On Wednesday, The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) announced that Sid Meier, the creator of classic games like Civilization I and II, Gettysburg, and Alpha Centauri, will be awarded this year's Hall of Fame Award.

　　Meier will receive his award at the annual Interactive Achievement Awards on May 13, the first night of E3 in Los Angeles.

　　"I am honored to be selected as the recipient of this year's Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame award," said Meier, Firaxis Games' chairman and director of creative development. "The AIAS awards serve as confirmation of how far we've come as an industry. They encourage us to challenge ourselves to create new software that is both entertaining and inspiring."

　　"Sid Meier's name has become synonymous with excellence in computer-game design. He has been instrumental in leading and nurturing the industry by virtue of his unparalleled creative vision and the groundbreaking games he has developed," said Jim Charne, president and executive director of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. "The Academy is proud to recognize Mr. Meier for his long-term contributions to the industry and for consistently raising the standard for computer game design, subsequently creating some of the most innovative and successful titles of all time."

　　Recipients of the Hall of Fame Award are chosen by the Board of Directors of the Academy to honor those individuals who have pioneered a new genre, influenced other designers and products, and demonstrated the highest level of creativity and innovation.

　　The last recipient of the award for 1998 was Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto.