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BioShock Receives a Record-Breaking 12 Interactive Achievement Award Nominations

Call of Duty 4, The Orange Box, Rock Band, Super Mario Galaxy, 'Shock Fight It Out for 'Overall Game of the Year' Honors

The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) today announced the nominees for the 11th annual Interactive Achievement Awards. The nominations for the peer-based awards have been dominated by two blockbuster first-person shooter games, BioShock (2K Games) and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision) by receiving an astounding 10+ nominations from industry leaders and members of the interactive entertainment software business. In addition, finalists in close lead with top nominations include: The Orange Box (Electronic Arts and Valve Software), Rock Band (MTV Games) and Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo of America), all up for the Overall Game of the Year Award.

The awards ceremony will take place during The D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit 2008 on February 7 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, with comedian, actor and proud game enthusiast, Jay Mohr returning for his third year to host the award ceremony.

These peer-based awards recognize the outstanding products, talented individuals and development teams that have contributed to the advancement of the multi-billion dollar worldwide entertainment software industry. The Interactive Achievement Awards for the first time can be viewed live via webcast on GameSpot ( www.gamespot.com) and Comcast HD Video on Demand. This gives game enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to experience first-hand the excitement as the coveted Interactive Achievement Awards are presented to the geniuses and giants behind the most popular video games of the year.

"This year's finalists reflect the commitment game makers have to create compelling, engaging and exciting experiences for the expanding game playing audience," said Joseph Olin, president, AIAS. "The 2008 nominees represent the tremendous talent and passion that our members bring to their craft. The Interactive Achievement Awards are dedicated to acknowledging the men and women who create these innovative and excellent games."

Following is a partial list of finalists; the complete list of finalists is available at www.interactive.org:

           Overall Game of the Year:
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BioShock

   -- Publisher: 2K Games

   -- Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

   -- Publisher: Activision

   -- Developer: Infinity Ward

Rock Band

   -- Publisher: MTV Games

   -- Developer: Harmonix

Super Mario Galaxy

   -- Publisher: Nintendo of America

   -- Developer: Nintendo

The Orange Box

   -- Publisher: Electronic Arts/Valve Software

   -- Developer: Valve Software



           Console Game of the Year:

-----------------------------------------------

BioShock

   -- Publisher: 2K Games

   -- Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

   -- Publisher: Activision

   -- Developer: Infinity Ward

Mass Effect

   -- Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

   -- Developer: BioWare

Rock Band

   -- Publisher: MTV Games

   -- Developer: Harmonix

Super Mario Galaxy

   -- Publisher: Nintendo of America

   -- Developer: Nintendo



          Computer Game of the Year:

-----------------------------------------------

BioShock

   -- Publisher: 2K Games

   -- Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

   -- Publisher: Activision

   -- Developer: Infinity Ward

Crysis

   -- Publisher: Electronic Arts

   -- Developer: Crytek

The Orange Box

   -- Publisher: Electronic Arts/Valve Software

   -- Developer: Valve Software

World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

   -- Publisher: Vivendi Games

   -- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment

       Outstanding Innovation in Gaming:

-----------------------------------------------

Assassin's Creed

   -- Publisher: Ubisoft

   -- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

BioShock

   -- Publisher: 2K Games

   -- Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia

Rock Band

   -- Publisher: MTV Games

   -- Developer: Harmonix

Super Mario Galaxy

   -- Publisher: Nintendo of America

   -- Developer Nintendo

The Orange Box

   -- Publisher: Electronic Arts/Valve Software

   -- Developer: Valve Software



                   Handheld Game of the Year

---------------------------------------------------------------

Drawn to Life

   -- Publisher: THQ

   -- Developer: 5th Cell

Jeanne d'Arc

   -- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America

   -- Developer: Level 5

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

   -- Publisher: D3 Publisher of America

   -- Developer: Infinite Interactive, 1st Playable Productions

Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters

   -- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America

   -- Developer: High Impact Games

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

   -- Publisher: Nintendo of America

   -- Developer: Nintendo

SOURCE: Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences