Representatives for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) today announced that Nintendo icon and game design legend Shigeru Miyamoto will be receiving a Fellowship at this year’s GAME British Academy Video Games Awards. The awards, which will be streamed live at www.bafta.org, will take place on March 19 at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Comedian and game enthusiast Dara O Briain will host the awards.
Miyamoto's official title is General Manager of Nintendo Entertainment, Analysis & Development, but he's of course best known for his amazing creations like Mario Bros., Zelda, Donkey Kong, Wii Fit, Nintendogs and more. BAFTA cites Wii Music... but we'll let that one slide.
“I am very grateful to be able to receive such an honorable award from the British Academy. Our video games cannot be created by one person; since Donkey Kong until the most recent New Super Mario Bros. Wii, I have been working closely with a number of friends for three decades in order to develop fun and enjoyable games," Miyamoto commented. "I would like to receive this honorable award on behalf of all of these dependable colleagues.”
David Parfitt, Chairman of the Academy, added, “The Fellowship is the highest accolade the Academy can bestow on an individual for their creative work and we are honoured to have Miyamoto with us to accept his award. With previous honourees including Hitchcock, Kubrick and Pinter, it is only fitting that Miyamoto be recognized alongside these other pioneers for his groundbreaking work. He helped to develop an entire creative industry and is still a major force in its continuing success.”
