The Writers Guild of America has created a new award to recognize excellence in videogame writing, to be presented at the 2008 Writers Guild Awards ceremony in 2008.
“Recognizing the essential role of writers behind the creative, cultural and commercial success of the videogame and new media industries,” the award is intended to raise the profiles of videogame writers and validate their contributions, as well as improve their status as writers and encourage uniform standards throughout the gaming industry. “Videogames are written and many are written very well,” said Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West. “By recognizing the skill and craft of videogame writing, the Writers Guild intend to raise the profile of these writers so that they can get WGA contracts and benefits for this work.”
“This is the first time game writers have been honored by their peers in the writing community, and it’s an important step toward the WGA’s goal of covering everything that moves on a screen,” added WGAW member Micah Wright.
Preliminary judging for the award will be done by the WGA New Media Caucus and/or members of the WGA who are active in the videogame writing field, while the final round of judging will be handled by a special panel selected from those groups. The award will be presented on February 9, 2008 at the Writers Guild Awards held simultaneously at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles and the Hudson Theater at the Broadway Millenium Hotel in New York City.
“Writers are finally being recognized and valued in the videogame industry,” said WGAW New Media Caucus member Jay Lender. “Both artistically and financially, videogames matter – and videogame writers matter to the WGA.”
