The Spotlight Awards (GDC) was hosted annually by the Game Developers Conference from 1997 to 1999. Its focus was on the video and computer game industry. GDC now hosts another video game award ceremony called Game Developers Choice Awards since 2001.

List of winners

Best Game

1997 : Super Mario 64

Best Console Game

1997 : Super Mario 64

1998 : (not awarded)

1999 : The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Best PC/Mac Game

1997 : Civilization II

1998 : (not awarded)

1999 : Half-Life

Best Arcade Game

1997 : Virtua Fighter 3

Best Action Game

1997 : Duke Nukem 3D

1998 : Quake II

1999 : Half-Life

Best Adventure Game/RPG

1997 : The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

1998 : Final Fantasy VII

1999 : Baldur's Gate

Best Sports Game

1997 : NHL Hockey '97

1998 :

1999 : NFL Blitz

Best Multiplayer Game

1997 : Quake

1998 : Quake II

1999 : StarCraft

Best Strategy/War Game

1997 : Command and Conquer: Red Alert

1998 :

1999 : StarCraft

Best Simulation Game

1997 : MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries

1998 : (not awarded)

1999 : Gran Turismo

Best Flight or Flight Combat Simulator

1998 :

Best Military Simulation

1998 :

Best Trivia or Puzzle Game

1997 : You Don't Know Jack XL

1998 :

1999 : You Don't Know Jack 4: The Ride

Best Educational/Children's Game

1997 : Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse

1998 :

1999 : Lego Creator

Best Use of Audio

1997 : Quake

1998 : PaRappa the Rapper

1999 : Half-Life

Best Music or Soundtrack

1997 : Quake

1998 : Blade Runner

Best New Technology

1997 : Nintendo 64 from Nintendo

1998 :

Best Use of Innovative Technology

1997 : Super Mario 64 for the N64

Best Use of Graphics

1998 : Quake II

1999 : Half-Life

Best Use of Video

1997 : Wing Commander IV

Most Innovative Game Design

1998 : PaRappa the Rapper

1999 : The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Best Script, Story or Interactive Writing

1997 : You Don't Know Jack XL

Best Adaptation of Linear Media

1997 : I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Best AI (Artificial Intelligence)

1999 : Half-Life

Best Animation

1997 : Tomb Raider

Best Prerendered Art

1997 : Zork Nemesis

Annual Achievement Award for Game Design and Development

1998 : Age of Empires

Lifetime Achievement Award for Game Design and Development

1998 : Dani Bunten Berry

1999 : Louis Castle