You know, video games have come a long way since Pac-Man. It’s not all WAKAWAKA, you know what I’m saying, kids? Games are big and beautiful and they have stories to tell. Some of those stories are so good, they should maybe even win an award! They could grab a Game Award from Geoff Keighley’s palms but that doesn’t fee posh enough.
No, some video games deserve a Hugo Award, only one the most prestigious trophies that could be thrown at a work of science-fiction or fantasy. Fortunately, The Hugo Awards have agreed with that sentiment! Just… well, they aren’t exactly making an institution out of it.
You’ve definitely heard of The Hugo Awards and if you haven’t, your favourite sci-fi novel was probably nominated for it. It’s a big deal in the world of literature so the announcement that for the first time they’ll be honouring a game is a pretty big deal. To be eligible for the 2021 award, a work has to meet a certain requirement. For the gaming section, anything nominated must be “a game or substantial modification of a game first released to the public on a major gaming platform in the previous calendar year in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, or related subjects.”
“Since early 2020, many of us have spent more time gaming than we ever expected. This award will offer fans an opportunity to celebrate the games that have been meaningful, joyful, and exceptional over this past year,” said Colette Fozard, co-chair of DisCon 3, the 79th World Science Fiction Convention.
According to Kevin Standlee from the Hugo Awards Marketing Committee, the chances of video games being honoured is more than just a once-off deal. If this particular category gets more interest, members can vote to make it a permanent fixture in the Hugo Awards. And that’s the key right there: Membership.
Some members are making a concerted effort to have video games more widely recognised, and thanks to the democratic nature of the Hugo Awards voting process, the rest of the organisation can also gauge the interest that this award generates and vote to have it join the rest of the awards pack. For more on that and the open nature of how the Hugo Awards works, click here for details.
Last Updated: November 26, 2020
Original Heretic
November 25, 2020 at 15:11
I disagree with them even adding this in the first place.
Hugo Awards are for books. Same as the Nebula Awards.
If they include games, then they should also include movies.
MaSeKind
November 25, 2020 at 15:15
Yeah it’s silly. And I’m not sure they realise that “science fiction, fantasy, or related subjects” almost describes every game ever released. Hopefully they actually choose games with good stories and not just the games everyone knows about, like Fortnite
Original Heretic
November 25, 2020 at 16:51
Oh trust me, the Hugo’s will DEFINITELY only consider story driven games.
If you look at the list of winners, it’s a bunch of absolutely epic Sci-Fi tales.
Kevin Standlee
November 26, 2020 at 05:10
It’s not as though the Hugo Awards are picked by some secret panel of judges. Any of the thousands of members of the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) can nominate for the Hugo Awards. The works that receive sufficient nominations go onto a final ballot voted upon by the members of the current year’s Worldcon. If you want to nominate, you can join the current Worldcon. You don’t have to attend the convention; voting happens in advance of the convention.
Mandalorian Jim
November 25, 2020 at 20:27
I have to agree with you, but I also think what’s been happening with the Hugos is that they’ve lost their prestige and meaning. It used to mean something if your scifi book received one, and in recent years it’s become a political and partisan mess. This seems like a desperate attempt by the organisers to not only bring fresh blood in but also fresh eyes. Sadly, I think unless they fix what’s structurally wrong with the Hugos nothing will change…
It’s basically having the same problem as the Oscars now, normal people barely have an interest, and the general consensus is that it’s just a bunch of rich people circle jerking, rather than an actual award that highlights excellence in sci fi writing (or in the case of the Oscars, filmmaking).
Original Heretic
November 25, 2020 at 20:27
Pretty much described most awards shows these days.
There’s always an agenda.
I mean, a couple years back when Macklemore got the Grammy for Thrift Shop (or whatever it’s called, that song rocks!), there was an actual debate among the rap judges as to whether it could truly be considered a rap song… because it was so popular.
Kevin Standlee
November 26, 2020 at 05:10
The Hugo Awards have included categories for dramatic presentations (principally television shows and movies, but the eligibility is broader than that) since 1958. The 2020 Hugo Awards were presented in 17 different categories.
MaSeKind
November 25, 2020 at 15:11
Lol, do you think they know that games already have a lot of awards ceremonies? You’d think in a year that most people stayed at home a lot more, they would have read more books as well.
Wonder if the Oscars are also going to add games, seeing as they don’t have movies to vote for either.
Mandalorian Jim
November 25, 2020 at 20:27
And the Oscar for best supporting character SLASH voice actor SLASH actor SLASH MALE MODEL goes to…. https://media4.giphy.com/media/qJsJI0MhazjGw/giphy-downsized-medium.gif