CALABASAS, CA – January 17, 2008 – The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences® (AIAS) today announced the nominees for the 11th annual Interactive Achievement Awards®. The nominations for the peer-based awards have been dominated by two blockbuster first-person shooter games, BioShock (2K Games) and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision) by receiving an astounding 10+ nominations from industry leaders and members of the interactive entertainment software business. In addition, finalists in close lead with top nominations include: The Orange Box (Electronic Arts and Valve Software), Rock Band (MTV) and Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo of America), all up for the Overall Game of the Year Award.
The awards ceremony will take place during The D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit® 2008 on February 7 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, with comedian, actor and proud game enthusiast, Jay Mohr returning for his third year to host the award ceremony.
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These peer-based awards recognize the outstanding products, talented individuals and development teams that have contributed to the advancement of the multi-billion dollar worldwide entertainment software industry. The Interactive Achievement Awards for the first time can be viewed live via webcast on GameSpot (www.gamespot.com) and Comcast HD Video on Demand. This gives game enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to experience first-hand the excitement as the coveted Interactive Achievement Awards are presented to the geniuses and giants behind the most popular video games of the year.
“This year’s finalists reflect the commitment game makers have to create compelling, engaging and exciting experiences for the expanding game playing audience,” said Joseph Olin, president, AIAS. “The 2008 nominees represent the tremendous talent and passion that our members bring to their craft. The Interactive Achievement Awards are dedicated to acknowledging the men and women who create these innovative and excellent games.”
Following is a partial list of finalists; the complete list of finalists is available at www.interactive.org:
Overall Game of the Year:
BioShock
* Publisher: 2K Games
* Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
* Publisher: Activision
* Developer: Infinity Ward
Rock Band
* Publisher: MTV Games
* Developer: Harmonix
Super Mario Galaxy
* Publisher: Nintendo of America
* Developer: Nintendo
The Orange Box
* Publisher: Electronic Arts / Valve Software
* Developer: Valve Software
Console Game of the Year:
BioShock
* Publisher: 2K Games
* Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
* Publisher: Activision
* Developer: Infinity Ward
Mass Effect
* Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
* Developer: BioWare
Rock Band
* Publisher: MTV Games
* Developer: Harmonix
Super Mario Galaxy
* Publisher: Nintendo of America
* Developer: Nintendo
Computer Game of the Year:
BioShock
* Publisher: 2K Games
* Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
* Publisher: Activision
* Developer: Infinity Ward
Crysis
* Publisher: Electronic Arts
* Developer: Crytek
The Orange Box
* Publisher: Electronic Arts/Valve Software
* Developer: Valve Software
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
* Publisher: Vivendi Games
* Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Outstanding Innovation in Gaming:
Assassin’s Creed
* Publisher: Ubisoft
* Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
BioShock
* Publisher: 2K Games
* Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Rock Band
* Publisher: MTV Games
* Developer: Harmonix
Super Mario Galaxy
* Publisher: Nintendo of America
* Developer Nintendo
The Orange Box
* Publisher: Electronic Arts/Valve Software
* Developer: Valve Software
Handheld Game of the Year:
Drawn to Life
* Publisher: THQ
* Developer: 5th Cell
Jeanne d’Arc
* Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
* Developer: Level 5
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
* Publisher: D3 Publisher of America
* Developer: Infinite Interactive, 1st Playable Productions
Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters
* Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
* Developer: High Impact Games
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
* Publisher: Nintendo of America
* Developer: Nintendo
Since 1998, the Interactive Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding games, individuals and development teams that have contributed to the advancement of the multi-billion dollar worldwide entertainment software industry. More than 160 titles were played and evaluated by members of the Academy’s Peer Panels. These panels; one for each award category, are comprised of the game industry’s most experienced and talented men and women who are experts in their chosen fields. Interactive Achievement Award recipients are then determined by a vote of qualified Academy members, which is secret, conducted online and supervised and certified by VoteNet Solutions, Inc. The integrity of the system, coupled with a broad-based voting population of AIAS members, makes the Interactive Achievement Awards the most credible, respected and recognized awards for interactive entertainment software.
