Video games have long surpassed the societal assumption as a lesser form of media, becoming an important method of story-telling, political commentary, and even a lens to society. While not all games strive to hit these marks, it is undeniable that gaming has massively evolved since the days of Pong.
The Hugo Awards, a ceremony known for acknowledging impressive written works such as books, comics, and magazines, has decided to adopt a Best Video Game Award for its 2021 accolades. This marks the first time the Hugo Awards will include a category for Best Video Game, a category that will include some of the best games released in 2020.
This announcement was revealed via the DisCon III Twitter account. DiscCon III is the host of WorldCon, where the Hugo Awards will take place. According to the rules set by the World Science Fiction Committee, the Hugo Awards are allowed to have a special one-time award each year. In this case, the Best Video Game Award is not likely to be a recurring accolade for the proceeding years. One has to wonder what the parameters for Best Video Game will be, though considering the Hugo Awards focus on writing, it will likely be a game heralded for its storytelling and writing.
This announcement comes in conjunction with the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. With many people stuck at home, gaming has become as prevalent as ever with games like the incredibly successful Animal Crossing: New Horizons taking over the internet as the world looking for some semblance of normalcy. This award will celebrate the games that offered comfort and stability during times where those concepts were not so easy to come by.
COVID-19 has vastly impacted gaming in a multitude of ways including delays, booming sales, and even games like Assassin's Creed: Valhalla directly referencing the disease itself. It is hard to say exactly how much this pandemic will impact gaming further, but the mark it has already left is palpable.
While this award is only temporary so far, the Hugo Study Committee has been considering making it a mainstay as gaming's cultural influence is as important as ever. And while December 10th's upcoming Game Awards have been an important ceremony for gaming, it is certainly interesting to see an outlet not known for gaming go out of their way to acknowledge the interactive medium that has taken over the world.
The 79th WorldCon will take place from August 25 to August 29 2020 in Washington, DC.