http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-8/winners.asp
About AIAS (excerpt):
What is the Academy?
The AIAS is a non-profit member organization of over 5500 members, solely dedicated to serving the entertainment software industry.
Who is involved in the Academy?
Historically, the Academy's board includes senior executives from the major videogame companies, including Sony, Nintendo, EA, Microsoft, Atari, Activision, and Ubisoft. Current members represent such varied fields as: art and graphics, animation, acting, interactive design, production, software engineering, sound design and music, testing and quality assurance, video and special effects, editorial and storyline writing, as well as the business segment of the industry.
Why does the Academy exist?
The Academy's mission is to promote, communicate and advance the common interests in the worldwide entertainment software community.
Who can become a member?
Only qualified professionals who work in the industry can become voting Academy members. The basic qualification for voting membership is two years continuous full-time experience on a design team or as a quality control executive, plus a named credit on a game that has been published in North America. Business executives and Marketing people are encouraged to join the Academy as well. Students and team members with less than two years experience can join as non-voting members.
What does it mean to be a "voting member"?
Each year the Academy presents its own Academy awards to recognize the very best videogames, computer games, online entertainment, and individual and team craft achievement. The recipients of these awards are determined in a vote by Academy members. By applying the membership standards and by limiting voting rights to qualified professionals, Interactive Academy Awards represent the voice of the talent pool of our industry.
How are the finalists selected?
In each category, award finalists are determined by a large block of the most senior Academy members. These members volunteer their time to review nominations and create group rankings to advance the very best examples of the art and sciences of interactive software games. Products are nominated by developers and publishers who pay a fee to enter the competition. These fees help cover the cost of the Award program.
Why are the Academy's Awards special?
No other award in interactive gaming is determined only by the talent. No one is more qualified than the men and women who make the games to select the best examples of our industry. By applying strict artistic standards, and by focusing on the best examples of our craft, we honor members of our own community. In this way, we bring artistic achievement, not sales success, to the forefront, and raise the standard of excellence in games. That is distinctly a responsibility and honor for talent.