The first big GOTY nominees are in - from Spike actually - and, much like the Oscars for linear entertainment (what was that called again?) the level of shock and surprise is limited only by the fact that there is no shock or surprise.

Okay, are are a little peeved that some SPOnG favourites are not included. There is no Burnout Paradise; no Mario Kart: Wii; no MotorStorm Pacific Rift - there seems to be a theme developing here... There's no Speedball 2... no Call of Duty: World at War... we'll stop there. We'll show you what Spike thinks should be game of the year:

Gears of War 2 - Epic (Microsoft Xbox 360 exclusive).
Grand Theft Auto IV - RockStar (Multi-platform).
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Konami (PS3 exclusive).
Fallout 3 - Bethesda - (Multi-platform).
LittleBigPlanet - Media Molecule (PS3 exclusive).

Do you notice anything not in there? Yup, nothing from Nintendo. How the 'hardcore' must be chortling in their bedrooms. That said, Spore didn't get a look in either.

So, readers... all our choices are obviously sad and misguided. What should game of the year obviously be? To the Forum!

^{Source: Spike}