Innovation awards for console gaming and PC gaming were introduced. The console and PC awards for "Action" and "Adventure/Role-Playing" were replaced with "Action/Adventure" and "Role-Playing". Both console and PC awards had a "Family Title of the Year" game category. "Online Game of the Year" was relabeled as "Online Gameplay of the Year". This was the first year online awards for websites were not offered. The category for "Massive Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year" was also introduced. This was the final year games could be nominated for more than one console or PC genre award.[2]
Diablo II won the ceremony's top honor with "Game of the Year". The PlayStation 2 launch title SSX ended up winning the most awards at the event. Jet Grind Radio received the most nominations, but did not win a single award. Electronic Arts received the most nominations and won the most awards, some of which were for publishing SquareSoft games outside of Japan. Electronic Arts also had the most nominated games and the most award-winning games. There was also a tie between FIFA 2001 and Motocross Madness 2 for "PC Sports Game of the Year".
^"Game of the year 2001". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on 5 December 2001. Retrieved 15 January 2023.