Around the time of the Oscars every year, I often hear people say things like, “Who picks the winners, anyway?” When I explain that it’s the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an organization with 6,000+ “motion picture professionals,” a few people say, “They should let the people pick ’em.” Frankly, I think it’s a good thing that life doesn’t work that way, as the general populace often doesn’t know what the hell it’s doing (e.g., American Idol).

Here’s some more evidence of that. Last night, X-Play aired an hour-long special on its “G-Phoria 2008” Awards, which are purposely set during the summer so “gamers can find respite from the heat and take advantage of time off to engage in their passion.” To be eligible, a game had to have been released between July 31, 2007, and July 31, 2008. All 19 awards were selected by viewer votes (online at G4tv.com and via text message), so I guess it’s not entirely fair for me to bitch since I didn’t voice my opinion. Whatever, I’m going to do it anyway.

You’d think that, with the window shifted to include the first seven months of this year and the last five of last year, people would’ve gotten over the whole “ZOMG Halo 3 IS THE BEST GAME EVAR!” thing -- but apparently not. So they picked it as the best game released in the past twelve months. *Sigh* Personally, I could name at least five games that are better in my opinion, but obviously, the massive cultural phenomenon that is the Halo series doesn’t give a damn about what I think.

Anyway, other winners included skate. as the Best Sports Game; Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare as the Best Online Multiplayer Game; and Turok as the Game Most Deserving of an Uwe Boll Movie. Hit the jump for the full list, and then debate its contents in the comments.

The “G-Phoria 2008” winners include:
 
Game of the Year
Halo 3
 
Favorite System
Xbox 360

Best Graphics
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Best New Character
Niko Bellic - Grand Theft Auto IV

Best Party Game
Rock Band
 
Best Strategy Game
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution

Best Sports Game  
skate.
 
Best Action Game
Grand Theft Auto IV
 
Best Shooter
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
 
Best Racing Game
Mario Kart Wii
 
Best Role-Playing Game
Mass Effect

Most Original
Portal

Best Online Multiplayer Game
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Best Downloadable Content
Rock Band

Best Handheld Game
God of War: Chains of Olympus
 
Best Voice Acting
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
 
Best Soundtrack
Rock Band
 
Game Most Deserving of an Uwe Boll Movie
Turok

Longest Lasting Game presented by Stride
Grand Theft Auto IV