The British Academy Video Game Awards will award Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson with its "Special Award" at this year's ceremony, it said today.
The annual BAVGA (ok, so it doesn't have as nice a ring to is as BAFTA) ceremony—presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts—doles out awards to deserving games and game makers every year. The Special Award is awarded to Persson for his creativity and the outstandingly successful Minecraft.
It's no surprise that Persson was chosen amongst the crowd of talented developers in the video game industry. After passing 20 million users and playing host to some of the most creative, robust worlds designed by said players, Minecraft continues to receive attention. Cute LEGO figures and a multiplayer-outfitted game on the 360 platform are just among the more notable ones.
Joining the ranks of previous Special Award winners that include cinematographers, TV producers, actors and others, Notch says he is humbled to accept the award on March 16 during the ceremony held in London:
I've always considered the BAFTA Awards to be one of the most prestigious awards one can receive, and I was very happy when it expanded to cover videogames in 1998. When I first heard that I would receive a BAFTA Special Award, I was blown away and deeply humbled. Going to London to accept this award is going to be a very positive and interesting experience that I'm very much looking forward to.
Minecraft Mastermind Markus Persson to Receive BAFTA Special Award [BAFTA]