9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards WELCOME Welcome to the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences’® fifth annual D.I.C.E. Summit™. The Academy is excited to provide the forum for the interactive entertainment industry’s best and brightest to discuss the trends, opportunities and challenges that drive this dynamic business. For 2006, we have assembled an outstanding line-up of speakers who, over the next few days, will be addressing some of the most provocative topics that will impact the creation of tomorrow’s video games.
The D.I.C.E. Summit is the event where many of the industry’s leaders are able to discuss, debate and exchange ideas that will impact the video game business in the coming years. It is also a time to reflect on the industry’s most recent accomplishments, and we encourage every Summit attendee to join us on Thursday evening for the ninth annual Interactive Joseph Olin, President Achievement Awards®, held at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. The creators of the top Academy of Interactive video games of the year will be honored for setting new standards in interactive entertainment. Arts & Sciences Thank you for attending this year’s D.I.C.E. Summit. We hope that this year’s conference will provide you with ideas that spark your creative efforts throughout the year.
The Academy’s Board of Directors Since its inception in 1996, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences has relied on the leadership and direction of its board of directors. These men and women, all leaders of the interactive software industry, have volunteered their time and resources to help the Academy advance its mission of promoting awareness of the art and science of interactive games and entertainment. Each director has lent his or her talent and prestige to the common concerns of the interactive entertainment industry. The Academy’s Board of Directors is composed of the following industry leaders representing Sony, EA, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Ubisoft as well as the independent development community:
Jay Cohen, Ubisoft Entertainment Joseph Olin, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Don L. Daglow, Stormfront Studios, Inc. Ted Price, Insomniac Games, Chair Rich Hilleman, Electronic Arts Josh Resnick, Pandemic Studios, LLC Don James, Nintendo of America Don Ryan, Microsoft Games Studio, General Manager Tim Langdell, EDGE Bruce C. Shelley, Microsoft / Ensemble Studios Lorne Lanning, Oddworld Inhabitants, Vice Chair Denny Thorley, Day 1 Studios, Secretary Douglas Lowenstein, The ESA Shuhei Yoshida, Sony Computer Entertainment of America Dr. Ray Muzyka, Bioware Corp.
Director, Events & Sponsorship...... Geri Gordon Miller Cover Art design...... Hamagami/Carroll Inc. Project Managers...... Nicole Condrick, Craig Mankoff Registration...... Molly Rudberg-Leshnock Program design and layout...... Mojo-Media.com Public Relations...... Rogers & Cowan Joe Funk, Jason Hinman, Shawn Smith, Matthew Springer
Volunteers...... Aditya Dave, Jeremy Gibson, Brian Haskell, Kate Interview ...... John Gaudiosi, insidevideogames.com Mantalonis, Andrew Orihuela, Ross Popoff, Pattie Tobias Renouard, Alex Shaw, Peter Van Dyke, Todd Waits, Jonathan Zabel Lyn Soo Hoo ...... Financial
©2006 AIAS. All rights reserved. ©AIAS, all rights reserved. “Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences” is a registered trademark, and “Interactive Academy,” “AIAS,” 2 AnnualAcademy Interactive of Interactive Achievement Arts & Sciences Awards “Interactive Achievement Award,” “D.I.C.E. Summit” and the Interactive Achievement Award statuette are trademarks of AIAS. All rights reserved. 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards 3 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards THE AWARDS SHOW Hosted by Jay Mohr ay Mohr is a quadruple threat. Film, over the country, earning standing ovations television, radio, and stand-up are all for his keen observations on the world and Jamong the treasures in the bag of tricks the people who live in it. he’s been working on throughout the 15-year The multi-talented Mohr had his break- career he began as a teenager. through film role as rival agent to Cruise in He has worked with superstars, matching the blockbuster hit Jerry Maguire, and fol- wits and chops with Tom Cruise in Jerry lowed up in a touching good-guy turn oppo- Maguire, Al Pacino in Simone, Eddie site Jennifer Aniston in Picture Perfect. His Murphy in Pluto Nash, and Bill Murray in other film credits include Go, Pay It Forward, Speaking of Sex. Suicide Kings, Kings Ransom and the upcom- He starred as Peter Dragon in the critical- ing films Jump Shot and The Groomsmen. ly acclaimed Fox series Action, and co-creat- Summer 2004 peaked with publication of ed, executive produced, and hosted NBC’s his book Gasping for Airtime (Hyperion), a smash reality show Last Comic Standing. darkly funny memoir of his two years in the He often guest hosts Premiere Radio’s trenches as a writer and featured performer “Jim Rome Show,” the number one syndi- on Saturday Night Live. Mohr first wowed cated sports radio program in the country SNL audiences with his dead-on impressions and is a most-requested guest on L.A.’s of Christopher Walken, Ricki Lake, Dick number one morning show, KROQ’s Vitale, and Sean Penn. Gasping is a brutally “Kevin & Bean.” honest look at both the hilarity and the flip- He sells out theaters, clubs, and colleges all side of the fun. Clear Static he Maverick self-titled debut from that drip with high fashion attitude: it sensations Clear Static evokes images of blends echoes of the romantic era into a T mascara, frilly shirts, flamboyance and fully modern sound, adding up to a unique hedonism. The band has brought rock's most blend of depth and immediacy. In early excessive era back to life–and yet they are 2005, Duran Duran invited them to open determined to not mimic the past but to play for them on their dates in the UK and in the what they want. Their sound is a spacious US. That was their first tour, and they’re production, the big drums, smooth bass barely out of their teens. Clear Static’s self stylings, the keyboards that wash across the titled debut Make -Up Sex , hits stores in mix or percolate in pinprick rhythms, vocals mid February. DJ Champion ccomplished multi-instrumentalist and new calling: Electronic music. After a decade music composer, guitar god, producer of performing and producing (under his alias A and a deeply rooted DJ within the Madmax and the Max), he finally fused his two Montreal electronic music scene, Maxime main obsessions into his opus: Chill’em all. Morin, alias Champion, is a well-known and By combining the exquisite melody of gui- talented musician. tars and familiar techno rhythms, Champion A music lover since early childhood, has created an inspired performance unlike Champion began to study his passion at the age anything else. With its sharp guitars, sensual of five. Soon after, he chanced on a partner for grooves and cleverly mixed rhythms, the music life: A electric guitar. Throughout his musical will excite your senses. It stages two types of career he has helped formed many rock and live performances with unique sounds, with punk bands and along the way discovered his Champion acting as conductor and performer.
9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards 5 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards THE PANELISTS About the awards process he Academy’s Peer Panelists perform one of the most important distinguishes the Interactive Achievement Award from any other. roles in the Academy’s award process. Panelists determine the final- All Academy voting is conducted in secret: online, supervised and certi- T ists for each award category from the total set of nominations fied by eBallot, Inc. The integrity of this system coupled with a broad- through a process of game-play, review, debate and discussion. These based voting population of the Academy’s membership assures that industry experts comprise an incredible body of accomplishments in all Interactive Achievement Award® recipients are an honor among peers. facets of game craft: art, design, engineering, animation, performance and The Academy Board of Directors thanks its Peer Panelists, who have production. That these men and women, those most involved in the cre- generously volunteered to give up their evenings and weekends to insure ation process of video games, determine tonight’s finalists and winners, that the Interactive Achievement Awards truly reflect the industry’s best.
The AIAS wishes to thank our peer panelists for their time. Rod Abernathy David Coleman Steve Gilmour Adam Levesque Jim Preston Steve Suhy Jason Ades Jason Conaway Mike Glosecki Ken Lobb Luigi Priore Brian Sullivan Amer Ajami Steve Conrad John Gnuechtel Starr Long Dave Prout Marcin Szymanski Brian Algier Eddy Cramm Juan Gril Cyrus Lum Steve Rabin Tommy Tallarico Rich Amtower Lee Crawford Benedikt Grindel Jennifer MacLean Bob Rafei Jessica Tams Pete Andrew Robert Crombie Jeffrey Gosztyla Dev Madan Tim Ramage Miika Tams Ed Annunziata Chris Cross Jeff Gregg Wes Mailman Steve Reid Chris Taylor E. Daniel Arey James Dargie James Gwertzman Mike McDonald Brian Reynolds Alessandro Tento David Arnspiger Rob Davidson Alex Hackford Matt McEnerney Chris Rickwood Mark Terrano Alan Averill Danan Davis Erik Haldi Mitzi McGilvray Tim Riley Denny Thorley Sean Baity Ian Lane Davis Lyle Hall Steve Meretzky Scot Ritchey Sandy Ting Dan Baker Charles Deenen James Hannigan Jeff Miller Brett Roark Ken Troop Ralph Barbalgallo Alan Denham Melanee Hannock Joshua Milligan Brian Robbins Jeffrey Tseng Graeme Bayless Stuart Denman Keith Harmon Ron Moravek Nile Rodgers Feargus Urquhart Chris Bennett Steve Derrick Peter Hastings Hugo Morin Frank Rooke Tony Van Dan Bernstein Jorge Diaz Chris Hedstrom Kris Morness Ron Rosenberg Jim Van Verth Nick Berry Flint Dille Amy Hennig Brian Morrisroe Ken Rosman Adam Waalks Mike Boeh Brent Disbrow Bill Hindorff Colin Munson Tanya Royer Matt Wagner Harvard Bonin Chuck Doud Stevan Hird Dave Murrant Marc Schaefgen Jack Wall Ed Boon William Douglas Alistair Hirst Ray Muzyka Adam Schimpf Ru Weerasuriya Andrew Boyd Marc Doyal Marc Taro Holmes Jeff Nachbaur Steve Schnur John Welch Kendall Boyd Amir Ebrahimi Frank Hom Dave Nash Bob Settles Jeff Wesevich Jeff Brown Jerry Edall Tom Hubina Josh Nizzi Mark Skaggs Tyler West Jason Bucher David Elton Damon Iannuzzeli Alan Noon Chris Shelton Kevin White Tracy Bush Matt Esget David Jaffe Jeannie Novak Jez Sherlock Scott White Ashley Bushore Chuck Eyler Daniel James Glenn O’Bannon Steve Sim Ryan Wilkerson Jeff Butler Noah Falstein Michael John Frank O’Connor Chip Sineni Alan Willard Greg Canessa Michael Fetterman Karlo Kilayko Paul O’Connor Andrew Sinur Rusty Williams Jeremy Cantor Brian Fleming Frank Klopecki Greg O’Connor-Read Andy Sinur Zach Wood Louis Castle Scott Foe Raph Koster Marty O’Donnell Tom Sloper Rob Wyatt Shane Caudle Nick Fortugno Chuck Kroegel Dwight Okahara Kelly Snapka David Yee Chris Chamberlain Keith Francart Bill Kydd Steve Okimoto P.J. Snavely Greg Zeschuk David Chan Derek French Denis Lacasse Rob Pardo Matt Soares Gabe Zicherman Heather Chandler Martin Galway Pascal Lalancette Frank Pape Paul Stephanouk Tim Znamenacek Jim Charne Rodney Gibbs Tim Langdell David Perry Henry Sterchi Thomas Zucotti Patrick Charpenet Frank Gigliotti Keith Lee Erik Peterson Adrian Stone Dexter Chow Jeff Gilbert Mike Legg Winifred Phillips Mike Stout Robert R. Coddington Troy Gilbert Brian Lemon JF Prata Greg Street
About the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences: he Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) was founded in standing achievements in the interactive arts and sciences; and conduct an 1996 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement annual awards show (Interactive Achievement Awards) to enhance aware- T and recognition of the interactive arts. ness of the interactive art form. The Academy also strives to provide a The Academy’s mission is to promote and advance common interests voice for individuals in the interactive entertainment community. More in the worldwide interactive entertainment community; recognize out- information about the AIAS can be found at http://www.interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards 7 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Lord British Enters the Hall By John Gaudiosi
ichard Garriott is known to millions of submarine and ventured to Antarctica. He has gamers as Lord British, which is fitting a collection of antique weapons and owns a R for an innovative game creator who moon buggy. And he’s known as well in Austin lives in a castle on a 25,000 square foot estate in for his past Halloween parties as he is for his southeast Texas. Garriott, co-founder of Origin amazing videogames. Systems with brother Robert and creator of the Lord British took some time out of his busy Ultima role-playing game franchise, is consid- schedule to reflect on his career: ered the creator of the massively multiplayer online (MMO) space. His Ultima Online was Can you talk about how the MMO industry the first game that allowed a large number of has evolved since your early days? gamers to congregate in a virtual world. Of course online games have existed as long as Nestled in his native Austin, Garriott has people have been able to connect two comput- spent recent years developing new MMO expe- ers together, which was done pretty much from riences. He’s currently working on the upcom- the beginning. That being said, I have had the Garriott on his famous nickname, Lord British: “I’ve had this name since my high players to use outside licenses. It often means they ing sci-fi RPG, Tabula Rasa, for NCSoft, the good fortune of helping to create the first “mas- school days. Some older students were giving nicknames to the younger ones. have no innovations of their own. Korean-owned publisher that is a leader in the sively” multiplayer game with Ultima Online. I was called Lord British because they claimed that I had a British accent.” MMO business. In addition to creating online When we began, 15,000 users was about the What accomplishment are you most proud of virtual worlds for others to play in the game most that had ever been seen in one game. MMOs will be successful on consoles and PCs Does the MMO industry need to move beyond when you look back at your career? designer, who created his first game, Akalabeth, Ultima Online broke new ground and proved but the focus of games will be somewhat differ- the “men in tights” gameplay? That I’ve been a meaningful part of the emergence at the age of 19, has been able to adventure to that with great game play and visuals you could ent. Consoles are great short-session, light-inter- Of course! MMOs will exist in all genres of game of an industry. It’s been a fun ride. And I am the far reaches of the real world. Garriott has bring millions of people into the market now action portals, so games like FPSs will flourish. play. But in the earliest stages, where we had so proud of my contribution, beyond the numbers. I explored the bottom of the ocean in a research referred to as the MMO genre. PCs are better at immersive, deeper relationships many other problems to deal with, beginning with am proud that I have helped bring in things like In my mind the MMO genre is still VERY with others beyond your screen, so the persist- slower-paced medieval style walking games was the storytelling, ethics, and deeper gameplay than MUCH in its infancy. MMOs have yet to create ent games will flourish on PCs, I believe. right place to start. Others are now on their way! might not have existed without me. experiences that substantially exceed the “level grind” that marks this first generation of games. How can game makers replicate the global What role do you see Hollywood IPs like Star What are you most looking forward to when mass market success of a World of Warcraft? Wars, Lord of the Rings and Star Trek playing in you look ahead? What do you see as the next big evolution World of Warcraft is arguably the best example of growing the MMO audience? Getting close to the unachievable holy grail of in MMO games? the first generation of online games, and it has Online games are still at the early stages of their games, which for me, is a virtual world deeper and So far MMOs have been slow-paced “level brought millions of new players to our genre. life cycle and this stage is a great opportunity for more complete than Ultima VII and Ultima grinds,” where you walk up to a creature and see Most people play an online game for six to nine creating new IP. Ultima, Bard’s Tale and Might and Online, with more compelling fiction and crafting who does the most “DOT”, damage over time, months if they like it, and so World of Warcraft Magic are examples of new PC based IP. Only than Ultimas IV through VI, gameplay that is fast and thus who wins the battle. Next generation is already on their second and third batch of later, when the space gets “full” do people need and realistic (perhaps with a bit of VR equipment) games will have game play that feels and acts more millions of players. So World of Warcraft is licenses such as Dungeons & Dragons, etc. to differ- and sounds and visuals at the same level as we see like offline games but still let you play with your helping to create future successes in this space! entiate themselves. I think it is a mistake for early in the movies. friends! Games like Auto Assault and Tabula Rasa are signs of the industry moving in this direction.
What impact do you see the always-on capabilities of next gen consoles having on the MMO space?
Garriott’s games have sold millions worldwide. Tabula Rasa (left) is his latest and greatest epic. The Ultima series (right) remains his masterpiece... for now.
8 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards 9 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards AWARDS AWARDS OVERALL GAME OF THE YEAR Computer Console Game of the Year Game of the Year God of War publisher F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Sony Computer Entertainment America God of War Assault Recon) developer publisher SCEA - Santa Monica publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Vivendi Universal Games developer developer SCEA - Santa Monica Monolith Productions Guitar Hero publisher Red Octane Sid Meier’s Civilization IV Guitar Hero developer publisher publisher Harmonix Music Systems 2K Games Red Octane developer developer Firaxis Games Harmonix Music Systems
Shadow of the Colossus publisher Shadow of Sony Computer Entertainment America Battlefield 2 the Colossus developer publisher publisher Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Electronic Arts Sony Computer Entertainment America developer Digital Illustions developer Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Call of Duty 2 publisher Activision Age of Empires III Call of Duty 2 developer publisher publisher Infinity Ward Microsoft Activision developer developer Ensemble Studios Infinity Ward
Nintendogs publisher Nintendo The Movies Nintendogs developer publisher publisher Nintendo EAD Activision Nintendo developer developer Lionhead Studios Nintendo EAD
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Action/Adventure Handheld Strategy Game First Person Action Game of the Year Game of the Year of the Year Game of the Year
Legend of Zelda: God of War Age of Empires III Call of Duty 2 The Minish Cap publisher publisher publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America publisher Microsoft Activision Nintendo developer developer developer SCEA - Santa Monica developer Ensemble Studios Infinity Ward Capcom
Condemned: Shadow of Grand Theft Auto: Civilization IV the Colossus Liberty City Stories Criminal Origins publisher publisher publisher 2K Games publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Rockstar Games Sega developer developer developer Firaxis Games developer Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Rockstar - Leeds Monolith Productions
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Brothers in Arms: Burnout Legends Empire Earth II Cell Chaos Theory Road to Hill 30 publisher publisher publisher publisher Electronic Arts Vivendi Universal Games Ubisoft Ubisoft developer developer developer developer Electronic Arts - UK Fusion Mad Doc Software Ubisoft Gearbox Software
Prince of Persia: Mario & Luigi: F.E.A.R. (First Encounter The Two Thrones Partners in Time Assault Recon) publisher publisher publisher Ubisoft Nintendo Vivendi Universal Games developer developer developer Ubisoft - Montreal Alpha Dream Monolith Productions
The Incredible Hulk: Nintendogs Battlefield 2 Ultimate Destruction publisher publisher publisher Nintendo Electronic Arts Vivendi Universal Games developer developer developer Nintendo EAD Digital Illusions Radical Entertainment
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Simulation Downloadable Fighting Racing Game of the Year Game of the Year Game of the Year Game of the Year
The Movies Oasis Soul Calibur 3 Forza Motorsport publisher publisher publisher publisher Activision PlayFirst Namco Microsoft developer developer developer developer Lionhead Studios Mind Control Software Namco Microsoft Game Studios
Silent Hunter III Egg vs Chicken Tekken 5 PGR 3 publisher publisher publisher publisher Ubisoft PlayFirst Namco Microsoft developer developer developer developer Ubisoft - Romania GameLab Namco Bizarre Creations
Animal Crossing: Chuzzle Fight Night Round 2 Mario Kart DS Wild World publisher publisher publisher publisher PopCap Electronic Arts Nintendo Nintendo developer developer developer developer PopCap Electronic Arts - Chicago Nintendo EAD Nintendo EAD
WWE Smackdown Need For Speed: Tradewinds Legends VS Raw Most Wanted publisher Sandlot Games publisher publisher THQ Electronic Arts developer Sandlot Games developer developer Yuke’s Co. Ltd. Electronic Arts-Vancouver
Burnout Revenge publisher Electronic Arts developer Criterion Games
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Massively Multiplayer Family Role-Playing Children’s Game of the Year Game of the Year Game of the Year Game of the Year
City of Villians Guitar Hero Jade Empire Chicken Little publisher publisher publisher publisher NCSoft Red Octane Microsoft Buena Vista Games developer developer developer developer Cryptic Studios Harmonix Music Systems Bioware Corp. Avalanche Software
Dance Dance Guild Wars Dragon Quest VII Madagascar Revolution: Mario Mix publisher publisher publisher NCSoft publisher Square Enix Activision Nintendo developer developer developer ArenaNet developer Level 5 Toys for Bob Konami
Lineage II: Sly 3: LEGO Star Wars Dungeon Siege II The Chaotic Principle Honor Among Thieves publisher publisher publisher TT Games Microsoft publisher NCSoft Sony Computer Entertainment America developer developer developer Traveller’s Tales Gas Powered developer NCSoft Sucker Punch Productions
Final Fantasy XI: Fire Emblem: Tak: The Great The Van’diel Collection Path of Radiance Juju Challenge publisher publisher publisher Square Enix Nintendo THQ developer developer developer Square Enix Intelligent Systems Avalanche Software
Radiata Stories We Love Katamari publisher publisher Square Enix Namco developer developer Tri-Ace Inc. Namco
All characters shown are the property of their respective owners 16 9th Annual Interactive Achievement 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards 17 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards AWARDS AWARDS Outstanding Achievement Sports Cellular Outstanding in Game Design
Game of the Year Game of the Year Innovation in Gaming Guitar Hero publisher NBA 2K6 Mile High Pinball Nintendogs Red Octane publisher publisher publisher developer Harmonix Music Systems 2K Games Nokia Nintendo developer developer developer Visual Concepts Bonus.com Nintendo EAD God of War publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America MLB 2006 Skipping Stone Guitar Hero developer publisher publisher publisher SCEA - Santa Monica Sony Computer Entertainment America I-Play Red Octane developer developer developer Sony Computer Entertainment America Gamevil Harmonix Music Systems Shadow of the Colossus publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Shadow of SSX on Tour One developer the Colossus Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. publisher publisher Electronic Arts Nokia publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America developer developer Electronic Arts - Canada Digital Legends developer Nintendogs Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. publisher Nintendo developer Nintendo EAD MLB 2K5: WS Edition Ancient Empires II God of War publisher publisher publisher 2K Games Glu Mobile Sony Computer Entertainment America developer developer developer Peter Jackson’s Visual Concepts Glu Mobile SCEA - Santa Monica King Kong publisher Ubisoft developer Ubisoft - Montpellier Super Mario Strikers High Seize The Movies publisher publisher publisher Nintendo Nokia Activision Psychonauts developer developer developer Next Level Red Lynx Lionhead Studios publisher Majesco Entertainment developer Double Fine Productions
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9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards AWARDS AWARDS
Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding Achievement in Outstanding Achievement Achievement in Art Direction Achievement in Soundtrack Original Music Composition in Sound Design
Shadow of F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Guitar Hero God of War the Colossus Assault Recon) publisher publisher publisher Red Octane Sony Computer Entertainment America publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Vivendi Universal Games developer developer developer Harmonix Music Systems SCEA - Santa Monica developer Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Monolith Productions
God of War SSX On Tour Rise of the Kasai God of War publisher publisher publisher publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Electronic Arts Sony Computer Entertainment America Sony Computer Entertainment America developer developer developer developer SCEA - Santa Monica Electronic Arts - Canada Bottlerocket Entertainment SCEA - Santa Monica
Peter Jackson’s Tom Clancy’s Splinter Wipeout Pure Gun King Kong Cell Chaos Theory publisher publisher publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Activision publisher Ubisoft Ubisoft developer developer developer Studio Liverpool Neversoft Entertainment developer Ubisoft - Montpellier Ubisoft
Condemned: Ultimate Spider-Man The Warriors Jade Empire Criminal Origins publisher publisher publisher Activision Rockstar Games Microsoft publisher Sega developer developer developer Treyarch Rockstar Toronto Bioware Corp. developer Monolith Productions
Kameo: Peter Jackson’s Jade Empire Burnout Revenge Elements of Power King Kong publisher publisher Microsoft Electronic Arts publisher publisher Microsoft Ubisoft developer developer Bioware Corp. Criterion Games developer developer RARE Ubisoft - Montpellier
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Outstanding Achievement in Outstanding Achievement Outstanding Achievement Outstanding Achievement Story & Character Development in Game Play Engineering in Online Game Play in Visual Engineering
Peter Jackson’s F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Nintendogs Battlefield 2 King Kong Assault Recon) publisher publisher publisher Nintendo Electronic Arts publisher Ubisoft Vivendi Universal Games developer developer developer Nintendo EAD Digital Illusions developer Ubisoft - Montpellier Monolith Productions
Shadow of Gun Guitar Hero Mario Kart DS the Colossus publisher publisher publisher Activision Red Octane Nintendo publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America developer developer developer Neversoft Entertainment Harmonix Music Systems Nintendo EAD developer Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Call of Duty: Kameo: God of War Age of Empires III Big Red One Elements of Power publisher publisher publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Microsoft publisher Activision Microsoft developer developer developer SCEA - Santa Monica Ensemble Studios developer Treyarch RARE
Brothers in Arms: Project Gotham Lumines Call of Duty 2 Earned in Blood Racing 3 publisher publisher publisher Ubisoft publisher Activision Ubisoft Microsoft developer developer developer Q Entertainment developer Infinity Ward Gearbox Software Bizarre Creations
Sly Cooper 3: Zoo Tycoon 2: Call of Duty 2 God of War Honor Among Thieves Endangered Species publisher publisher publisher publisher Activision Sony Computer Entertainment America Sony Computer Entertainment America Microsoft developer developer developer developer Infinity Ward SCEA - Santa Monica Sucker Punch Productions Blue Fang Games
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Outstanding Character Outstanding Character Outstanding Performance - Male Performance - Female Achievement in Animation About the Awards “It was a blockbuster year for video games,” said Joseph Olin, God of War Jade Empire Shadow of the Colossus president, AIAS. “The competition for the Interactive Achievement Awards was cutthroat, and all these finalists deserve credit for their publisher publisher publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Microsoft Sony Computer Entertainment America innovation and vision.” Finalists for each genre and craft category are selected by a peer developer developer developer SCEA - Santa Monica Bioware Corp. Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. panel of eight to 12 AIAS members. The members of the peer panel play and evaluate all nominated titles in their assigned catego- ry. Interactive Achievement Award recipients are then determined by a vote of qualified Academy members. AIAS voting is secret, conducted online and supervised and certified by eBallot. The Gun Gun God of War integrity of the system, coupled with a broad-based voting popula- tion of AIAS members, makes the Interactive Achievement Awards publisher publisher publisher Activision Activision Sony Computer Entertainment America the most credible, respected and recognized awards for interactive entertainment software. developer developer developer “It was a great honor to lead a panel of my fellow game develop- Neversoft Entertainment Neversoft Entertainment SCEA - Santa Monica ers, whom I respect greatly, as we played, discussed, and sometimes debated the various aspects of game design achievement for 2005,” E. Daniel Arey, creative director, Naughty Dog - SCEA. “This process of picking finalists for the AIAS Interactive Achievement Oddworld Inhabitants Prince of Persia: Prince of Persia: Awards is vital to further advancement of state-of-the-art games, in Stranger’s Wrath The Two Thrones The Two Thrones that who better than fellow peers deep in the trenches of develop- publisher publisher publisher ment to evaluate each other’s work, and to recognize innovation Electronic Arts Ubisoft Ubisoft and achievement from a discerning, industry point of view.” developer developer developer Oddworld Inhabitants Ubisoft - Montreal Ubisoft - Montreal
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Need for Speed: Rise of the Kasai Cell Chaos Theory Most Wanted publisher publisher publisher Sony Computer Entertainment America Ubisoft Electronic Arts developer developer developer Bottlerocket Entertainment Ubisoft Electronic Arts - Vancouver
Oddworld Inhabitants Jade Empire Stranger’s Wrath publisher Microsoft publisher Electronic Arts developer Bioware Corp. developer Oddworld Inhabitants
All characters shown are the property of their respective owners 26 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards FINDING THE ART IN THE GAME
Into the Pixel: An Exhibition printed, framed and hung in a gallery more than 70,000 attendees had the of the Art of the Videogame setting is an honor indeed. opportunity to view the collection. Media interest in Into the Pixel has showcases the fine art in 2006 Into the Pixel continued to grow. Stories about the videogames, as selected by jurors include: exhibition appeared in most trade world class museum curators, • Kevin Salatino, Lead Juror publications, the Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles County Museum of Art cutting-edge gallery owners USA Today’s website, the London Times • Cynthia Burlingham, Hammer Museum and much more. and industry art veterans The 2006 Exhibition seeks to expand • Ryan Church, Skywalker Ranch the conversation of how talented artists nto the Pixel is an exploration • Caryn Coleman, art gallery sixspace / are forging opportunities to create art and celebration of computer and art.blogging.la using video games as their medium – video game art, co-founded by the • Tim Langdell, University of Southern and showcase these creative contributions IElectronic Entertainment Expo California / EDGE Games to the art repertoire. (E3), the Academy of Interactive Arts Into the Pixel continues to foster a & Sciences, and the Prints & Drawings • Lorne Lanning, Oddworld Inhabitants: fascinating dialogue between the digital Council of the Los Angeles County President/Creative Director and traditional art establishments. “There Museum of Art (LACMA). • Louis Marchesano, Research Library, is simply too much talent in the video Now in its third year, Into the Pixel Getty Research Institute: Collections game world to dismiss the seriousness of has established itself as the one annual the work its many gifted artists produce,” opportunity for computer and video Last year, nearly 1000 guests joined says Into the Pixel lead juror Kevin game artists to receive critical review artists, jurors, committee members, Salatino, of the Los Angeles County of their creative achievements by media and industry insiders for the Into Museum of Art. “What I have seen in both peers in the digital art world and the Pixel Gallery Opening event at E3. the many submissions to Into the Pixel renowned fine art experts. For the artists After its unveiling, the art remained on is a dizzying array of graphic skill and whose work is selected, to see their art display for the duration of E3, where artistry using all manner of techniques in strikingly original ways.” Last year, the jury reviewed more than 140 artworks and selected only sixteen for the Exhibition. Video games are an influential aspect of pop-culture and entertainment whose impact goes beyond the digital arts to influence perspectives in art, cinematog- raphy, literature and even fashion. And behind every game character and dynamic environment are artists whose talents birthed the image seen in the 3D world. “I predict that, as more and more artistic talent is absorbed into the game world, the crossflow from discipline to discipline, from fine to applied art and vice versa, will become ever more imperceptible,” says Salatino. “Call it life influencing art, or games influencing life, or art influencing games. Or, better yet, why not just call it art?”
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