Red Dead Redemption Wins VGA Shootout

Rockstar had the chance to finally pat itself on the back this weekend as Red Dead Redemption was voted Game of the Year by Spike TV's Video Game Awards audience.

The free-roaming Western saw off some stiff competition from the likes of God of War III, Halo: Reach, Mass Effect 2 (which won Game of the Year at the UK's Golden Joysticks in October) and Christmas #1 favourite Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Red Dead Redemption also managed to win music-related awards, with recognition for Best Song (Far Away) and Best Original Score. The recent expansion episode, Undead Nightmare, grabbed Best DLC as well.

Rockstar San Diego's efforts weren't the only ones recognised. BioWare got theirs when they won the Studio of the Year award, while Mass Effect 2 still managed to win accolades in the Xbox 360 and RPG categories.

As with every year, there was room for a few surprises - Costume Quests' Downloadable Game award being a more than pleasant one. Despite nobody ever playing on a PSP in the world ever (as decreed by the entire Internets), God of War: Ghost of Sparta earned the Best Handheld Game award. The curious nature of the Best Soundtrack award - with every nominee being a form of karaoke game - did not escape scrutiny either.

Full list of winners below. Do you think these games/people/things deserved to win? Let us know in the usual place, below.

Game of the Year: Red Dead Redemption
Studio of the Year: BioWare (Mass Effect 2)
Character of the Year: Sgt. Woods (Call of Duty: Black Ops)
Xbox 360 Game: Mass Effect 2
PS3 Game: God of War III
Wii Game: Super Mario Galaxy 2
PC Game: StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
Handheld Game: God of War: Ghost of Sparta
Shooter: Call of Duty: Black Ops
Action Adventure Game: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
RPG: Mass Effect 2
Multi-Player: Halo: Reach
Individual Sports Game: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
Team Sports Game: NBA 2K11
Driving Game: Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
Music Game: Rock Band 3
Soundtrack: DJ Hero 2
Song in a Game: Far Away (Red Dead Redemption)
Original Score: Red Dead Redemption
Graphics: God of War III
Adapted Video Game: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
Performance by a Human Male: Neil Patrick Harris as Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man)
Performance by a Human Female: Tricia Helfer as Sarah Kerrigan (StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty)
Downloadable Game: Costume Quest
DLC: Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
Independent Game: Limbo
Most Anticipated Game: Portal 2