Giant dragons helped Skyrim scoop top prizes at the most prestigious computer games awards ceremony in the country.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim picked up Ultimate Game of the Year, as well as two other awards, at the 30th annual Golden Joystick Awards last Friday.
The ground-breaking role-playing game allows players to explore the mythical world of Tamriel, populated by dragons, wizards, warlocks and elves.
It also scooped the Best RPG and Top Gaming Moment awards, at the ceremony hosted in London, by game-nut comedian Ed Byrne.
Published by powerhouse American games company Bethesda, Skyrim was almost universally lauded by critics who praised the graphics and excellent gameplay.
The long-running football franchise FIFA was honoured by the Outstanding Contribute award, and FIFA 12 won the Best Sports Game category, defeating once-fierce rivals Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 12.
Ultra-violent Grand Theft Auto 5 was voted the most anticipated game of 2013, currently being developed by UK-based Rockstar North to be released next spring.
Gamers from across the world were able to watch all the action from awards ceremony live on the voting site, thanks to an exclusive streaming deal with YouTube.
Rovio celebrated a third win in successive years for the ultra-popular Angry Birds franchise with Space following in the footsteps of Rio and the original Angry Birds to win the Best Mobile/Tablet Game.
Noted technophile Stephen Fry used a robot version of himself to presented Sony Computer Entertainment with the award for Best Handheld Game for Uncharted: Golden Abyss.
The star of forthcoming Channel 4 series Stephen Fry: Gadget Man operated a painstakingly lifelike robot to present the award, from the comfort of his own home.
James Kick, Associate Publisher of The HMV GamesMaster Golden Joystick Awards, said: “The Golden Joysticks have been bigger and better than ever – a fitting tribute to a games industry in rude health.
“This year voting doubled on our previous world record, smashing four million votes from international gamers keen to make their voice heard.
“This year’s winners represent the best of the best – here’s to 30 more years of the Joysticks.”
