Even without the next two weeks' lineup of highly promising offerings, 2007 has seen more than its fair share of critically acclaimed games. Although the high quantity of high quality is unequivocally great for gamers, it's sure to create a massive headache for those looking to parse out the best of the best. Charged with the onus, Viacom-owned Spike TV unveiled its nominees for the 2007 Video Game Awards today through its official Web site.

　　This year, Spike has trimmed off a few of last year's more superfluous categories, such as Cyber Vixen of the Year (Half-Life 2's Alyx Vance in 2006, for those counting), by nominating games in 22 categories. Microsoft console-exclusives dominate the coveted game-of-the-year category, with noms this year being Halo 3 and Mass Effect, as well as BioShock and The Orange Box. 2K Games' dystopian shooter BioShock and Bungie Studios' sci-fi shooter Halo 3 received the most nominations with seven apiece. Valve Software's compilation The Orange Box semimatched that number with five overall, as well as solo nominations for Portal and Team Fortress 2.

　　To be eligible for nomination, a game's release date must fall between November 16, 2006 and December 1, 2007. The nominees were chosen by Spike TV's advisory panel, which is made of nearly two dozen game journalists, including editors from the San Jose Mercury News, EGM, Game Informer, and GameSpot. The category of most addictive game will be selected by online voters polled on the official VGA site.

　　Spike TV's Video Game Awards will air December 9 at 9 p.m. Eastern on Spike. Last year, Samuel L. Jackson emceed the event, which featured live performances from Jack Black's Tenacious D and rockers AFI. Spike has not yet announced the master of ceremonies or other entertainers for this year's event.

　　A complete list of nominees for Spike TV's 2007 Video Game Awards is listed below.

　　Game of the Year

　　BioShock

　　Halo 3

　　Mass Effect

　　The Orange Box

　　Best Shooter

　　BioShock

　　Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

　　Halo 3

　　The Orange Box

　　Best Action Game

　　Assassin's Creed

　　God of War 2

　　Super Mario Galaxy

　　Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

　　Best Rhythm Game

　　Guitar Hero Encore: Rock the 80s

　　Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

　　Jam Sessions

　　Rock Band

　　Best RPG

　　Eternal Sonata

　　Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

　　Mass Effect

　　Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3

　　Best Driving Game

　　DiRT

　　Forza Motorsport 2

　　Need for Speed ProStreet

　　Project Gotham Racing 4

　　Best Military Game

　　Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

　　Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2

　　Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas

　　World in Conflict

　　Studio of the Year

　　Bungie Studios

　　Harmonix

　　Irrational Games

　　Valve

　　Best Graphics

　　BioShock

　　Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

　　Crysis

　　Mass Effect

　　Breakthrough Technology

　　Crysis

　　Halo 3

　　Portal

　　Rock Band

　　Best PS3 Game

　　Heavenly Sword

　　Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

　　Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

　　Warhawk

　　Best Wii Game

　　The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

　　Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

　　Super Mario Galaxy

　　Super Paper Mario

　　Best Xbox 360 Game

　　BioShock

　　Halo 3

　　Mass Effect

　　The Orange Box

　　Best PC Game

　　BioShock

　　Crysis

　　The Orange Box

　　World in Conflict

　　Best Individual Sports Game

　　Skate

　　Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08

　　Tony Hawk's Proving Ground

　　Virtua Tennis 3

　　Best Team Sports Game

　　Madden NFL 08

　　NBA 2K8

　　NHL 08

　　Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007

　　Best Handheld Game

　　Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

　　The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

　　Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

　　Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

　　Best Game Based on a Movie or TV Show

　　The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar

　　Naruto: Rise of a Ninja

　　The Simpsons Game

　　Stranglehold

　　Best Soundtrack

　　BioShock

　　Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

　　Tony Hawk's Proving Ground

　　Rock Band

　　Best Original Score

　　BioShock

　　God of War 2

　　Halo 3

　　Mass Effect

　　Best Multiplayer Game

　　Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

　　Halo 3

　　Rock Band

　　The Orange Box

　　Most Addictive Game Fueled by Dew

　　Halo 3

　　Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

　　Team Fortress 2

　　Wii Sports