The Greek-inspired popular video game HADES has reportedly been awarded the world prestigious Hugo Award over the weekend, in what was a first in the history of the most esteemed literary awards in fantasy and science-fiction.
DisCon III, the 79th World Science Fiction Convention, announced the winners of the 2021 Hugo Awards at a ceremony in Washington, DC, USA on the evening of Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Hades is a roguelike action dungeon crawler video game developed and published by Supergiant Games, whose previous pedigree includes fan-favorite hits like Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. Set in the Underworld of Ancient Greece the game centres on Zagreus, son of Hades, as he attempts to escape from the Underworld to reach Mount Olympus, at times aided by gifts bestowed on him from the other Olympian Gods.
As reported by USA Today last November, it was officially announced that the 2021 Hugo Awards would feature a category for Best Video Game. Alongside Hades, the other nominees were The Last of Us Part II, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Spiritfarer, and Blaseball.
In an acceptance speech posted on Twitter, Supergiant Games creative director Greg Kasavin shared his thoughts on receiving the award:
"Wish I could have attended the #HugoAwards in person. I wasn't able to make an acceptance speech there on behalf of the team though did have a few words here. I'm grateful that the awards are recognizing work in this category, much less the work we did!"
Kasavin concluded his acceptance speech by thanking his colleagues, friends and family, and “the Greek gods themselves.”
Full List of Winners at the 2021 Hugo Awards:
BEST NOVEL
Network Effect, Martha Wells (Tor.com)
BEST NOVELLA
The Empress of Salt and Fortune, Nghi Vo (Tor.com)
BEST NOVELETTE
Two Truths and a Lie, Sarah Pinsker (Tor.com)
BEST SHORT STORY
“Metal Like Blood in the Dark”, T. Kingfisher (Uncanny Magazine, September/October 2020)
BEST SERIES
The Murderbot Diaries, Martha Wells (Tor.com)
BEST RELATED WORK
Beowulf: A New Translation, Maria Dahvana Headley (FSG)
BEST GRAPHIC STORY
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation, written by Octavia Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy, illustrated by John Jennings (Harry N. Abrams)
BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, LONG FORM
The Old Guard, written by Greg Rucka, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Netflix / Skydance Media)
BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, SHORT FORM
The Good Place: Whenever You’re Ready, written and directed by Michael Schur (Fremulon / 3 Arts Entertainment / Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group)
BEST EDITOR, SHORT FORM
Ellen Datlow
BEST EDITOR, LONG FORM
Diana M. Pho
BEST PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
Rovina Cai
BEST SEMIPROZINE
FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, publisher Troy L. Wiggins, executive editor DaVaun Sanders, managing editor Eboni Dunbar, poetry editor Brandon O’Brien, reviews and social media Brent Lambert, art director L. D. Lewis, and the FIYAH Team.
BEST FANZINE
nerds of a feather, flock together, ed. Adri Joy, Joe Sherry, The G, and Vance Kotrla
BEST FANCAST
The Coode Street Podcast, presented by Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe, Jonathan Strahan, producer
BEST FAN WRITER
Elsa Sjunneson
BEST FAN ARTIST
Sara Felix
BEST VIDEO GAME
(A one-off category created as per WSFS rules by DisCon III)
Hades (Publisher and Developer: Supergiant Games)
The following awards which are administered by WSFS and voted on alongside the Hugo Awards were also included in the ceremony.
LODESTAR AWARD for BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, T. Kingfisher (Argyll Productions)
ASTOUNDING AWARD for BEST NEW WRITER
Emily Tesh (2nd year of eligibility)
RESOURCE | ABOUT THE HUGO AWARDS
The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention and chosen by its members. The Hugo is widely considered the premier award in science fiction. The award is administered by the World Science Fiction Society. It is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories. Hugos were first given in 1953, at the 11th World Science Fiction Convention, and have been awarded every year since 1955.
The awards were originally given in seven categories. These categories have changed over the years, and the award is currently conferred in seventeen categories of written and dramatic works. The winners receive a trophy consisting of a stylized rocket ship on a base; the design of the trophy changes each year, though the rocket itself has been standardized since 1984. The Hugo Awards are considered "the premier award in the science fiction genre",[1] and winners are often noted on book covers.
The 2021 awards were presented at the 79th Worldcon, "Discon III", in Washington, D.C. on December 18, 2021. The 2022 awards will be presented at the 80th Worldcon, "Chicon 8", in Chicago on September 4, 2022.
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