributions, "Play of the Game" highlights, and end-of-match commendations, Overwatch promoted camaraderie, strategic adaptability, and mid-match hero swapping.

3. Transmedia Storytelling & Global Fandom

Through Pixar-grade animated shorts like "Alive", "The Last Bastion", and "Dragons", digital comics, and charismatic voice work, Overwatch captured the imagination of millions beyond traditional core gamer demographics.

2016 Game of the Year Nominees

A strong year showcasing revolutionary movement shooters, narrative conclusions, and atmospheric indie puzzles.

GOTY Winner

Overwatch

Blizzard Entertainment

The global hero shooter phenomenon praised for memorable characters, team synergy, and polish.

Nominee

Doom (2016)

id Software / Bethesda Softworks

A relentless adrenaline-pumping resurrection of the FPS grandfather featuring glory kills and heavy metal riffs.

Nominee

Inside

Playdead

Playdead’s haunting, wordless puzzle platformer masterwork exploring control, body horror, and totalitarian dystopia.

Nominee

Titanfall 2

Respawn Entertainment / Electronic Arts

Celebrated for one of the greatest single-player FPS campaigns ever made (BT-7274, Effect and Cause time-shifting).

Nominee

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Ent.

The cinematic final chapter of Nathan Drake's swashbuckling journey featuring dazzling Libertalia set pieces.

Overwatch Awards at TGA 2016

Overwatch took home 3 top awards:

Game of the Year Best Game Direction Best Multiplayer Game Esports Game of the Year