files/pictures/picture-35.jpgOn May 11, 2000, The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) held the 3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. The event was hosted by comedian Martin Short and saw other celebrity presenters like Harry Shearer (THE SIMPSONS), Ahmet Zappa (MTV’S WEB RIOT) and Delroy Lindo (CIDER HOUSE RULES). Rapping up the first day of the E3 Conference, the 2000 Interactive Achievement Awards were presented with the support of Intel, Alias/Wavefront, GameWeek, Sonic Foundry and Webster Interactive. The big winner was the PC game THE SIMS which took home three prizes including game of the year. "The winner of Game of the Year, THE SIMS, was selected because of its innovation," said Jim Charne, President and Executive Director of the Academy. "With this game, you can create the home of your dreams, complete with fixtures, family life and a wide range of career paths. This simulation of family life is really more than a game. It’s what interactivity is all about." The Academy also honored Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of FINAL FANTASY, inducting him into the Academy Hall of Fame. Peer panel review boards made up of individual Academy members with specific expertise in each of the categories determined the finalists for each of the awards. For Game of the Year, Computer Game of the Year and Console Game of the Year all voting members of AIAS vote for the winners. Go here for a
complete list of the winners.
