This video game image released by Activision shows a scene from "Call of Duty: Black Ops II." (AP Photo/Activision)

(AP)—The artsy downloadable game "Journey" leads the pack of nominees for this year's Spike Video Game Awards.

The game received seven nods in such categories as best graphics, independent game, original score and game of the year.

Other game of the year nominees are "Assassin's Creed III," ''Dishonored," ''Mass Effect 3" and "The Walking Dead: The Game."

The nominees in the best shooter category are "Borderlands 2," ''Call of Duty: Black Ops II," ''Halo 4" and "Max Payne 3."

The 10th annual ceremony on Dec. 7 will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and broadcast live on Spike.

This video game image released by Activision shows a scene from "Call of Duty: Black Ops II." (AP Photo/Activision)

The show will feature debut footage from such upcoming games as "The Last of Us" and ": Judgment," as well as musical performances by Linkin Park and Tenacious D.