Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences presented its first award for interactive storytelling in 1999. This inaugural ceremony honored Pokémon Red and Blue under the name Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story Development.
Organizers renamed the category to Outstanding Achievement in Story and Character Development by 2006. The title simplified again to Outstanding Achievement in Story Development two years later in 2008.
The Last of Us by Naughty Dog swept the category in 2013. This victory established a new benchmark for emotional storytelling in games during that decade.
Sony Interactive Entertainment stands as the most prolific publisher in the history of these awards. Their developer Naughty Dog holds the record for the highest number of both nominations and wins combined over two decades.
Grand Theft Auto represents the largest group of games that have never received the honor despite three nominations. Uncharted remains the most nominated franchise with four total nods but has secured multiple victories.