Sequels the big winners at 2013 Canadian Videogame Awards in Vancouver

Video games with the number three in the title were the big winners at the 2013 Canadian Videogame Awards.

Last year’s CVAs were notable for the number of maple leaf trophies picked up by independent developers, but among the games nominated this year were big sequels from major publishers, including Assassin’s Creed III, Far Cry 3, and Mass Effect 3.

Those three games picked up the majority of the CVAs handed out at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Saturday night (April 20).

Representing the indie development winners were Vancouver’s Klei and Toronto’s Queasy for the games Mark of the Ninja and Sound Shapes. Notable for its absence from the winner’s list is Papo & Yo, from Montreal’s Minority Media, which had six nominations. (The full list of award winners is below.)

This was the fourth year for the awards. As with last year’s event, the presenters of the awards were a mix of people who make the games and the actors who voice them.

CBC News anchor Ian Hanomansing made a surprise appearance in a segment that introduced emcee Elias Toufexis.

Toufexis proved to be as self-deprecating as last year’s host, David Hayter, appearing in a series of funny videos, but the highlight of the night was a live sketch featuring Toufexis, Hayter, and Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, who voiced the two genders of Commander Shepard in Bioware’s Mass Effect games.

The four actors sat on stage in a “Videogame Hero Support Group”. Actor Billy Campbell tried to join the foursome but was brushed off for not being a “video game” hero.

One video segment featured Canadian game developers describing their operations and illuminated both the range and creativity of studios both big and small.

While the general public were able to purchase tickets to the CVAs, there weren’t many people sitting in the general audience seats. There was great energy from the tables of game developers and VIPs invited to be at the show, however.

The CVAs, a co-production of Reboot Communications and Greedy Productions, will broadcast on Citytv stations across Canada on Saturday (April 27) at 9 p.m., and on G4 the following day at 4 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m.

Here's the full list of winners from the fourth annual Canadian Videogame Awards:

Best game innovation
Sound Shapes (Sony)

Best technology
Assassin’s Creed III (Ubisoft)

Best audio
Assassin’s Creed III (Ubisoft)

Best original music
“Leaving Earth” from Mass Effect 3 (Electronic Arts)

Best visual arts
Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft)

Best animation
Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft)

Best writing
Mass Effect 3 (Electronic Arts)

Best game design
Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft)

Best new character
Vaas from Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft)

Best downloadable game
Mark of the Ninja (Microsoft)

Best game on the go
Sound Shapes (Sony)

Best social/casual game
The Secret World (Electronic Arts)

Best console game
Mass Effect 3 (Electronic Arts)

Best indie game
Mark of the Ninja (Microsoft)

Future Shop fans’ choice
Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft)

Game of the year
Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft)