Capcom has released a statement calling out the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences for forcing companies to pay membership fees in order to be eligible for recognition in the Interactive Achievement Awards, the 10th of which is being held at this year's D.I.C.E. summit. The awards are supposed to recognize the products, people, and dev teams that create groundbreaking, industry shaping content, but Capcom has been flat out told that since they have not paid to join, games like Okami and Dead Rising are not up for consideration.

"Capcom Entertainment was contacted by the AIAS and told that the game would still not be eligible for any awards unless the company joined the organisation. Our company was told, in essence, "Pay to play," a sentiment echoed in the quote from the AIAS representative."

So "the most credible, respected and recognized awards for interactive entertainment software" only picks winners from paying members. Not only that, but products are nominated by developers and publishers who pay a fee to enter the competition. I'm sure this is a common practice among organizations like the AIAS, but it does lessen the overall impact of the awards in my eyes. Michael Fahey

Capcom slams 'pay to play' AIAS awards [GamesIndustry.biz]

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