The International Video Games Hall of Fame inducts its first class in August. Located in Ottumwa, Iowa, known for its ties to the gaming's early arcade days, the Hall will enshrine more twice as many high score champions as developers.
Perhaps that's appropriate. To be taken seriously, this museum must honor real people, as opposed to characters like Mario or Master Chief. And while it pays appropriate tribute to luminaries who may not make the ceremonies, like Shigeru Miyamoto, as a business and a fledgling attraction it must have people on stage.
This is the full list of the first class to be honored by the IVGHOF. I've broken it down by contribution:
As Players
Eric Akeson, Turbo Pac-Man Champion
Rob Barrett, Tutankham Champion
Brian Cady, Tempest Champion
Paul Dean, Spy Hunter Champion
Ben Falls, Moon Patrol Champion
Dennis "Thresh" Fong, Legendary PC Gaming Champion
Ben Gold, Legendary Arcade Champion
Ike Hall, Past Donkey Kong World Champion
Ken House, Dig Dug Champion
Andrew Laidlaw, Galaga Champion
Chris Mansfield, Kicker Champion
John McAllister, Asteroids Deluxe Champion
Billy Mitchell, Legendary Arcade Champion
Perry Rodgers, Mario Brothers Champion
Todd Rogers, Legendary Arcade Champion
Scott Safran, Asteroids Champion
Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel, Legendary PC Gaming Champion
Steve Wiebe, Donkey Kong, Jr. Champion
Phil Younger, Berzerk ChampionAs Pioneers
Ralph Baer, Historic Industry Pioneer
Nolan Bushnell, Historic Industry Pioneer
Shigeru Miyamoto, Creator of Donkey Kong
Masaya Nakamura, NAMCO Founder
Steve Ritchie, Legendary Game DesignerAs Developers
Kevin Bachus, Xbox Design Team
Otto Berkes, Xbox Design Team
Seamus Blackley, Xbox Design Team
Ted Hase, Xbox Design TeamGames
Pac-Man
The induction ceremonies are scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7
Inductees [International Video Games Hall of Fame]