Spotlight Awards

The Spotlight Awards (GDC) was hosted annually by the Game Developers Conference from 1997 to 1999. Its focus was on the video and computer game industry. GDC now hosts another video game award ceremony called Game Developers Choice Awards since 2001.

Best Game

 * 1997 : Super Mario 64

Best Console Game

 * 1997 : Super Mario 64
 * 1998 : (not awarded)
 * 1999 : The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Best PC/Mac Game

 * 1997 : Civilization II
 * 1998 : (not awarded)
 * 1999 : Half-Life

Best Arcade Game

 * 1997 : Virtua Fighter 3

Best Action Game

 * 1997 : Duke Nukem 3D
 * 1998 : Quake II
 * 1999 : Half-Life

Best Adventure Game/RPG

 * 1997 : The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
 * 1998 : Final Fantasy VII
 * 1999 : Baldur's Gate

Best Sports Game

 * 1997 : NHL Hockey '97
 * 1998 :
 * 1999 : NFL Blitz

Best Multiplayer Game

 * 1997 : Quake
 * 1998 : Quake II
 * 1999 : StarCraft

Best Strategy/War Game

 * 1997 : Command and Conquer: Red Alert
 * 1998 :
 * 1999 : StarCraft

Best Simulation Game

 * 1997 : MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries
 * 1998 : (not awarded)
 * 1999 : Gran Turismo

Best Flight or Flight Combat Simulator

 * 1998 :

Best Military Simulation

 * 1998 :

Best Trivia or Puzzle Game

 * 1997 : You Don't Know Jack XL
 * 1998 :
 * 1999 : You Don't Know Jack 4: The Ride

Best Educational/Children's Game

 * 1997 : Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse
 * 1998 :
 * 1999 : Lego Creator

Best Use of Audio

 * 1997 : Quake
 * 1998 : PaRappa the Rapper
 * 1999 : Half-Life

Best Music or Soundtrack

 * 1997 : Quake
 * 1998 : Blade Runner

Best New Technology

 * 1997 : Nintendo 64 from Nintendo
 * 1998 :

Best Use of Innovative Technology

 * 1997 : Super Mario 64 for the N64

Best Use of Graphics

 * 1998 : Quake II
 * 1999 : Half-Life

Best Use of Video

 * 1997 : Wing Commander IV

Most Innovative Game Design

 * 1998 : PaRappa the Rapper
 * 1999 : The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Best Script, Story or Interactive Writing

 * 1997 : You Don't Know Jack XL

Best Adaptation of Linear Media

 * 1997 : I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Best AI (Artificial Intelligence)

 * 1999 : Half-Life

Best Animation

 * 1997 : Tomb Raider

Best Prerendered Art

 * 1997 : Zork Nemesis

Annual Achievement Award for Game Design and Development

 * 1998 : Age of Empires

Lifetime Achievement Award for Game Design and Development

 * 1998 : Dani Bunten Berry
 * 1999 : Louis Castle