Final Set of 2015 Pastapadre Community Award Winners
by 
After a few weeks of collecting votes – the total of which exceeded 28K – it’s time to announce the final group of winners of the 2015 Pastapadre Community Choice Awards. The first five awards were handed out last week. In this set of reveals the categories being awarded are Best Online Play, Best Franchise Mode, Best New Feature, Best New/Non-Yearly Sports Game, and Best Sports Game of the Year.
Best Online Play: Madden NFL 16 (43%)
For the fifth straight year the Madden NFL franchise takes home the award for having the best online experience. A combination of reliable and consistent performance and various ways to play allowed it to stay out in front despite a strong challenger emerging. The NBA 2K series has long suffered from having a poor online experience, but stability has been achieved with 2K16 and with new innovative features having been added now it’s a real contender going forward. Voters recognized that with 38% in the polling. NHL 16 also got a good deal of credit for its EASHL revival drawing the final 19%.
Best Franchise Mode: NBA 2K16 (62%)
NBA 2K16 offers up two different rich Franchise experiences with MyGM and MyLeague, making it unlikely to be toppled until a competitor makes a strong and innovative push with their Franchise modes – something that hasn’t been even attempted in recent years. MLB 15: The Show pulled in 21% while Madden NFL 16 finished with 17%. It’s a back-to-back victory for NBA 2K in the category following three straight years of Madden being considered the gold standard.
Best New Feature: Year-to-Year Saves (36%)
In what would probably be considered an upset, the Year-to-Year Saves feature for MLB 15: The Show pulled off the victory for Best New Feature. It’s the third straight year the series has won in the category, which goes against a seemingly widely held belief out there that SCEA doesn’t change the game much or innovate. With two features in the running NBA 2K16 had the runner up (Team Creation/Relocation with 25%) and fourth place finisher (2K Pro-Am with 10%). Madden NFL 16’s Draft Champions pulled in 23% and the new take on EA Sports Hockey League in NHL 16 gathered the remaining 6%.
Best New/Non-Yearly Sports Game: Rocket League (81%)
There were only two games that really earned the recognition to be nominated and the winner was never in doubt. Rocket League was not just one of the best sports games of the year but it was one of the best games period. Forza 6 was fantastic, but Rocket League delivered the type of experience that has been completely absent over recent years. Its popularity has proven uniquely creative games can be successful when they have appeal to a wide audience.
Best Sports Game of the Year: NBA 2K16 (47%)
It would have been a shock had any other game come out on top in 2015. NBA 2K16 offered the most content, the most innovation, and delivered on almost every marketing promise. It led the way in nominations with eight and came away with five wins including Best Sports Game of the Year. It’s the first time a series has won in back-to-back years, and 2K’s third victory in four years. The runner up was MLB 15: The Show (19%) with Rocket League (18%) right on its heels. Madden NFL 16 (13%) and Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 (3%) rounded out the field.
2015 Community Awards Final Tally
NBA 2K16 – 5 Wins
MLB 15: The Show – 2 Wins
Madden NFL 16 – 2 Wins
Rocket League – 1 Win