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	{{Under construction}}
	{{Infobox television		{{Infobox television
	\| name = Cybermania '94		\| name = Cybermania '94
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	\| producer = Peter Hayman		\| producer = Peter Hayman
	\| runtime = 2 hours		\| runtime = 2 hours
			\| company = {{Unbulleted list\|]\|]}}
	\| company = ]
	\| network = ]		\| network = TBS
	\| first_aired = {{Start date\|1994\|12\|09}}		\| first_aired = {{Start date\|1994\|11\|05}}
	}}		}}

	'''''Cybermania '94: The Ultimate Gamer Awards''''' was the first televised ] show. The two-hour show was broadcast on ] on ~~December~~ 9, 1994.		'''''Cybermania '94: The Ultimate Gamer Awards''''' was the first televised ] show. The two-hour show was broadcast on ] on November 5, 1994. Out of twelve award categories, '']'' won "Best Overall Game".

	== ~~Background~~ ==		== Format ==
			''Cybermania '94'' was produced by ] and the ].<ref name="Los Angeles Times" /> It was staged in the ] and broadcast live on TBS on November 5, 1994.<ref name="Time Extension" /> The broadcast ran for two hours with ] and ] as hosts.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly" /> ] narrated the nominee announcements.<ref name="Los Angeles Times" /> Awards in twelve categories were handed out by a range of lesser-known celebrities, interlaced with acts like ] and dancers performing to music by ], as well as comedic bits about the gaming scene.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly" /><ref name="Electronic Games" /> The "Best Overall Game", determined via ], was '']''.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly" />
	The early 1990s marked a significant period of growth for the ] industry, with increasing popularity and mainstream recognition. In response to the growing interest in video games and the need for recognition of outstanding achievements in the field, ''Cybermania '94'' was conceived as the first-ever televised video game awards show.<ref name=EW/>

	== Awards ==		== Awards ==
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	== Reception ==		== Reception ==
			The broadcast drew in 1.1% of US households.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly" /> Journalistic reception was largely negative.<ref name="Time Extension" /> ], writing for '']'', criticized the show for low production value, including missing details for games (such as platform, ], and ]), no names for people who collected awards, missed ], poor writing, and bad performances. He noted that, as a ], he never "had to endure anything like TBS' horrendous ''Cybermania '94'', the first televised attempt to integrate electronic games and the tired TV award show format".<ref name="Electronic Games" /> Chris Nashawaty for '']'' described the ceremony as "a low-rent whack at the ] without the faintest whiff of ]'s legitimacy".<ref name="Entertainment Weekly" /> In 2022, '']'' contacted several of the show's winners, of whom several reported that they had not known the show was televised.<ref name="Time Extension" />
	{{quote box\|align=left\|width=33%\|I’ve performed many valiant acts in my time as a game journalist but never have I had to endure anything like TBS’ horrendous Cybermania ’94, the first televised attempt to integrate electronic games and the tired TV award show format.\|source= —] on ''Cybermania '94''.<ref name=Kunkel/>}}

		⚫	== Legacy ==
	The telecast on TBS drew 1.1 million people over its length.<ref name=EW>{{cite web\|url=https://ew.com/article/1994/11/25/cybermania-94-ultimate-gamer-awards/\|title=Cybermania '94: The Ultimate Gamer Awards\|last=Nashawaty\|first=Chris\|work=]\|date=November 25, 1994\|accessdate=March 25, 2022}}</ref>
			''Cybermania '94'' was the first televised ] show. A teenage ] was part of the production as the "interactive products specialist", writing Shatner's narrations. He said that being at an event with the creators behind popular games like '']'' and '']'' left a big impression on him. Keighley went on to work on the annually hosted award shows of ] (]) and ] (]) until 2013. He then created ], which he hosts.<ref name="Los Angeles Times" />

		⚫	== References ==
	The reception to <nowiki>''Cybermania '94'' was mixed receiving both praise and criticism. Some reviewers praised the show for celebrating the growing influence of video games in popular culture and appreciated William Shatner'</nowiki>s lively and humorous performance as the host.<ref name=EW/> However, critics also pointed out that the show lacked the prestige and production value associated with established awards shows like the Oscars.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news \|last1= \|first1= \|date=December 5, 2017 \|title=First-ever game awards show \|work=Los Angeles Times \|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-game-awards-20171205-story.html \|access-date=}}</ref> ] ] for '']'' called the awards show "so offensive, so blathering, so downright ignorant that it deserves a more detailed scrutiny." Kunkel criticized the anonymity of those who accepted the awards, noting the show not identifying industry people such as Brian Fargo.<ref name=Kunkel>{{cite magazine\|magazine=]\|last=Kunkel\|first=Bill\|author-link=Bill Kunkel (journalist)\|title=The Kunkel Report: TBS & The Sonic Hedgehog\|page=144\|date=January 1995\|issue=11\|volume=2\|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-games-1995-01/page/144/mode/2up}}</ref> Chris Nashawaty for '']'' described the ceremony as "a low-rent whack at the ] without the faintest whiff of ] legitimacy."<ref name=EW/>
		⚫	{{Reflist\|refs=

			<ref name="Electronic Games">{{cite magazine \|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-games-1995-01/page/144/mode/2up \|title=The Kunkel Report: TBS & The Sonic Hedgehog \|first=Bill \|last=Kunkel \|author-link=Bill Kunkel (journalist) \|magazine=] \|volume=2 \|issue=11 \|date=January 1995 \|publisher=Decker Publications \|page=144 \|via=] \|access-date=August 24, 2023}}</ref>
	The eclectic mix of performers and presenters, including Leslie Nielsen and Jonathan Taylor Thomas, added an unusual and surreal dimension to the event. The inclusion of lesser-known celebrities presenting awards awkwardly contributed to the show's low-rent feel.<ref name=EW/>

			<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{cite web \|url=https://ew.com/article/1994/11/25/cybermania-94-ultimate-gamer-awards/ \|title=Cybermania '94: The Ultimate Gamer Awards \|first=Chris \|last=Nashawaty \|date=November 25, 1994 \|website=] \|access-date=August 23, 2023 \|archive-date=August 23, 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823221614/https://ew.com/article/1994/11/25/cybermania-94-ultimate-gamer-awards/ \|url-status=live}}</ref>
	The nervous audience of game programmers attending the ceremony also added to the peculiar atmosphere. The winners of the various categories were acknowledged, with games such as <nowiki>''</nowiki>Doom<nowiki>''</nowiki>, <nowiki>''</nowiki>The 7th Guest<nowiki>''</nowiki>, <nowiki>''</nowiki>Aladdin<nowiki>''</nowiki>, <nowiki>''</nowiki>Myst<nowiki>''</nowiki>, <nowiki>''</nowiki>Xplora 1: Peter Gabriel's Secret World<nowiki>''</nowiki>, <nowiki>''</nowiki>Caesars World of Boxing<nowiki>''</nowiki>, <nowiki>''</nowiki>Voyeur<nowiki>''</nowiki>, and <nowiki>''</nowiki>Mortal Kombat<nowiki>''</nowiki> emerging as award recipients.<ref name="auto1" />

			<ref name="Los Angeles Times">{{cite web \|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-game-awards-20171205-story.html \|title=Geoff Keighley's lifelong obsession to create a video game Oscars \|first=Todd \|last=Martens \|date=December 5, 2017 \|website=] \|access-date=August 23, 2023 \|archive-date=August 23, 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823221604/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-game-awards-20171205-story.html \|url-status=live}}</ref>
	Interviewing developers that attended the ceremony, ''Time Extension'' found that many of them did not realize it was going to be televised until the night of.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/flashback-before-the-game-awards-there-was-cybermania-94\|title=Before The Game Awards, There Was Cybermania '94\|last=Yarwood\|first=Jack\|work=Time Extension\|date=December 8, 2022\|accessdate=December 10, 2022}}</ref>

			<ref name="Time Extension">{{cite web \|url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/flashback-before-the-game-awards-there-was-cybermania-94 \|title=Before The Game Awards, There Was Cybermania '94 \|first=Jack \|last=Yarwood \|date=December 8, 2022 \|website=] \|access-date=August 23, 2023 \|archive-date=August 23, 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823221609/https://www.timeextension.com/features/flashback-before-the-game-awards-there-was-cybermania-94 \|url-status=live}}</ref>
⚫	== Legacy ==
	''Cybermania '94'' is historically significant as the first televised video game awards show. Its impact on the gaming industry led to the establishment of various gaming awards ceremonies in subsequent years, many of which are still held annually.<ref name="auto1"/>

			}}
⚫	== References ==
⚫	{{Reflist}}

	]		]

Revision as of 23:26, 23 August 2023

1994 American TV series or program

Cybermania '94
Genre	Video game awards
Created by	Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Written by	Bruce Pirrie
Directed by	Sue Brophey
Presented by	Leslie Nielsen Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Music by	Mike Stanutz
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Peter Hayman Andrew Zucker
Producer	Peter Hayman
Running time	2 hours
Production companies	TBS Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Original release
Network	TBS
Release	November 5, 1994 (1994-11-05)

Cybermania '94: The Ultimate Gamer Awards was the first televised video game awards show. The two-hour show was broadcast on TBS on November 5, 1994. Out of twelve award categories, Mortal Kombat won "Best Overall Game".

Format

Cybermania '94 was produced by TBS and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. It was staged in the Universal Amphitheatre and broadcast live on TBS on November 5, 1994. The broadcast ran for two hours with Leslie Nielsen and Jonathan Taylor Thomas as hosts. William Shatner narrated the nominee announcements. Awards in twelve categories were handed out by a range of lesser-known celebrities, interlaced with acts like jugglers and dancers performing to music by Herbie Hancock, as well as comedic bits about the gaming scene. The "Best Overall Game", determined via televoting, was Mortal Kombat.

Awards

Best Overall Game	Best Action-Adventure
Mortal Kombat Doom Myst NBA Jam Super Street Fighter II	Doom MegaRace Return to Zork Jump Raven Critical Path Super Street Fighter II Tomcat Alley Super Metroid
Best CD Computer Game	Best Portable
7th Guest Myst MegaRace Escape from Cyber City	Disney's Aladdin Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 Home Alone Donkey Kong The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Best Comedy	Best Art and Graphics in an Interactive Product
The Wacky World of Miniature Golf I'm Your Man Dennis Miller: That's News To Me Bugs Bunny Rabbit Rampage Dating & Mating	Myst Tuneland OceanLife II, III Space: A Visual History Mac World Interactive Vol. I, II
Best Music	Best Simulation/Strategy
Xplora1: Peter Gabriel's Secret World Video Jam Prince Interactive Freak Show The Uptown Blues	SimCity Dune II Microsoft Flight Simulator Castles II: Siege and Conquest Forever Growing Garden
Best Sports	Best Actor – Female
Caesars World of Boxing NBA Jam FIFA International Soccer NHL '94 Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball Sports Illustrated Multimedia Almanac QB1 A Great Day at the Races	*Grace Zabriskie (Voyeur)* Eileen Weisinger (Critical Path) Tonia Keyser (Man Enough) Virginia Capers (Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers)
Best Actor – Male
*Robert Culp (Voyeur)* Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek: 25th Anniversary) Tim Curry (Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers) Christian Erickson (MegaRace) Mickey Rooney (A Great Day at the Races)

Reception

The broadcast drew in 1.1% of US households. Journalistic reception was largely negative. Bill Kunkel, writing for Electronic Games, criticized the show for low production value, including missing details for games (such as platform, developer, and publisher), no names for people who collected awards, missed cues, poor writing, and bad performances. He noted that, as a video game journalist, he never "had to endure anything like TBS' horrendous Cybermania '94, the first televised attempt to integrate electronic games and the tired TV award show format". Chris Nashawaty for Entertainment Weekly described the ceremony as "a low-rent whack at the MTV Video Music Awards without the faintest whiff of Oscar's legitimacy". In 2022, Time Extension contacted several of the show's winners, of whom several reported that they had not known the show was televised.

Legacy

Cybermania '94 was the first televised video game awards show. A teenage Geoff Keighley was part of the production as the "interactive products specialist", writing Shatner's narrations. He said that being at an event with the creators behind popular games like Doom and Myst left a big impression on him. Keighley went on to work on the annually hosted award shows of G4 (G-Phoria) and Spike TV (Spike Video Game Awards) until 2013. He then created The Game Awards, which he hosts.

References

^ Martens, Todd (December 5, 2017). "Geoff Keighley's lifelong obsession to create a video game Oscars". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
^ Yarwood, Jack (December 8, 2022). "Before The Game Awards, There Was Cybermania '94". Time Extension. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
^ Nashawaty, Chris (November 25, 1994). "Cybermania '94: The Ultimate Gamer Awards". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
^ Kunkel, Bill (January 1995). "The Kunkel Report: TBS & The Sonic Hedgehog". Electronic Games. Vol. 2, no. 11. Decker Publications. p. 144. Retrieved August 24, 2023 – via Internet Archive.

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