Will Wright Honoured by BAFTA

The first of the big names in video games to get the nod.

Video games have long suffered under stigma and stereotypes but in the last few years they've been working their way into the public consciousness. Later this month, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will honour one of the people who made that possible.

On 23 October, at its 2007 British Academy Video Games Awards, BAFTA will induct Sims creator Will Wright into the academy's prestigious fellowship, acknowledging the American's work in video games over the past two decades.

Wright is the first video game creator to be made a fellow of the academy, joining the ranks of the TV and film world who have dominated it until now.

"Will's immense, creative body of work and his continued contribution to the industry make him a most worthy recipient of the Fellowship and being such a pioneer, we are thrilled that he will be the first person to receive this honour," Hilary Bevan Jones, chairman of BAFTA, said in a statement.

Wright's work since 1984, particularly on SimCity and The Sims, has made him something of a household name. The Sims alone has sold more than 90 million copies PC, consoles, handhelds and mobile phones since it debuted in 2000.

His next game could be just as successful, if you believe the hype. Spore, a game in which you create and populate your own virtual galaxy from scratch, has been getting positive buzz for the last two years. The game, which should be out in 2008, invites you to make and trade new characters and use them to brings worlds to life.

Wright will be inducted into the BAFTA Fellowship during the British Academy Video Games Awards, which take place in London on 23 October. The ceremony will also be broadcast in the UK by Channel 4, at 11.00pm on 4 November.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo