Todd Howard to be inducted into AIAS Hall of Fame

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced the next inductee for its Hall of Fame: Bethesda Game Studios executive producer and game director Todd Howard. The creative force behind The Elder Scrolls and recent Fallout games will be the Academy's 22nd Hall of Fame recipient when he gets the award on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at the Mandalay Convention Center in Las Vegas during the 20th D.I.C.E. Awards.

"The Academy is thrilled to be honoring Todd Howard as our next Hall of Fame recipient during our 20th D.I.C.E. Awards celebration," said Mike Fischer, president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, who recently replaced Martin Rae. "I know that many of us in the industry have spent countless hours enthralled in the vast, open worlds that Todd has created. He's made us all reconsider the player-game relationship and extended the storytelling possibilities of our medium. We look forward to honoring Todd and celebrating his achievements and contributions to the video games industry."

Pete Hines, Bethesda's long-time public relations boss, added, "Todd's impact on his studio, our company, and the gaming industry as a whole has been truly remarkable. When you look at the very best game developers of all time -- the 21 members of the AIAS Hall of Fame -- I think Todd deserves to have his name right alongside of them as the best of the best."

Howard, whose career began at Bethesda Softworks in 1994, earlier this year was also given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the GDC Awards. Under his stewardship, many of Bethesda's games have won a variety of accolades, including Game of the Year. AIAS said that it only bestows Hall of Fame honors to those individuals who "demonstrate the highest level of creativity and innovation, resulting in significant product influence on a scale that expands the scope of the industry." A few of these people include Hideo Kojima (2016), Leslie Benzies (2014), Dan and Sam Houser (2014), Tim Sweeney (2012), Dr. Greg Zeschuk (2011), and Dr. Ray Muzyka (2011).

Insomniac founder and AIAS vice chairman Ted Price commented, "Todd is revered by legions of fans not just for his creative leadership over the years but for his humility and humor. Despite the fact that he's helmed several of the most successful franchises in the history of our industry, he consistently defers praise to others and is the quintessential team player. Yet it's Todd's vision and strong direction that has brought Tamriel and the Commonwealth to life for millions around the world. I'm in awe of his accomplishments and am proud to call him a friend. I can't think of anyone who deserves this honor more than he does."

We spoke to Howard earlier in the year about his Lifetime Achievement Award, mobile development, VR and much more. You can read that interview here.