International Video Game Hall of Fame explained

International Video Game Hall of Fame
Coordinates:41.0511°N -92.409°W
Location:Ottumwa, Iowa

The International Video Game Hall of Fame (IVGHoF) is a planned museum to be operated in Ottumwa, Iowa, United States.

Ottumwa considers itself as the "Video Game Capital of the World" as the city was home to the Twin Galaxies arcade which became the epicenter for numerous competitions in arcade games. The museum's organization is operated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit by Ottumwa business leaders and other residents, designed to recognize "the champions, industries, and professionals" of the video game industry.[1] While the museum has not been constructed, the IVGHoF continues to induct new members into its Hall of Fame.

History

The idea of the museum was conceived around 2009. The city laid claim that they were the Video Game Capital of the World in 1982, following the recognition that Twin Galaxies had received for being the authoritative source for high scores in arcade games, a point that had not been challenged since. Around 2009, community leaders started speculating on the possibility of a museum, recognizing that previous efforts to establish a United States video game museum had all failed and that this was potentially a way to capitalize on the city's claim to fame. Leaders recognized that since 1982, the video game industry had significantly changed, with arcade games having waned in favor of consoles and computers, but felt they could still be a proper home to this museum due to the town's history as Cooperstown, New York serves for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.[2] The city leaders also saw the opportunity to help the financially struggling city to bring in more revenues from tourism to the primarily farming community.

The city's council and chamber of commerce authorized a steering committee to organize and plan out the museum. The museum's organizers aimed to collect donations to build a modern facility, estimated to cost between $30 million and $50 million, with interactive displays to celebrate its inductees, and to acquire at least one working version of each of the estimated 100,000 coin-operated and home video game systems that have been produced to date.[3] Their initial goal was to start construction within five years from its onset.[4]

The museum inducted its first class during its multiday "Big Bang 2010" event on August 7, 2010. Inducted into the Hall of Fame during this initial ceremony included Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, Namco's Masaya Nakamura, home video game system pioneers Ralph H. Baer and Nolan Bushnell, game designer Steve Ritchie, members of the original Xbox design team including Seamus Blackley, and several arcade game high-score champions including Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell.[5] The event also honored Pac-Man on the 30th anniversary of the arcade game's release through induction into the Hall of Fame.[6] The initial events drew in at least 3,500 visitors to the town.[7] In subsequent years, due to low donations, the IVGHoF has scaled back these events, still holding ceremonies for honoring inductees, as to be able to better met their target goals.[8]

In 2016, the IVGHoF and the town established the "Video Game Walk of Fame" along the town's main street, believed to be the first of its kind. While the IVGHoF itself focuses more on the people and organizations of the video game industry, the Video Game Walk of Fame was designed to commemorate key video games. In its inaugural year, the IVGHoF selected Pac-Man for the first "star" on this, and put into display on August 7, 2016, alongside the events to induct new members into the Hall of Fame.[9]

Inductees

The IVGHoF selects inductees from both the industry and from players, as well as select video games. Selections are made first through an open nomination process, public input to narrow down the electees, and then voting among a set of video game journalists, executives, and gamers for final inductees.[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Developers and industry leaders

Year NameDescription
2010Kevin BachusMember of the Xbox design team
2010Ralph H. Baer"Father of Video Games", inventor of the first home video game console
2010Otto BerkesMember of the Xbox design team
2010Seamus BlackleyMember of the Xbox design team
2010Nolan BushnellFounder of Atari
2021John CarmackCo-founder of id Software
2020Mark CernyAmerican video game designer, programmer, producer and entertainment executive
2019Brian ColinDeveloper of Rampage and Arch Rivals
2017Warren DavisDeveloper of Q*bert
2019Richard Garriott"Lord British", and developer of the Ultima series
2010Ted HaseMember of the Xbox design team
2016Satoru IwataFormer president of Nintendo
2015Eugene JarvisDeveloper of Defender and
2022Tom KalinskeFormer president and CEO of Sega of America
2016Hideo KojimaDeveloper of the Metal Gear series
2022Sid MeierProgrammer, designer, and producer of Civilization
2010Shigeru MiyamotoDeveloper of Donkey Kong
2010Masaya NakamuraFounder of Namco
2017Howard PhillipsSpokesperson for Nintendo of America
2010Steve RitchiePinball game designer
2019Bonnie RossHead of 343 Industries, the studio managing the Halo franchise
2015Gary SternPresident of Stern Electronics and Stern Pinball
2021Tommy TallaricoVideo game composer and founder of Tommy Tallarico Studios
2020Will WrightOriginal designer for The Sims

Competitive gamers

Year NameDescription
2015 Thor Aackerland Competitive Gamer
2010 Eric Akeson Competitive Gamer
2017 Chris Ayra 90's eSports Competitor
2015 Tim Balderramos Competitive Gamer
2010 Rob Barrett Competitive Gamer
2021 Phil Britt Golden Age Gamer
2010 Competitive Gamer
2022 Jack Gale Golden Age Gamer
2015 Eric Ginner Competitive Gamer
2015 Competitive Gamer
2010 Ike Hall Competitive Gamer
2015 Steve Harris Competitive Gamer
2019 1990's Gamer
2019 Donald Hayes 2000's Gamer
2019 Pete Hahn 2000's Gamer
2016 Isaiah "TriForce" Johnson 2000's eSports Competitor
2015 Josh Jones Competitive Gamer
2017 Michael Klug Golden Age Gamer
2010 Andrew Laidlaw Competitive Gamer
2010 John McAllister Competitive Gamer
2016 Lonnie McDonald Competitive Gamer
2015 Tim McVey Competitive Gamer
2021 Robin Mihara 1990's Gamer
2010 Competitive Gamer
2020 Donn Nauert Golden Age Gamer
2019 David Palmer Golden Age Gamer
2019 Jeff Peters Golden Age Gamer
2010 Perry Rodgers Competitive Gamer
2010 Competitive Gamer
2010 Competitive Gamer
2020 Tomo Ohira 90's Gamer
2016 Chris Tang 90's eSports Competitor
2020 2000's Gamer
2021 2000's Gamer
2010 Competitive Gamer
2022 Robert Whiteman 1990's Gamer
2010 Competitive Gamer
2022 2000's Gamer
2010 Phil Younger Competitive Gamer

Games

Year NameDescription
2019 Assassin's Creed series 2000's Era Game
2022 Golden Age Game
2019 Computer Space Golden Age Game
2015 Defender Legendary Arcade Game
2019 Doom 90's Era Game
2017 Donkey Kong Golden Arcade Game
2019 Fortnite 2000's Era Game
2019 Galaga Golden Age Game
2017 Halo 2000's Era Game
2021 Golden Age Game
2022 League of Legends 2000's Era Game
2016 90's Era Game
2017 Modern Age Game
2016 Minecraft Current Era Game
2021 1990's Era Game
2020 Warcraft 90's Era Game
2019 Ms. Pac-Man Golden Age Game
2010 Pac-Man Legendary Arcade Game
2017 Sonic the Hedgehog 90's Era Game
2020 Pong Golden Age Game
2020 Final Fantasy franchise 90's Era Game
2020 Half-Life 2 2000's Era Game
2020 Guitar Hero 2000's Era Game
2022 1990's Era Game
2019 Street Fighter series 90's Era Game
2019 Super Mario 64 90's Era Game
2016 Super Mario Bros. Golden Age Game
2019 Super Smash Bros. Melee 2000's Era Game
2019 Tetris Golden Age Game
2021 Wii Sports 2000's Era Game
2016 World of Warcraft 2000's Era Game

Community Action Award

Year NameDescription
2016 Patrick O'Malley Community Action Award
2017 Fundraising organization
2019 Doc Mack Founder of Galloping Ghost, arcade game collection
2019 Video Game Palooza Video game STEM-based charity
2020 Keisha Howard Founder of Sugar Gamers

Walter Day Lifetime Achievement Award

Year NameDescription
2015 David Bishop Programmer and vice-president of Namco America
2017 Programmer and co-founder of Activision
2019 President of Nintendo of America
2022 Known for his work in designing the Fairchild Channel F and the ROM cartridge
2020 Co-founder of the video game developer Valve
2021 Gary Stern Co-founder, chairman and owner of Stern Electronics
2016 Co-founder of Apple Inc.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: International Video Game Hall of Fame - About . January 31, 2017 . International Video Game Hall of Fame . 30 December 2015 . February 7, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170207131256/http://www.ivghof.info/about/ . live .
  2. Web site: A Claim to Fame, in the Dodge City of Video Games . Owen . Good . April 6, 2009 . January 31, 2017 . . August 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160824014908/http://kotaku.com/5196471/a-claim-to-fame-in-the-dodge-city-of-video-games . live .
  3. Web site: Video Game Hall of Fame Inducting Pac-Man and pals . Mike . Snider . August 4, 2010 . January 31, 2017 . . January 5, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160105041156/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2010-08-05-gamearchive05_ST_N.htm . live .
  4. Web site: City Resorts to Pac-Man for a Reboot . Danny . Yadron . August 7, 2010 . January 31, 2017 . . November 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201118002809/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703988304575413612071687980 . live .
  5. Web site: The Incoming Class of the International Video Games Hall of Fame . Owen . Good . July 17, 2010 . January 31, 2017 . . February 18, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170218200415/http://kotaku.com/5589762/the-incoming-class-of-the-international-video-games-hall-of-fame . live .
  6. Web site: Iowa's Town Claim to Gaming Fame Gets Cornier . Winda . Benedetti . August 5, 2010 . January 31, 2017 . . February 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170202080326/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38565057/ns/technology_and_science-games/t/iowa-towns-claim-gaming-fame-gets-cornier/#.WJEbxV_57IU . dead .
  7. Web site: Thousands Attend Iowa Hall of Fame Launch . Owen . Good . August 13, 2010 . January 31, 2017 . . August 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160824041735/http://kotaku.com/5337062/thousands-attend-iowa-hall-of-fame-launch . live .
  8. Web site: Video Game Hall of Fame Cancels This Year's Gala Weekend . Owen . Good . May 18, 2011 . January 31, 2017 . . August 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160824062356/http://kotaku.com/5803316/video-game-hall-of-fame-cancels-this-years-gala-weekend . live .
  9. Web site: World Video Game Walk of Fame opens in Ottumwa . Mark . Newmann . August 7, 2016 . January 31, 2017 . . September 7, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907183850/https://www.ottumwacourier.com/news/world-video-game-walk-of-fame-opens-in-ottumwa/article_facfdcd0-5ccf-11e6-850d-af43a1477533.html . live .
  10. Web site: Class of 2010 . 31 December 2015 . International Video Game Hall of Fame . February 1, 2017 . February 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170201083322/http://www.ivghof.info/classes-of-inductees/class-of-2010/ . live .
  11. Web site: Class of 2015 . 31 December 2015 . International Video Game Hall of Fame . February 1, 2017 . February 7, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170207090401/http://www.ivghof.info/classes-of-inductees/class-of-2015/ . live .
  12. Web site: Class of 2016 . 8 February 2016 . International Video Game Hall of Fame . February 1, 2017 . February 7, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170207010530/http://www.ivghof.info/classes-of-inductees/class-of-2016/ . live .
  13. Web site: Class of 2017 . 2 August 2019 . International Video Game Hall of Fame . October 6, 2019 .
  14. Web site: IVGHOF Class of 2019 Inductees . August 2019 . International Video Game Hall of Fame . October 6, 2019 . October 6, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191006144715/http://www.ivghof.info/uncategorized/ivghof-class-of-2019-inductees/ . live .
  15. Web site: Class of 2020 . 30 March 2021 . International Video Game Hall of Fame . April 17, 2021 . April 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210417033449/http://www.ivghof.info/class-of-2020/ . live .