Gamezebo and the Casual Games Association today announced the nominees for the first annual Zeebys, honoring the best of the burgeoning casual games industry. Additionally, online voting is now open for the Zeebys people’s choice awards, allowing any casual game player to vote for their favorite games across a wide range of categories.

“Casual Games are a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. and around the world, and this unique, accessible art form demands a tailor made form of recognition,” said Gabe Zichermann, Chairman of the awards committee. “And, for the first time, a games industry awards program has been centered on the votes of the people, rather than just a peer reviewed process.”

Any casual game player from any walk of life can vote for their favorite game in the Zeebys awards by visiting the site and completing the simple voting form. Only one vote is permitted per person, but any casual game player is eligible. Voting Ends on January 31, 2007. Votes will be tallied and the winners announced at the CGA Europe: West Amsterdam Conference, on February 8, 2007. At that time, winners of the peer-selected Zeebys Craft Awards will also be announced.

There are 6 categories for the Zeebys People’s Choice Awards, including the prestigious Casual Game of the Year, for which the nominees are:

• Bookworm Adventures, PopCap Games
• Cake Mania, Sandlot Studios
• Diner Dash 2: Restaurant Rescue, PlayFirst
• Delicious Deluxe, Zylom
• Lumines II, Q Entertainment
• Luxor 2, Mumbo Jumbo
• Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects, BigFish Games
• Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst, BigFish Games
• Super Collapse 3, GameHouse/RealNetworks
• Virtual Villagers, BigFish Games

Tags: zeebys, people’s choice award, gabe zichermann, casual game of the year, vote, voting