The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the interactive arts, is pleased to announce the immediate appointment of interim president, Mike Fischer, by the AIAS Board of Directors. Fischer replaces Martin Rae, who led the organization for six years and stepped down in October.
As the AIAS president, Fischer has been tasked in taking the helm of the professional organization that promotes and advances the worldwide interactive entertainment community of more than 35,000 video games industry professionals. He will oversee the upcoming 2017 D.I.C.E. Summit and the 20th D.I.C.E. Awards, which will take place February 21-23 at The Delano Las Vegas in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Fischer has held numerous international executive positions, spanning the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Currently Fischer serves on the board of video game start-up Matcherino, an eSports crowdfunding company and chairman of CloudGate, a VR development studio. Most recently he held management positions as the Head of Publishing at Epic Games, VP of Digital Video and Music at Amazon Japan, CEO and President of Square Enix America, and Head of US Marketing for Xbox. Fischer’s first game industry job was a Product Manager at Sega in Tokyo.
“The video games industry has given me so much throughout my career over the past two decades, and this opportunity felt the perfect fit in providing me a chance to give back to my industry peers, inspirational creators and the gamers of today and tomorrow,” said Mike Fischer, president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. “The Academy’s mission to celebrate, promote and advance the worldwide interactive entertainment community resonates strongly with me. I’m looking forward to working with the team to put together a fantastic 2017 D.I.C.E. conference and celebrating its milestone 20th Awards show.”
“On behalf of the AIAS Board of Directors, I’m pleased to welcome Mike as the new Academy president,” said Min Kim, chairman, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and founder at Bonfire Studios. “After a careful selection process, the Board felt that Mike’s passion for the industry and his international experience will greatly benefit in helping grow our global reach and influence. We are fortunate to have an industry veteran like him lead the Academy.”