Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Programs

In 2002, the AIAS created the D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit, a high-level interactive entertainment conference that brings together the top video game designers and developers from around the world and business leaders from all major publishers to discuss the state of the industry, its trends and the future. The Summit includes sessions led by the most creative minds in the video game industry as well as leaders from related entertainment fields. Sessions are designed to address the challenges of game creation and inspire new ways of making games.

The D.I.C.E. Summit also includes a golf tournament, poker tournament, go-kart tournament, the Into the Pixel™ gallery and silent auction, Indie Game Challenge and the home of the Interactive Achievement Awards. The D.I.C.E. Summit took place Feb. 9-11, 2011 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.

The Interactive Achievement Awards recognizes the best video games, computer games, mobile entertainment as well as individual and team craft achievement. Award winners are determined by a vote of qualified AIAS members. Each year the AIAS inducts and/or presents an industry icon into all or some of the Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement and Pioneer Award.

Comedian, actor and video game enthusiast, Jay Mohr, hosted the Interactive Achievement Awards which was held on February 10 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas and included a post-awards party.

Into the Pixel is an exploration and celebration of the art of video games. The exhibit enables published game artists to be reviewed and recognized by the public and by their peers. Into The Pixel features a representative sampling of video game art, selected by a panel of jurors from a field of submissions. Created in 2004, Into the Pixel has expanded beyond its “home” at the D.I.C.E. Summit and E3 to include the Toronto International Film Expo, FMX conference in Stuttgart, AnimFX in New Zealand and South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

The AIAS Foundation’s mission is to encourage the emerging talent in the video game industry through its scholarship programs in honor of two individuals who have contributed greatly to this medium, Randy Pausch and Mark Beaumont.

Students from the University of Southern California’s game design program play-through and then critically examine a game title before a panel of 20-30 game makers. It is a program that allows the academy a chance to see more of today’s best games, allows the students to demonstrate their understanding of game design and play mechanics, and fosters some terrific conversations and “dialogue” between game makers about contemporary titles.