Working Title 06.19.09: The 2nd Annual Workies Halftime Awards Nominations

Posted by Jordan Williams on 06.19.2009

It's time to show our love for the great games that have come out so far this year before they get forgotten by August. So who is up for the Manly Award and Dormroom Dominator so far? Time to find out!

Welcome to the #1 Column in the WORLD to wear and eye patch in public for medical reasons and not because it's a pirate, WORKING TITLE. Yeah, for the last couple of years I have had a pesky stye on my eyelid that simply does not go away. Now that my insurance covers it I am finally having steps taken to get rid of the damn thing but the procedure makes it sensitive to light so YAY, I get to wear an eye patch in public. It took me all of two hours to get tired of the pirate jokes.

I already told you all that last week I was going to roll out the nominations for the 2nd Annual Workies Halftime Awards, and here they are. Now for those of you that are new or just don't know what the WHA's are they are pretty much Game of the Year awards that are handed out for the best games so far. I've noticed that sometimes there are a lot of quality games released at the start of the year and tend to get overshadowed or forgotten when the Fall/Winter season rolls around and starts busting out the blockbusters. So these awards are for the games that are great for the first half of the year.

Now, just like the normal Workies, you won't see any standard "Best RPG" bullshit, these are really awards in the vein of the ones at the end of your high school yearbook. Also since last year it wasn't explicitly stated, the deadline to be eligible for a WHA is the second week of June. So any games that came out this week aren't counted. Also as far as voting goes and determining a winner is goes as such.

The Workies are voted on by the commenter's and emailers below, as well as myself and other writers (some from 411, some not). BUT the majority of the say in the matter goes to the commenter's, so if the game you voted for doesn't win then well too bad. You should've commented more. In the event of a tie final say will go to me...because it's my column. And with all nominations you are more than welcome to add your own to the list within reason. All winners will also be automatically nominated for the end of the year awards for the same category.

So now that all of that bother is out of the way, let's go ahead and do this.

The 2nd Annual Workies Halftime Awards - Nominations

Now all of these categories are similar to the ones that will be present in the end of the year version, although there may be some added categories. So let's kick this off with an oldie but a goodie....


The Packie McReary Award for Manliness

Formerly called the King Leonidas Award for Manliness, I decided the award should change name every year depending on who won it previously. This award is just for the biggest badass in video gaming so far. They don't necessarily have to be a man, because even if you are a chick and you can pull off some of the over the top insane shit that these motherfuckers do and STILL not give a fuck about it in the end, then you are considered manly.

Alex Mercer (Prototype)

He is a bit of a dick and can't seem to let go of grudges, but anyone who can singlehandedly destroy a flock of Tanks with just his hilariously oversized fists is a manly man. Plus did you SEE his Ex-Girlfriend? Despite the fact that she is a stone cold bitch he was still hitting that shit at some point in his Pre-Amnesia life and that alone gives him some man-points.

Little Mac (Punch-Out!!!)

He's been gone for awhile, but Little Mac is back in a big way and still knocking motherfuckers out in a big way. Also to up his status on the MAN Scale he can now go into a roid rage and go apeshit. Finally showing us how the hell someone like him stays in that shape after all of these years. Wellness Violations are manly, too.

Rufus (Street Fighter IV)

I hate Rufus. I really do. But no one can deny chest hair as manly as that. He might be a fat ball of fat but anyone who can bust out those awesome skills to annoy AND destroy in Street Fighter deserves to be up here. All of his moves are named after wonderful geek things and he is pretty much what every weeaboo in the world WISHES they were. So Rufus, this nomination is for all of the fat kung-faux masters out there. You've earned it.




Chris Redfield (Resident Evil 5)

Speaking of steroids, Chris Redfield's arms look like they are about to burst. He might not have been in the BEST game out of the RE series but anyone who can travel to Zombie Infested Africa and make it out alive...especially with such an idiot for a partner is a man in my book. Although he can't hold a candle to HUNK and Leon Kennedy, since they didn't have games this year Chris will have to see if he can hold the title.

Cole McGrath (inFamous)

I admittedly have no played InFamous yet, so I am strictly going on what I have seen of the game and what my PS3 owning friends have told me. Apparently Cole McGrath is one manly motherfucker. He can shoot electricity all around; can choose to be a good guy or an evil prick and HE CAN SHOOT ELECTICITY ALL AROUND. Add to the fact that he was a Bike Messenger, the manliest of all professions, and we have ourselves a pretty decent candidate for the Manly Award.



Game Mechanic/Character That Can Die in A Fire

This is pretty simple and straightforward. What video game character (or game mechanic) has made you wish that they (or the perpetrators) died in a fire? It could be that one annoying character from the game you love or something in the game that just makes it not fun. Past 'winner's have included Informant Missions from Assassin's Creed and Casual Games. Who joins the wonderful list of burn patients this year?


Sheva Alomar (Resident Evil 5)

Proof that being hot can only get you so far. She is a HUGE step up from Ashley McUseless but not by much. She has tons of guns she can use but for some season she seems almost sexually attracted to using her goddamn pistol. On top of that she does not understand the concept of GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY WHEN I AM TRYING TO SHOOT STUFF. Although a lot of my RE5 deaths aren't due to her dying, but me trying to not kill her which results in my dying. What the hell kind of 'partnuh" is that?

Glass Joe v2 (Punch-Out!!!)

Okay. I'll say it. I lost to Glass Joe. I'm not proud of it but FUCKING CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENSE MODE IS FUCKING WRONG. Who the hell said he could get HEADGEAR? That is just fucking FUCKED THE FUCK UP. You see how many F-bombs I've dropped here? That how much Glass Joe v2 makes me hate him. There is no reason why I should lose a Frenchman EVER. Not even Napoleon!



Rage Quitting

This sort of spans a lot of games that have come out this year, but oh my fucking god do I hate it. If you are losing, just take the loss like a fucking man (or woman) and be done with it. Rage Quitting isn't a mechanic built into games but it is something that needs to be addressed. Maybe put a timer block on when they can rejoin or add a loss to the record (looking at you, UFC) but something needs to be done about THAT shit.


Seth (Street Fighter IV)

Gonna keep it simple here. I just fucking hate you. I know final bosses in fighting games are supposed to be cheap but SERIOUSLY. Sonic Boom Sonic Boom Sonic Boom Sonic Boom Sonic Boom Sonic Boom Shoryoken Shoryoken Sonic Boom Sonic Boom Sonic Boom Sonic Boom Kick Drill thingy Kick explosion thingy Sucks into a belly and fires at screen thingy. I just wrapped up a Seth match for you. You're welcome.


The "This Is Not Going to End Well" Award

We at Working Title sure are a negative bunch, so this is an award to persistent pessimism. Be it for one reason or another these games have a certain "Eh...I dunno..." feeling about them. They could end up being the best games of the year or end up crashing and burning. Unfortunately, these games are here for the latter reason. For some reason or another these games might not end up doing as well as people hope...

Left 4 Dead 2

Now I am a HUGE fan of Left 4 Dead, and even then I can't shake the feeling that this game might not end up as well as I wish it would. Make no doubt about it, I am going to buy and play the shit out of L4D2, but something just tells me that the boycott and all of the other factors might work against it more than it will help it in the long run.

Halo 3: ODST

Now going from a game that everything things is a fullprice upgrade to a game that IS a full priced upgrade we look at ODST. I am not the biggest Halo fan so I won't be picking this up but I am sort of surprised they decided to trot this out as a full price game when it only offers about 6 more hours of game play and a new multiplayer mode. Where's the boycott for this one, hmmm? I think it'll be a fine game overall but I do not see it doing well when you factor in the price point.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

It's a mature title for the Wii. It's the doubled edged sword of gaming because the hardcore fans will bitch and moan about the lack of hardcore...but then won't buy the hardcore that is made for the console. Couple this with the fact that the Silent Hill fan boys already seem to be bitching over this one and it does not look like it's going to be a good trip back to Silent Hill.


The Dormroom Dominator Award

While money is thin nowadays many people probably aren't playing in Dormrooms, but the name isn't fuckin changing. This award is basically the best multiplayer game of the year (so far) award. These are the games that if you walked into any dorm room or slacker house in America you would find these games in SOMEONE'S console. It's a good thing Madden comes out at the end of the year, eh?


UFC Undisputed

This is the first good UFC game EVER. You can say all you want about the older games and how they are good but it's all lies and half truths. This game was hyped to DEATH thanks to the world's love of MMA and the lifestyle. Because drunken bar fights, football, and wrestling just got too damn old. Either way this game is definitely on the list and I think is probably one of the biggest hits so far this year.

The Godfather 2

You know what? I didn't like this game. I don't know anyone who really liked this game...but for some reason it is getting a TON of play online? Is it an easy achievement game or something? I dunno. Maybe I am just missing something...but it doesn't look like EA misses it at all seeing as they pretty much said "Fuck you" to a third one. Damn shame...I think.



Red Faction: Guerilla

Saints Row...IN SPAAAAAAACE. No...really, that's what it is. And it's fun. Although I do love how this game severe lack of wiggers, now we just have endless jokes of 'GETCHA AUS TUU MAHS' jokes. Destructible Environments, downright wacky ass game play and fun as fuck online spell a good thing as far as this game goes.



Workaholics Halftime Game of the Year

Now here is where it gets funny. There are NEVER set nominations for this category. Basically in the comments you will vote for what you think will be in. And that will be the winner. If it ends up being too close or we don't get enough votes then in this spot next week I will make a list of nominees and have you vote on them. So unless you want me to list "Highschool Musical 3" as Game of the Year So Far, then I highly suggest you vote.

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Now that wraps up the insanely short version of Working Title this week. Next week we will announce the winners and detail and also talk about the games that have yet to come out. Until next time, I'm Jordan Williams and...That Magic game on Xbox 360 is balls hard. Harder than the REAL Magic game.