The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has axed its video game category for the time getting.
Speaking to IGN, a spokesperson for the labour union revealed that the medium would not be recognised at this year’s show. That is not to say that the award will not return at some point in the future. It appears that appropriate now the physique feels there are not adequate video games getting penned by its members.
“There will not be a Videogame Writing Award in 2020,” a WGA rep stated.
“However, the category will be reinstated when there is a vital mass of video games covered by the WGA in order to give a meaningful award choice procedure.”
The video games category was introduced in 2008 with writers Dave Ellis and Adam Cogan for Dead Head Fred choosing up the inaugural award. More than the years, winners have incorporated The Final of Us, God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, Uncharted four: A Thief’s Finish and Rise of the Tomb Raider.
The Final of Us Portion two director Neil Druckmann took to Twitter to voice his displeasure at the announcement.
“Very disappointed at the WGA for removing the video game category from their awards. A misguided slap in the face for writers in games,” stated Druckmann.
Meanwhile, Chet Faliszek of Stray Bombay Company – who penned Portal and Left four Dead though at Valve – stated that he was previously invited to join the writers union and hence have entry to the awards, but felt it was not worth it.
“I’ve never ever joined the WGA and never ever will,” he stated.
“To win this award, you have to be a member. When they asked us to join so we could win – we could spend dues, but not vote due to the fact game writing is not genuine writing, not like have a brief story published in a zine study by 12 persons.”