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‘Shadow of Mordor,’ ‘Monument Valley’ win big at game awards

This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows a ranger named Talion and his ghostly companion invading an orc fortress in a scene from video game "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor." The legion of orcs from "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor" will attempt to reign supreme at the Game Developers Choice Awards on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. The role-playing title is nominated for the most awards at the 15th annual ceremony and will face off against "Alien: Isolation," "Bayonetta 2," "Destiny" and "Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft" for the game of the year honor. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Entertainment, File) This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows a ranger named Talion and his ghostly companion invading an orc fortress in a scene from video game "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor." The legion of orcs from "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor" will attempt to reign supreme at the Game Developers Choice Awards on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. The role-playing title is nominated for the most awards at the 15th annual ceremony and will face off against "Alien: Isolation," "Bayonetta 2," "Destiny" and "Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft" for the game of the year honor. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Entertainment, File)

By Associated Press March 4, 2015 1 min read

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” is king of the Game Developers Choice Awards.

Monolith Productions’ gritty action-adventure game set between J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” was honored as the game of the year at Wednesday’s 15th annual ceremony.

The artsy mobile puzzle game “Monument Valley” from ustwo captured the most trophies, picking up the best visual art, mobile and innovation awards.

Other winners included “Alien: Isolation” for best audio, “Destiny” for best technology, “Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft” for best design, “Kentucky Route Zero” for best narrative and “The Banner Saga” for best debut.

The awards are selected by a jury of game creators and handed out at a ceremony held during the Game Developers Conference, an annual gathering of game creators.