Game designer Will Wright (watch his TEDTalk) will become a Fellow of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) this month — one of only 67 ever named, and the first video game designer, reports Variety. A few other BAFTA Fellows: Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Elizabeth Taylor …
Since 2006, BAFTA — essentially the UK equivalent of the American Oscars and Emmies combined — has been honoring video games on an equal footing with film and television, even down to having a glossy award show. Becoming the “third arm” of BAFTA (which may explain Will’s appearance in his TEDTalk) is a significant step for an expanding industry full of innovative minds. This year’s nominated games can be seen on the BAFTA site; the awards will be given on October 23.