itstargetnews
the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) announced Don James, a longtime leader and cornerstone of the Nintendo of AmericaHis legacy will be honored with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
This recognition will be celebrated in the 28th year DICE Awardswhich will take place on February 13, 2025, at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas.
James joined Nintendo of America in 1981 as one of its first employees. As executive vice president of operations, he oversees multiple departments including consumer services, design, experiential marketing, real estate and facilities, manufacturing engineering, quality control, supply chain operations, purchasing, product testing, technical service and technical translation.
During his tenure, James was instrumental in creating the video game industry’s current rating system of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and the creation of the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), now known as the Entertainment Software Association (ESA ), where he served on the board.
In the early 1990s, James was the key to creating the world famous Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). He is also part of AIAS, serving as a board member since 1991.
James is also the key representative of Nintendo of America’s relationship with the Starlight Children’s Foundation. He designed the Nintendo GameCube Starlight Fun Center in 2002 and spearheaded Nintendo of America’s support of Starlight to bring games and movies to seriously ill children in hospitals.
James is also an active supporter of philanthropic organizations, including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Pratt Fine Arts Center.
“I am truly honored to receive this award from the Academy,” said James, in a statement. “This industry is full of so many talented and creative people, and it has been an absolute privilege to know and work with many of them over the decades. My career has truly been a wild and fun ride, and I am proud of all the opportunities I’ve been lucky enough to receive.
“Don James is a humble and integral part of the gaming industry, from his foundational work at Nintendo of America to his passion for the Starlight Children’s Foundation,” Meggan Scavio, AIAS President, said in a statement. . “He has driven countless impactful initiatives that have created lasting change in his career, including here at the Academy. We are thrilled to celebrate his incredible legacy and tremendous contributions to video game history.
The AIAS Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for individuals whose colleagues span a wide range of disciplines over long careers in the industry. Recipients are usually individuals distinguished for their business leadership and are not necessarily involved in the development or creative process. Through their leadership and ideology, these individuals drive significant and positive change throughout the industry.
Past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement award include: Minoru Arakawa and Howard Lincoln (2006), Ken Kutaragi (2007), Doug Lowenstein (2009), Bing Gordon (2010), Satoru Iwata (2015), Genyo Takeda (2017) and Phil Spencer (2022). More information about all special award honorees can be found here
Tickets to the 2025 DICE Summit and 28th Annual DICE Awards can be found at . Stay updated on all AIAS news by following AIAS on Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.
Source link
