San
Francisco, CA (March 9, 2005) – March 8th was
a historic day in San Francisco as the first six stars were
unveiled on the Walk of Game, the first-of-its-kind destination
for gamers worldwide. This year celebrated the first-ever
inductees Shigeru Miyamoto (creator of “Mario
Brothers” and “Donkey Kong”) and Nolan
Bushnell (co-founder of Atari and “Pong”),
in the Lifetime Achievement category, and Halo, Link (The
Legend of Zelda), Mario, and Sonic
The Hedgehog in the category for favorite Games/Characters.
The event drew a capacity crowd of attendees and over seventy
members of international press, and culminated with a speech
by Mayor Gavin Newsom, who made an official proclamation decreeing
Tuesday, March 8th, as ‘Walk of Game Day’ in San
Francisco..
In attendance to accept the honors were Simon Jeffery,
President of SEGA of America, Takashi Iizuka,
Game Director, SEGA Studio USA and Sonic The Hedgehog
on behalf of SEGA of America, Marty O’Donnell
of Bungie Studios, for Halo, Bill Trinen,
associate localization producer at Nintendo of America, for
Link and Shigeru Miyamoto, and Mario and
Nolan Bushnell in person.
“Video game sales have eclipsed Hollywood box office
revenue and it’s time that those who aren’t aware
of this stand up and take notice, or fail to do so at their
own peril,” said Honorable Mayor Newsom to a crowd of
both gamers and press. “San Francisco recognizes Walk
of Game Day to honor and celebrate the incredible achievements
made by video game icons and pioneers, and we are extremely
proud to finally have a Walk of our own to honor these accomplishments.”
The top four Games/Characters and the top two lifetime achievers
were voted in by gamers worldwide at www.walkofgame.com
and received a 24"x 24", customized star installed
on the floors of Metreon, a 350,000 square-foot entertainment
center in downtown San Francisco. 2006 nominations will be
announced in late 2005.
“The overwhelming response to Walk of Game has exceeded
our expectations in every way,” said Archie Elwell,
VP of Brand and Business Development at Metreon. “We
are humbled by the collective input from the gaming community,
the City of San Francisco, the Game Developers Conference,
and wish to thank everyone who helped us inaugurate the first
physical landmark for the video game industry.”
Additional information about Walk of Game can be found online
at www.WalkOfGame.com.
About Metreon
Metreon is a 350,000 square-foot entertainment complex located
at Fourth and Mission streets in downtown San Francisco.
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** Interviews, photo and broadcast opportunities
are available – please contact:
Eric Gonzalez, VSC Consulting
eric@vscconsulting.com
// 415-272-0836
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