Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences is a non-profit organization that promotes and recognizes excellence in the video game industry, with members including renowned developers like Shigeru Miyamoto, Hideo Kojima, and Sid Meier. The organization is dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation in interactive entertainment, with ties to influential companies like Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard, and Ubisoft. With its roots in the 1990s, the organization has evolved to include members from various sectors, such as Microsoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Nintendo. The organization's efforts are also supported by notable industry figures, including Gabe Newell, John Carmack, and Will Wright.

● History

The organization was founded in 1992 by a group of industry professionals, including Andrew Sears, Joseph Olin, and Peter Main, with the goal of promoting and recognizing excellence in interactive art and science. Since its inception, the organization has grown to include members from over 400 companies, including Rockstar Games, Valve Corporation, and Bethesda Softworks. The organization's history is closely tied to the evolution of the video game industry, with notable milestones including the release of Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The organization has also been influenced by the work of pioneers like Alan Kay, Brenda Laurel, and Jaron Lanier, who have shaped the field of human-computer interaction.

● Organization

The organization is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and is governed by a board of directors that includes industry leaders like Michael Gallagher, Min Kim, and Strauss Zelnick. The organization is divided into several committees, including the game developers committee, which is chaired by Tim Sweeney, and the publishers committee, which is chaired by Bobby Kotick. The organization also has partnerships with other industry groups, such as the Entertainment Software Association and the International Game Developers Association, as well as companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook. Additionally, the organization collaborates with academic institutions like Carnegie Mellon University, University of California, Los Angeles, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Awards

The organization presents several awards annually, including the D.I.C.E. Awards, which recognize excellence in game design, game engineering, and game art. The awards are voted on by members of the organization, and have been presented to notable games like The Last of Us, Portal, and Minecraft. The organization also presents the Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the video game industry, such as John Romero, Richard Garriott, and Sid Meier. Other notable awards include the Hall of Fame Award, which has been presented to industry legends like Shigeru Miyamoto, Will Wright, and Peter Molyneux.

● Events

The organization hosts several events throughout the year, including the D.I.C.E. Summit, which brings together industry leaders to discuss the latest trends and innovations in interactive entertainment. The organization also hosts the D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony, which is attended by industry professionals and celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day, and Nolan North. Other events include the Game Developers Conference, which is co-located with the Independent Games Summit, and the Electronic Entertainment Expo, which is organized by the Entertainment Software Association. The organization also participates in events like PAX, Gamescom, and Tokyo Game Show.

● Membership

Membership in the organization is open to professionals in the video game industry, including developers, publishers, and industry service providers. Members include companies like Tencent Holdings, NetEase, and GungHo Online Entertainment, as well as individuals like Hideo Kojima, Gabe Newell, and Jonathan Blow. Members have access to exclusive events and networking opportunities, as well as resources and services like the game developers conference and the industry research report. The organization also offers membership benefits like access to IGDA events and GDC sessions, as well as discounts on Unity and Unreal Engine software.

● Notable Programs

The organization offers several notable programs, including the D.I.C.E. Scholars program, which provides scholarships to students pursuing careers in game development. The organization also offers the Mentorship program, which pairs industry professionals with students and young professionals, and the Women in Games initiative, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the video game industry. Other programs include the Game Developers Conference scholarship program, which is supported by companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, and the IGDA foundation program, which provides funding for game development projects. The organization also collaborates with initiatives like Girls Who Code and Code.org to promote STEM education and diversity in the industry.