In the interests of fairness, we should also invite Microsoft, Gamestation Birmingham New Street, Rockstar North, HMV, Centresoft, Sony, Play.com and the managers of GAME Oxford Street to take a few bouquets.

Winning at the MCV Awards is a huge achievement. Fighting through to become a Finalist and then gain more votes than anyone else from our 87-strong panel of judges is not easy at all (just ask the many companies who have yet to triumph despite seven years of trying).

And even if there has been consolidation in some parts of the business over the past year, competition remains immense.

Recognition by customers, rivals and suppliers hopefully makes all the hard work worth it.

For a night at least.

SPORTS FOR ALL

Nintendo again dominated the MCV Awards, winning PR Team, Marketing Team and Games Campaign, whilst our Retail Advisory Board gave a special recognition award to sales director Andy Yates.

But this year it was EA Sports that won the Grand Prix, accepted by global president Peter Moore. This follows a tremendous performance over the past year, but is also in recognition of EA Sports’ success in the UK through a decade or more.

FIFA has been the best-selling game of the year four years running. Last year, Tiger Woods went straight in at number one for the first time.

And the brand has continued to evolve, enlivening the boxing genre with Fight Night, whilst the tennis and fitness markets will be challenged this year. EA Sports is one of the strongest brands in the games industry and has been managed brilliantly in the UK year after year.

Peter Moore rightly dedicated the Grand Prix to everyone who has played their part to date and MCV echoes that dedication to everyone who has worked on EA Sports past and present.