We look back on some of the many, many amazing games of 2011, and do our best to pick a favourite amongst the surprises and letdowns. Join us to find out the Game Podium "Game of the Year 2011". We also make some predictions for 2012, which is shaping up to be another impossible year to keep up with.

There’s only been one gaming blackout in my life; circa 2001, and mainly due to Sega dropping out of the hardware business after the Dreamcast and leaving a Sega-boy like me with nowhere to go. It wasn’t long before I was hooked on Halo, and with strong support from Sega and other Japanese developers I know and love, I have remained exclusively “Xbox” for the last decade. Early in 2011, something changed, I picked up a PlayStation 3 and haven’t looked back.

id Software is responsible for numerous years of my life being consumed running around hallways looking for keys. Fact is, I’m not a single bit upset that this happened. I revel in their mastery of the subtle art of time consumption and with Rage they aim to do that in a post apocalyptic setting.

I am a huge fan of RPG’s, though I feel slightly ashamed to admit it. Being recommended a couple of games when I first picked up my Xbox a few years ago, the one that really grabbed me by the man parts was Fallout 3. Having finished that game 100% I was left wanting more, so when I learnt Oblivion was basically the same game set in a medieval fantasyland I leapt at the chance to spend any spare moment I got hunting, stealing and conjuring my time away in the world of Elder Scrolls.

We take Battlefield and Modern Warfare head-to-head, while Jonny tries to explain how and why to "Prestige". We also try to get inside Microsoft's thinking on the latest Dashboard update and Xbox mobile apps, and have our first chat about PlayStation hero Nathan Drake and his adventures. Lastly, we discuss some of the more interesting new trailers from VGA 2011... And a very Merry Christmas from all at GameAddix.com and the Game Podium team.

This year marks the 9th event from US cable TV channel Spike, which has been gathering more and more attention as the industry it celebrates has grown. Being televised (worldwide via the web), it has become an ideal opportunity for publishers to preview new and upcoming games through dramatic trailers. And for every self-professed video game loving celebrity to get in front of a camera.