5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards

The 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards was the 5th edition of the Interactive Achievement Awards, an annual awards event that honored the best games in the video game industry during 2001. The awards were arranged by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), and were held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 28, 2002 (2002-02-28). It was also held as part of the Academy's first annual D.I.C.E. Summit. It was hosted by stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt, and featured presenters included Cliff Bleszinski, Richard Garriott, Richard Hilleman, Don James, American McGee, Lorne Lanning, Sid Meier, Shigeru Miyamoto, Ray Muzyka, Natalie Raitano, Lucia Rijker, Jason Rubin, Jez San, George Sanger, and Steve Schirripa.^[1]

The award for "Hand-Held Game of the Year" was introduced this year as a console award. The console and computer awards for "Family Title of the Year" have been renamed as "Children's Title of the Year". This would be the final year the award for "PC Educational Title of the Year" would be offered. This was the first year nominees were limited to just one genre award for either console/PC.

Halo: Combat Evolved won the most awards, including "Game of the Year", and was tied with Ico for having the most nominations. Electronic Arts had the most nominations publishing the most nominated games. Microsoft Game Studios had won the most awards and tied with Nintendo for having the most award-winning games. Baldur's Gate won both console and PC awards for "Role-Playing Game of the Year", with Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for console and the Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal expansion for PC.

Will Wright, the creator of SimCity and The Sims, was inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.