Over the past two days, we’ve covered the best each platform and genre had to offer us in 2011 – but with the good, there comes the bad, and this year was not without its blunders and disappointments.
When put to a vote, we at MyGaming had a tough time choosing which of this year’s fails were the worst – but in the end, we (mostly) reached a conclusion.
Which game came out at the top of the bottom? And which developer has a special circle in hell waiting for them? Read on to find out!
Anti-Awards 2011
Worst Game
Duke Nukem Forever
We can't even look at you anymore
While arguably more a disappointment than an outright horrible game, Duke Nuk- ah, who are we trying to kid? This game was just crap.
After more than a decade in development, to call Duke Nukem a disappointment would be incorrect – no one in the MyGaming office sincerely expected the game to be the best thing ever™ – the only thing worse than failing to meet high expectations, is to meet them when they’re this low.
Dan Parmenter said it best, “Thanks for ruining my pristine childhood memories, Gearbox.”
Runner-up: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
Most Disappointing Game
Dead Island
So much wasted potential
Surprised? So were we when what we expected to be a stellar AAA title, ended up being a buggy, repetitive bungle in zombie paradise.
Dead Island wasn’t the worst game released this year by far (see previous category for that) – but after setting us up with such an amazing game trailer back in the preview days, with the promise of tropical zombiocalypse glee – in the end, it failed to deliver in a big way.
For shame.
Runner-up: Stronghold 3
Worst Developer
EA Brightlights
Harpy Parper and the Derpy Herp part Durr
This category was actually split three ways between EA Brightlights; Gearbox, for giving us Duke Nukem Forever (again, see the first category); and Infinity Ward, for…well, for not doing anything except slapping a different number on a game they released years before. In the end, perspective had to prevail to break the tie.
Gearbox inherited an impossible task with DNF; while not exempt from gamer scorn and rage – they did what they could. Infinity Ward, like it or not, are raking in the cash, and (as the comments section is sure to let us know) lots of people love the MW franchise.
EA Brightlights, however, not only produced MyGaming’s lowest-rated game of 2011 – but have consistently done everything in their power to milk the Harry Potter franchise through badly developed games since they started making them. So not only worst developer for 2011 – but also for the years going back.
Runner-up: Gearbox – Duke Nukem forever, etc.
Worst Company
Ubisoft
I am alive. Just not on PC.
Ubisoft just don’t seem to like their customers. As a gaming company, one should be a little more friendly towards gamers – but instead Ubisoft seem content to shaft legitimate customers every step of the way. If it’s not the DRM issue, which will make you suffer if you actually bought their games instead of pirating them – then it’s the fact that they use piracy as an excuse to simply not bother making games for an entire platform (spoilers: PC).
And they’re completely unapologetic about it, too – as if it’s our own fault. Tsk.
Runner-up: Activision-Blizzard – “I don’t care if they’re successful, you never had to play X-Men Destiny, James.” – Quinton Bronkhorst
Worst Platform
Kinect
Kinect: Still used for everything but games
The Kinect had a great year of sales, and has been used all over the tech, medical and marketing world to do a bunch of cool things.
Yeah. Except, where are the games? We’re not denying that the Kinect has had a successful first year, or that it’s not an incredible piece of technology – but you’re trying to sell it to us as a gaming system, Microsoft. So where are the games?
Tarryn van der Byl has an opinion on this: “I want a refund.” Ouch.
Runner-up: 3DS – “You know what would make the DS even better? Migraines!” – Chris Kemp
Special “I can’t believe they made that” Award
Michael Phelps: Push The Limit
Any game that encourages Speedo use simply should not be made.
Because seriously, what is up with that?
