Minecraft has won the GameCity Prize 2011, becoming the first-ever recipient of the award at the annual Nottingham festival.
Swedish developer Mojang's beloved indie sandbox was given the award - which recognises artistic, rather than financial success - at a ceremony on Saturday. It was selected by a panel including South Bank Centre artistic director Jude Kelly OBE, musician Nitin Sawhney and Labour MP Tom Watson. Other finalists included Ilomilo, Superbrothers: Sword And Sworcery EP, Child Of Eden, Pokémon Black, Limbo and Portal 2.
Mojang head Markus "Notch" Persson said: "We're very excited to have won the first GameCity prize, especially since the nominees contain some of our favourite games recently. It's a great honour to be comparted to those games. Winning this award helps motivate us to try to make Minecraft the best game it can be."
Iain Simons, GameCity director, added: "The GameCity prize, like the GameCity festival, is about exploring and celebrating videogames as being at the vanguard of inclusive, contemporary creative arts.
"As an invitation to everyone to explore and express their own creativity, our 2011 winner is a remarkable achievement. I'm thrilled that Minecraft is the recipient of the first GameCity prize."
- Next Gen
Swedish developer Mojang's beloved indie sandbox was given the award - which recognises artistic, rather than financial success - at a ceremony on Saturday. It was selected by a panel including South Bank Centre artistic director Jude Kelly OBE, musician Nitin Sawhney and Labour MP Tom Watson. Other finalists included Ilomilo, Superbrothers: Sword And Sworcery EP, Child Of Eden, Pokémon Black, Limbo and Portal 2.
Mojang head Markus "Notch" Persson said: "We're very excited to have won the first GameCity prize, especially since the nominees contain some of our favourite games recently. It's a great honour to be comparted to those games. Winning this award helps motivate us to try to make Minecraft the best game it can be."
Iain Simons, GameCity director, added: "The GameCity prize, like the GameCity festival, is about exploring and celebrating videogames as being at the vanguard of inclusive, contemporary creative arts.
"As an invitation to everyone to explore and express their own creativity, our 2011 winner is a remarkable achievement. I'm thrilled that Minecraft is the recipient of the first GameCity prize."
- Next Gen
