The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of game audio, has announced its winners for the 6th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards. The unique sound and music in the critically acclaimed BioShock earned the game an unprecedented eight awards – meaning that it actually won in every single category it was nominated for. The awards are voted on and judged by the game audio industry and members of G.A.N.G.

"Every now and again life provides one of those great moments of satisfaction for which words are really inadequate to describe. Being honored by my friends and colleagues at this years G.A.N.G awards was one of those moments," commented BioShock composer Garry Schymann. "It was a very moving evening for me and I will always be grateful to G.A.N.G. and everyone who considered my score for BioShock worthy of these honors. I get to look at the trophies everyday now and that is very humbling and amazing!"

G.A.N.G. also handed out a Lifetime Achievement Award to 20-year game industry veteran Brian Schmidt, who is recognized for his audio work in Madden Football, Desert Strike, Star Wars Trilogy, and Crue Ball. Schmidt also had the pleasure of seeing his theme from the original NARC arcade video game later covered and recorded by The Pixies. In 1998 Schmidt joined Microsoft, where he has played a key role in directing game audio technologies for Windows and Xbox.

In addition to the awards, G.A.N.G. also granted a $10,000 scholarship to Expression College for Digital Arts to G.A.N.G. member Nathan Rain Schwartz. The school offers a game audio curriculum at their Emeryville, CA campus.

Below is the complete winners list:

AUDIO OF THE YEAR
BioShock

MUSIC OF THE YEAR
BioShock

SOUND DESIGN OF THE YEAR
BioShock

BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM
God of War II

BEST INTERACTIVE SCORE
BioShock

BEST HANDHELD AUDIO
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

BEST AUDIO – OTHER
Jewel Quest II

BEST CINEMATIC/CUT-SCENE AUDIO
BioShock

BEST DIALOGUE
BioShock

BEST ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTAL
"Welcome To Rapture" – BioShock

BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL – CHORAL
"Main Titles" – God of War II

BEST ORIGINAL VOCAL – POP
"Still Alive" – Portal

BEST USE OF LICENSED MUSIC
BioShock

BEST ARRANGEMENT OF A NON-ORIGINAL SCORE
The Simpsons Game

BEST GAME AUDIO ARTICLE, PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST
"The World of Game Composing" – Film Music Magazine

MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF AUDIO
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2
(Audio controlling graphics & physics engine)

BEST USE OF MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND IN A GAME
Halo 3

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (TIE)
Austin Wintory (composer -flOw)
Tomas Neumann (audio programmer - Crysis)

STUDENT/APPRENTICE CONTEST WINNERS
Mike "Skitch" Schichiano (music)
Mikkel Eskessen (sound design)

G.A.N.G. RECOGNITION AWARDS
Russell Brower (audio director & composer - Blizzard Entertainment)
Rod Abernathy (composer - Dead Head Fred)
Michael "Piano Squall" Gluck (Piano Squall album and charity work)

G.A.N.G. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Sean Beeson
Jerry Lyons
Chance Thomas
Becky Young

G.A.N.G./EXPRESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP
Nathan Rain Schwartz

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Brian Schmidt