Sega are close to the Edge

We’re Close to the Edge

Sega swept the board at this year’s Edge Awards, taking the winner’s trophyin no less then six categories and runners up in a further three. The futureof electronic entertainment bible held their annual awards at The Bluebirdon the Kings Road.

Proceedings started swinging early with Sega claiming the flagship’Publisher of the Year’ award. And who’s surprised as Sega unleashedShenmue, Phantasy Star Online, Jet Set Radio, Virtua Tennis, MetroplisStreet Racer, Daytona and Virtua Tennis on to a gasping and awe struckpublic during the past year.

Phantasy Star Online and it’s creators, Sonic Team went on to dominate theceremony, winning the coveted ‘Game of the Year’ and ‘Developer of the Year’awards. The Edge panel declaring Phantasy Star Online as a ‘defining momentin console gaming’ and describing Sonic Team’s output as ‘standard-setting’.

The glory didn’t end there for Yuji Naka’s crew, with the gloriouslydemented SambaDeAmigo picking up the ‘Hardware Innovation’ award for it’s’Bez’ defying Maracas peripheral. Sonic Team picked up a further award for’Phantasy Star Online’ as it claimed the ‘Technical Acheivement’ award for’creating an easily accessible, visually compelling online world.’

Further Sega innovations were also rewarded in the ‘Graphical Achievement’category as it claimed a remarkable one-two with Jet Set Radio claiming thetitle for it’s Cel Shading brilliance. Metropolis Street Racer claimed therunners up spot for it’s ‘insatiable attention to detail’.

The awards in full :-

Winners:

• Publisher of the Year – Sega
• Game of the Year – Phantasy Star Online
• Graphical Achievement – Jet Set Radio
• Technical Achievement – Phantasy Star Online
• Hardware Innovation – SambaDeAmigo
• Developer of the Year – Sonic Team

Runners Up:

• Gameplay Innovation – Dream Dorobo
• Graphical Achievement – Metropolis Street Racer
• Audio Achievement – Jet Set Radio

News page content input by Dominic Robinson, 2001.