The Black In Gaming Awards (BIG Awards) honors the outstanding achievements and contributions to video games by Black game developers and corporate allies. This year’s show digitally presents the fourth annual ceremony on Sept. 12 at 7:15 p.m. (PT) simulcasted as a part of PAX Online and on the Black in Gaming Twitch channel.
The organization is a Special Interest Group of the International Game Developers Association called Black In Gaming (BIG), also supported by the IGDA Foundation (IGDA-F), the BIG Awards are sponsored by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Unity Technologies, and Niantic Inc.
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Kahlief Adams of Spawn on Me, an award-winning podcast spotlighting news in the gaming industry, and Trinidad Hermida will host this year’s event. The show is executive produced by Laura Teclemariam and J.Patton. Each notable industry professional will be honored for their industry-changing achievements with a custom plaque featuring the Fairchild Channel F System as a commemoration to inventor Jerry Lawson.
“This industry is home to so many talented professionals. We’re honored to recognize the leaders and mentors who continue to build on long histories of making a difference in the gaming industry,” said Black in Gaming Executive Director Carl Varnado. “Shining the spotlight on their achievements, hard work, and endless creativity is our way of honoring these outstanding contributors to the gaming industry.”
This year’s winners include leaders forging new paths for games and shaping strategy on a global stage, like Champion Award recipient Sarah Bond, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Global Gaming Partnerships and Development at Xbox. The Image Award will go to Shana Bryant for her 14-year career as a successful producer at Capcom, Midway Games, and Electronic Arts.
The luminaries list continues with Chris Judge, the iconic voice of Kratos in 2018’s best selling PlayStation 4 exclusive God of War, receiving the award for Excellence in Performance. Beloved former president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, Reginald Fils-Aimé, will receive the BIG Awards’ Legacy Award.
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mike Pondsmith, founder and CEO of R. Talsorian Games, has written for several RPG lines, including Mekton, Cyberpunk, and Castle Falkenstein.
Full List of Award Recipients
Reginald Fils-Aimé – Legacy Award
Mike Pondsmith – Jerry Lawson Lifetime Achievement Award
Sarah Bond – Champion Award
Shana Bryant – Image Award
Chris Judge – Excellence in Performance
Erlson Neba – Excellence in Artistry
Raymond Graham – Excellence in Programming
Marcus Montgomery – Excellence in Product & Design
Kiro’o Games for Aurion Legacy of the Kori-Odan – Indie Developer Award
Keisha Howard – Industry Spotlight Award
Kahlief Adams – Excellence in Media
Kimberly Bryant – Education Award
Visit @BlackInGaming on Twitter and the Black In Gaming Facebook page for the latest news developments and updates.
