BioWare Wins the IGDA Award for Community Contribution
Posted Thursday, March 4, 2004 - 20:11 CET by chevalier

BioWare joint CEOs, Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka have been chosen for the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Award for Community Contribution. Here's a clip:

The IGDA Award for Community Contribution is presented to a developer who has made significant efforts in building community and advancing the art form of interactive entertainment. This year's award will be given to BioWare's joint CEOs, Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, whose contributions have been felt both within and outside the gaming industry.

Muzyka and Zeschuk serve on a number of boards and committees year after year -- Muzyka acting as founding co-chair on the IGDA Business Committee, and Zeschuk acting as an IGDA board member -- exchanging ideas and knowledge with other gaming veterans as well as those new to the space. The two CEOs also make the time to speak regularly at GDC and other industry events.

Demonstrating their community spirit outside of the computer and video game world, the pair also show their philanthropic support in the areas of advanced education and children's health and welfare. BioWare regularly contributes to local children's health charities such as the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, and the company has also established the BioWare Kids Fund, dedicated to raising money to aid children's mental health efforts in the Edmonton, Alberta area. BioWare has also partnered with the University of Alberta on a number of advanced education programs.

BioWare has been recognized as one of Canada 's top 100 employers, reflecting Muzyka and Zeschuk's commitment to creating a quality company that can deliver award-winning games. Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic are among BioWare's successes, and the company is currently developing Jade Empire, an action-RPG to be published by Microsoft on the Xbox video game system.

"We can only hope to find more gems like Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk," said Della Rocca. "As these inspiring CEOs strive to improve our industry, they will undoubtedly impact and foster more influential leaders."

The 4th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards are sponsored by NVIDIA.

Read the whole thing at IGDA.