Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Andrew S. Zucker, an attorney in the entertainment industry, founded the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in 1991. The organization began as a loose coalition rather than a formal non-profit entity. It co-promoted events with groups like the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Directors Guild of America. Their first awards show program arrived in 1994 under the name Cybermania '94. Leslie Nielsen and Jonathan Taylor Thomas hosted that initial broadcast on TBS. A second show followed in 1995 and became the first awards program to stream over the Web. That web broadcast drew far fewer audiences than the original television event.
Video game industry leaders decided they wanted to reform AIAS into a dedicated non-profit organization for their sector. Peter Main of Nintendo backed this effort alongside Tom Kalinske of Sega. Doug Lowenstein, founder of the Entertainment Software Association, also supported the restructuring. Funding came from the ESA to help stabilize the new structure. The AIAS was formally reestablished on the 19th of November 1996. Marc Teren served as president initially before Glenn Entis took over the role. In 1998, the group began handling what were then called the Interactive Achievement Awards. These awards were nominated and selected by game developers who were members of the organization itself.
Around 2000, the ESA pulled out of funding AIAS entirely. Members Richard Hilleman and Lorne Lanning suggested creating the D.I.C.E. Summit to provide financial stability. This convention centered around presenting awards while generating revenue for the organization. The D.I.C.E. Summit launched in 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It has run annually since that initial year. Industry executives attended these summits to network between various companies. The event aimed to connect video games to other entertainment industries beyond just gaming. Gamasutra reported on the summit's focus on business and production trends in 2007.
Joseph Olin served as the AIAS president from 2004 until his departure in 2010. Martin Rae was named president in 2012 following Olin's exit. Rae implemented changes to the Summit including shorter talk times to give more attention to speakers. He also rebranded the awards as the D.I.C.E. Awards for the 2013 summit. Mike Fischer replaced Rae as president in 2016. These transitions marked shifts in how the organization approached its mission and operations. Each leader brought different priorities to the table during their tenure.
In 2007, a keynote speaker was added to open the event. Traditionally, the conference had begun with recreation before presentations and panels started. That first keynote came from the Vice-President of Sony Pictures Entertainment who also held the role of President of Sony Pictures Digital. Film directors began appearing as keynotes starting in 2008. Valve presidents appeared as speakers in both 2009 and 2013. Activision Blizzard CEOs spoke at the event in 2010 and 2011. Bethesda Game Studios executives presented talks in 2012 and again in 2022. CCP Games CEO took the stage in 2014 while Riot Games led discussions in 2015.
Current corporate members include major publishers like Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts. Nintendo and Sony Computer Entertainment remain active participants alongside Square Enix. Ubisoft and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment round out the current roster. Former members list includes Capcom and Google among other notable companies. Big Fish Games and Harmonix once held membership status before departing. Double Fine Productions and Sega also appear on the former member list. The organization maintains a diverse group of industry players across different sectors. As of the 4th of April 2023, the full list included over thirty active corporate entities.
Common questions
Who founded the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and when was it established?
Andrew S. Zucker, an attorney in the entertainment industry, founded the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in 1991. The organization began as a loose coalition rather than a formal non-profit entity.
When did the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences officially become a dedicated non-profit organization?
The AIAS was formally reestablished on the 19th of November 1996 after video game industry leaders decided they wanted to reform the group into a dedicated non-profit organization for their sector. Peter Main of Nintendo backed this effort alongside Tom Kalinske of Sega and Doug Lowenstein, founder of the Entertainment Software Association.
What year did the D.I.C.E. Summit launch and where does it take place annually?
The D.I.C.E. Summit launched in 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada and has run annually since that initial year. Members Richard Hilleman and Lorne Lanning suggested creating the convention to provide financial stability around 2000.
Which president rebranded the awards as the D.I.C.E. Awards for the 2013 summit?
Martin Rae implemented changes to the Summit including shorter talk times to give more attention to speakers and he also rebranded the awards as the D.I.C.E. Awards for the 2013 summit. Mike Fischer replaced Rae as president in 2016 following his tenure.
Who were the keynote speakers at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences events between 2007 and 2015?
A keynote speaker was added to open the event in 2007 from Sony Pictures Entertainment while film directors began appearing as keynotes starting in 2008. Valve presidents appeared as speakers in both 2009 and 2013 and Activision Blizzard CEOs spoke at the event in 2010 and 2011 before CCP Games CEO took the stage in 2014 while Riot Games led discussions in 2015.