Writers Guild to recognize videogame writers

The Writers Guild of America is adding a videogame writing accolade to their annual Writers Guild Awards.

As part of the scribes’ union’s New Media Caucus initiative, which seeks to expand members’ involvement in non-traditional media, the award is meant to “recognize the essential role of writers behind the creative, cultural, and commercial success of the videogame industries.”

“Videogames are written and many are written very well. By recognizing the skill and craft of videogame writing, the Writers Guilds intend to raise the profile of these writers so that they can get WGA contracts and benefits for this work,” said WGA West president Patric Verrone. “We aim, we shoot, we score.”

It is hoped the award will raise the status of videogame writers, and help create standards for game writing.

“This is the first time game writers have been honored by their peers in the writing community, and it’s an important step toward the WGA’s goal of covering everything that moves on a screen,” said the New Media Caucus’ Micah Wright, a writer on THQ’s upcoming Destroy All Humans: Big Willy Unleashed.

The award will be presented for the first time at the Los Angeles ceremony of the Writers Guild Awards on February 9, 2008.

Via gamesindustry.biz.