AIAS’ full statement on why Capcom can’t win

As everybody probably knows by now, the recent AIAS awards received flak from Capcom for failing to acknowledge truly notable games and members of the industry, simply because they aren’t members the AIAS and have therefore not paid the requisite membership fees that the non-profit organization requires.

AIAS released a statement of their own to counter Capcom’s, saying that they are still sticking by their members-only policy, and that nothing that Capcom will say can change that. Since then, Capcom has made no comment on the issue.

However, for those who are curious about what AIAS’ exact response was, Gamers Reports has the full version. Interesting points in the statement would be the clarification that “to receive an award, the publisher must be an AIAS member.” Another point is that their membership rates begin “at US$ 1,000 and the fee structure has not increased in eight years,” while they add that “the requirement for membership is not dissimilar from other industry associations.”

Read the full statement after the Jump!

As everybody probably knows by now, the recent AIAS awards received flak from Capcom for failing to acknowledge truly notable games and members of the industry, simply because they aren’t members the AIAS and have therefore not paid the requisite membership fees that the non-profit organization requires.

AIAS released a statement of their own to counter Capcom’s, saying that they are still sticking by their members-only policy, and that nothing that Capcom will say can change that. Since then, Capcom has made no comment on the issue.

However, for those who are curious about what AIAS’ exact response was, Gamers Reports has the full version. Interesting points in the statement would be the clarification that “to receive an award, the publisher must be an AIAS member.” Another point is that their membership rates begin “at US$ 1,000 and the fee structure has not increased in eight years,” while they add that “the requirement for membership is not dissimilar from other industry associations.”

The statement, in its entirety, is as follows:

Interactive Achievement Award Nomination Statement

Joseph Olin, president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

The Academy’s peer panels and panelists are allowed and encouraged to consider any game released during the appropriate calendar year: it need not be formally submitted by a publisher to be reviewed, discussed and voted upon. The Interactive Achievement Award finalists are determined by nearly 400 of the most experienced game makers in the industry. Of the 45 titles that were finalists last year, seven were write-ins from the Peer Panels. This year, eight Interactive Achievement Award finalists are write-ins.

To receive an award, the publisher must be an AIAS member. Non-member publishers, whose titles are written-in, are invited to join the Academy. If the publisher accepts the invitation to join the organization, their title remains on the final ballot and the winner is then determined by a vote of Academy members.

In addition to the Interactive Achievement Awards for games, the AIAS honors outstanding contributions by individuals with the new Lifetime Achievement Award and celebrates creative masters through its Hall of Fame.

A majority of publishers and developers support the AIAS’s mission to promote and advance the worldwide interactive entertainment community and recognize outstanding achievements in the interactive arts and sciences. Many of these companies participate in forming the IAA rules and guidelines by sitting on the non-profit organizationÂ’s board of directors. These leading publishers know that an awards show worthy of the interactive entertainment industry is important and requires considerable management, planning and ultimately, funding. Most publishers and developers have been aware of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences’ (AIAS) policies for several years and have been encouraged to join the Academy to help celebrate great games and their creators.

Regarding the AIAS and its membership fees, the Academy’s rules designate its members as a primary submitting entity for award consideration. Corporate membership begins at $1,000 and the fee structure has not increased in eight years. The requirement for membership is not dissimilar from other industry associations.