The venerable Tim Schafer is soon to be awarded for his indie spirit.
IndieCade, the International Festival of Independent Games, has announced that Tim Schafer will be bestowed with the organization’s first ever Honorary Trailblazer award. Tim Schafer is the founder of independent studio Double Fine Productions, but is probably best known for previous work as a designer on classic LucasArts adventure titles such as Monkey Island, Full Throttle, Grim Fandango, and Day of the Tentacle.
Double Fine has released Brutal Legend and Psychonauts since being founded in 2000, though it has four new downloadable titles currently in the pipeline. Of the four, only Costume Quest has been revealed.
The Trailblazer award is new this year and intended to go to a recipient that has “displayed extraordinary vision and creativity in the field of game design, while serving as an inspiration to up-and-coming designers in the field,” a press release reads. Stephanie Barish of IndieCade says: “Tim and his games embody the risk-taking, boundary pushing spirit at the heart of the independent gaming community, and he is a true role model to legions of up-and-coming game makers.” Schafer has responded to the honor with: “Holy cow. I had no idea I was so old.”
Every year, IndieCade holds an awards ceremony highlighting the best and brightest independent videogame creations, featuring categories such as gameplay innovation and aesthetics. Finalists in the past have included titles such as Braid, Machinarium, and Zeno Clash, while this year’s show has nominated the likes of Limbo and VVVVVV.
The awards ceremony for IndieCade 2010 is sold out, but passes are still available for the other portions of the conference, which runs from October 8-10 in Culver City, CA. For those interested in upcoming indie titles, it might be worth the trip, and now you could even meet Tim Schafer in the bathroom.
