Will Wright gets BAFTA Fellowship

The Sims creator becomes the first person from the video games industry to be honoured with the accolade.

Over the last 59 years, famous names from film and TV have been inducted into the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' Fellowship. These names have included greats such as Charlie Chaplin, Richard Attenborough, Stanley Kubrick, Michael Caine, Steven Spielberg, and Alfred Hitchcock. This year, for the first time, someone from the video games industry will be honoured.

That person will be Will Wright, the creator of such games as the SimCity franchise and the megasuccessful Sims franchise. Wright is currently working on the ambitious Spore.

The BAFTA Fellowship is the highest honour that the Academy can give, and is offered to those who have made exceptional achievements and work throughout their careers. Academy chairwoman Hilary Bevan Jones commented, "Will's immense, creative body of work and his continued contribution to the industry make him a most worthy recipient of the Fellowship and being such a pioneer, we are thrilled that he will be the first person to receive this honour."

Wright will receive his award at this year's ceremony, which takes place at London's Battersea Evolution on October 23. Funnyman Vic Reeves will be hosting the event.

65 Comments

  • latchol1Sim

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 4:28 am PT

    It's great that he got it, so long as he doesn't get a big head from it...but he's already got like a zillion awards, so it shouldn't make too much of a difference, if at all.

    Video game have been losing their 'pimply 13-year-old nerd' image for the past couple of years, and this award just strengthens the idea of really mainstream games.

  • dj_b02us

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 5:04 pm PT

    he should spend less time getting awards and more time FINISHING SPORE!

  • Mattyrock

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 4:17 pm PT

    Congrats Will, You definitley have balls...

  • grognard

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 11:15 am PT

    It's great to see gaming finally getting the respect it deserves and I can't think of someone more deserving than Mr. Wright.

  • 1357900

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 10:44 am PT

    Many Congratulations to you Mr. Will Wright, You more than deserved it. Nicely done, indeed.

  • Ground_Zero

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 7:30 am PT

    congrats will

  • Ahp12

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 2:59 am PT

    well deserved, congratulations will wright

  • Lev_Arris

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 11:36 pm PT

    /bow to Will Wright

  • saskue327

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 5:59 pm PT

    will wright you deserve it

  • Lewos1

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 3:24 pm PT

    the beginning of the next step for the games industry - real mainstream recognition...

  • CyberKillerZ

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 3:02 pm PT

    Congratulations Will Wright!

  • nintendorocks

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 2:56 pm PT

    That's amazing! Congratulations Will Wright!

  • koopatroopa1015

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 2:31 pm PT

    pretty cool

  • ryanstoy91

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 1:41 pm PT

    He definitely deserves it.

  • tycoonmike

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 1:20 pm PT

    Good to see that someone from the VG industry, far from being complained to for setting a bad example for the children (and yes, sarcasm loses its affect over the internet) is actually receiving a highly honored award for his work.

  • MasterChief725

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 12:55 pm PT

    I just wish he wasnt developing for EA!

  • Pete5506

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 12:49 pm PT

    cool

  • Lindsay123456

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 12:40 pm PT

    cool,
    love the game,just can´t wait.
    ;D

  • t3h_sauce

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 12:37 pm PT

    Will Wright for president.

  • Mooshu92887

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 12:34 pm PT

    Well deserved, if you ask me.

  • redfox66

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 12:28 pm PT

    This is alot like being in the fellowship of the ring....except you don't have to walk as far.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 12:15 pm PT

    Will Wright FTW!

  • the_monkey_god

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 12:09 pm PT

    You go Will. Finnaly a main stream award that doesnt go to some dumb @#%!

  • PTK7

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 11:17 am PT

    congrats Will! for making amazing games

  • Poshkidney

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 11:13 am PT

    they are much more creddited than an oscar since the oscars have allways bee hosted by morons so he should take it has an honor.

  • soroush7

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 10:48 am PT

    The Sims series is one of the best franchises out there. Good work Will.

  • karuba

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 10:47 am PT

    Congrats Mr. Wright

  • LordN3on

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 10:17 am PT

    Go Will and congrats!

  • jdr589

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 10:08 am PT

    SPORE!!!!!!!!

  • tclvis

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:54 am PT

    An honor well deserved. Congratulations, Mr. Wright, and thank you.

  • Neo1O1

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:53 am PT

    I'm a mild fan of the Sims, so to me what matters most is the fact that a game maker received the honor.

  • CapinKirk

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:50 am PT

    I am glad to see the gaming industry finally recognized for the great work they do.
    And although Will received the award, it's a win for all game developers.

  • 0678

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:49 am PT

    WAY TO GO WILL!

  • kalkhaja

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:44 am PT

    Agreed, he has done so much for the gaming industry. Well done.

  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:42 am PT

    He deserves it!

  • gaggle64

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:35 am PT

    Fantastic stuff. I would imagine one for Miyamoto can't be far off either.

  • robbie_basic

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:26 am PT

    Will definitely deserves this. Grats!

  • dbruce01

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:08 am PT

    Well done Will u deserve it for a great body of work and kudos for BAFTA for recognizing the talent , intelligence and hardwork it takes to make great games . Hollywood better step up and recognise .

  • froidnite

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 8:49 am PT

    Finally game industry getting the recognition that it very rightly deserves.
    And Congrats Will....

  • Gamer_152

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 8:48 am PT

    Will Wright is one of my absolute video game idols, I could go on forever about all the stuff he does. This is a step forward for the industry and a very well deserved award.

  • pandaramaster

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 8:28 am PT

    Will this create scandal in the entertainment industry, specifically between film, television and indeed games? The snobs at film and television will scoff at this, saying games are mere mediocrity compared to "Eastenders".

    But eh, well done to the video game industry for getting this accolade. And to Will Wright who is a well respected game designer throughout the industry

  • Strike_Zer0

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 8:23 am PT

    Awesome, he deserves it.

  • N8A

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 8:19 am PT

    come on and release spore already!!

  • slapme7times

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 8:04 am PT

    spore is going to be incredible... omg i can't wait.

  • deshields538

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 7:49 am PT

    Congrats Will . Never liked The Sims though .

  • Expo_Smacko

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 7:29 am PT

    Awesome! Congrats Will!

  • NA3D

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 7:24 am PT

    Donut, what are you talking about?

  • DonutTrooper

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 7:15 am PT

    Ok, who's up for lobbying him into letting Manhunt get released? I am.

  • darthzew

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 7:07 am PT

    Congrats, Will!

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