The Strong in Rochester, N.Y., also known as the National Museum of Play, has established the World Video Game Hall of Fame and is seeking online nominations for the inaugural class, through March 31, 2015.
A press release from The Strong explained that the World Video Game Hall of Fame “will recognize individual electronic games of all types — arcade, console, computer, handheld and mobile — that have enjoyed popularity for a sustained period and have exerted influence on the video game industry or on popular culture and society in general.”
As a composer who has created music for pinball games, PC games, Xbox games, casino games and online games, I’m excited about this new hall of fame and what it represents. It’s gratifying to know that this respected museum will recognize electronic games as being culturally significant and meaningful, for the long haul.
The World Video Game Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for electronic games that meet the following criteria:
• ICON-STATUS: “The game is widely recognized and remembered.”
• LONGEVITY: “The game is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over time.”
• GEOGRAPHICAL REACH: “The game meets the above criteria across international boundaries.”
• INFLUENCE: “The game has exerted significance on the design and development of other games, on other forms of entertainment, or on popular culture and society in general. A game may be included on the basis of the last criterion without necessarily having met all of the first three.”
It’s interesting to note that The Strong is home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, in addition to being the home of the International Center for the History of Electronic Games.
Just as a point of reference, the National Toy Hall of Fame currently includes everything from alphabet blocks and baby dolls to Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, LEGOS, Mr. Potato Head, Atari 2600 Game System, Nintendo Game Boy and Rubik’s Cube. These toys are well-known and loved by people of many generations.
Anyone can nominate a game for the World Video Game Hall of Fame at
http://www.worldvideogamehalloffame.org/nominate
According to The Strong’s press release, “Finalists will be determined by an internal advisory committee and inductees to the hall will be made on the advice of an international selection committee made up of journalists, scholars and other individuals familiar with the history of video games and their role in society.”
In other words, this isn’t entirely a “people’s choice” award. But people who are passionate about electronic games can be an important part of the process to select games worthy of induction into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
To learn more about the World Video Game Hall of Fame, visit
http://www.worldvideogamehalloffame.org.
Duane Decker Music 