WOW! The Interactive Achievement Awards were Extraordinary!

Dear Members, 

Last week I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Interactive Achievement Awards (http://www.interactive.org/awards/annual_awards.asp?idAward=2010) with the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. 

It reminded me of why I love this industry and the fantastic games you all produce. 

I won't go into who won what and why, instead I will talk about how far we've come as an industry.  In our lifetimes we have gone from ZERO to OMG.  The advances in technology, storytelling, casual game play, connectivity, distribution, and on and on and on...  are absolutely beyond belief.

And what else, YOU, game developers, have stepped up and reached further still.  From Flower to Scribblenauts to Farmville, the game industry is a whole new world from where it was when this year's Pioneer Award winner David Crane was making a blocky guy; run, climb and jump in Pitfall! 

I am consistently impressed with the people involved in Video Game development in regards to their capacity to dream, and to express that dreaming in the creation of worlds that other non-dreamers can share.  The Interactive Achievement Awards really celebrate that.

I would also like to compliment Joseph Olin, his Board, and his incredible team for putting together a high quality conference and awards program.  The AIAS is an excellent group and a great partner to the IGDA.  I look forward to our continuing collaboration on the Awards and other opportunities.

OK, now I gotta go play something...

 Best,

Joshua

Joshua Caulfield

Executive Director

IGDA