George Lucas To Receive ESA Champions Award

The Entertainment Software Association has announced that the focal point of the trade association's annual "Nite to Unite for Kids" charity gala will be the presentation of the 2005 Champions Award to George Lucas, for his contributions to the gaming industry. Lucas will be honored for his founding of LucasArts in 1982, as Lucasfilm Games. In addition to the company's many Star Wars and Indiana Jones games, Lucas' gaming division made their mark with a series of influential graphic adventures for PC, including Maniac Mansion, Loom, and The Secret of Monkey Island. Previous winners of the Champions Awards have been Will Wright, Howard Lincoln, Bing Gordon, and Isao Ogawa. "Though George Lucas has long been recognized for his tremendous contributions to the world of film, he has also been a leader in the video game business, creating amazing game experiences for players around the globe through one of the industry's most successful companies," said ESA president Douglas Lowenstein. "Our industry and its consumers have benefited greatly from Mr. Lucas’ work over the years, and we are proud to recognize him as this year's Champion honoree." The "Nite to Unite for Kids" dinner is an annual function hosted by the ESA as a charity fundraiser. The event features a live auction, which also has an online component for those who cannot attend. The 2005 event will be on October 18, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.