Best of 2011: Developers' Pick
Game creators tell us what they can't wait to play.
Antti Ilvessuo is co-founder and creative director of RedLynx, the developer of hugely successful Xbox Live Arcade game Trials HD.
"All new games on all different platforms. I have all the consoles at home and I'm trying to play all games so cannot name one. Good games generally. Also I'm planning to implement a voice changer module to my son's duct tape custom build robot helmet and more LED lights. And we're practicing Ninja jump to pool with my daughter. She's getting good at that. That's cool to await."
Nathan Vella is president and co-founder of Capybara Games, developer of Critter Crunch and Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes.
"I can't wait for Journey. The concept alone was already tugging at my heartstrings before I heard thatgamecompany's Robin Hunicke and Jenova Chen give their Journey Prototyping talk at IndieCade 2010, but afterwards it invaded my soul.
"TGC have already proven they can make beautiful, interesting and important single player experiences; now I believe they will do the same with multiplayer, coupled with a captivating audio/visual style to boot.
"It can't come soon enough, and I sincerely hope I am not the only one to name Journey as my most anticipated game. I would also add that Derek Yu's Spelunky is a close second, and will probably suck months of my life after it arrives."
Jack Emmert is co-founder and COO of Cryptic Studios, and one of the brains behind MMORPGs City of Heroes, City of Villains, Champions Online and Star Trek Online. Cryptic is currently developing Neverwinter.
"The Old Republic! No studio has a better track record and few IPs are as cool as Star Wars!"
Markus "Notch" Persson is creator of hit PC game Minecraft.
"Skyrim, all the way. Portal 2, Duke Nukem Forever, Dragon Age 2 and Arkham City all fade in comparison with how much I'm looking forward to Skyrim."
Craig Morrison is a game designer and director at MMORPG developer Funcom. His credits include Anarchy Online, Dreamfall and Age of Conan.
"Probably Portal 2. The original was a game I liked almost without reservation, and it was an unexpected hit that blindsided most people. That means the folks at Valve have a challenge with this one, but I think they might well be up for it.
"What I have seen so far though makes me look forward to getting my hands on the portal gun again. They always have much greater character in their titles than many give them credit for, so I have high hopes for this one."
Edmund McMillen is co-CEO of Team Meat and one half of the development team behind rock hard platformer Super Meat Boy.
"I'd say the game I'm most excited about next year is SpyParty, even though it might not come out next year. What I've played of it so far is beyond awesome and even an update next year would steal my life away for a good week. I'm also looking forward to The Witness, if it's scheduled for next year as well."
John Vechey is co-founder of PopCap Games, creator of Peggle, Plants vs. Zombies and the Bejeweled series.
"Diablo 3. Me and some fellow PopCappers have a three day, no sleep, constant mayhem LAN party planned. It'll be a slaughter orgy with a Witch Doctor, Monk and Demon Hunter plus pizza and Redbull."
Ken Levine is the founder of and creative director at Irrational Games. He has worked on System Shock, Freedom Force and BioShock. He is currently working on 2012 title BioShock Infinite.
"Diablo 3/Torchlight 2. Papa needs some of that sweet, sweet loot grinding."
Compiled by Fred Dutton, Robert Purchese and Wesley Yin-Poole. This is the second in a two-part feature.