Kojima's so good at what he does that he only needs one lifetime to get his second lifetime achievement award. Word has just gone out that living legend Hideo Kojima will be given this high distinction at the 2009 Game Developers Choice Awards.

Whenever the name "Nintendo" is heard, it calls to mind such big-time names as Shigeru Miyamoto, Eiji Aonuma and Koji Kondo, Reggie Fils-Aime and Perrin Kaplan. But few even remember Gunpei Yokoi, who deserves as much reverence as the above named superstars.

The Escapist pays tribute to the achievements of Gunpei Yokoi outside of the myth that he is but a Nintendo creation. Gunpei Yokoi is credited for the invention of the D-Pad, Game and Watch, R.O.B., Game Boy, Virtual Boy, a dozen or so children's toys and the creation of Super Mario, Fire Emblem, Kid Icarus and Metroid franchises.

Yokoi's childhood remains untold. His discovery came in 1970 when, working as a janitor for Nintendo, Nintendo's president at that time noticed Yokoi's creation of an extending hand toy. The company marketed this device, which quickly sold more than a million units, saved the company and had Yokoi promoted as researcher.

Yokoi went on to produce other hits for the company, such as the Game and Watch, the Famicom Robot and, working with young Miyamoto at that time, Donkey Kong and Super Mario Brothers. In 1993, he developed Virtual Boy, a gadget which did not sell. Yokoi was personally crushed by the flop of Virtual Boy and finally resigned from Nintendo.

Yokoi did try to put up his own company and a fresh start for himself, but an accident in 1997 ended his life at the age of 56. The Escapist Magazine honors him ten years after the year of his death, saying:

Gunpei is nothing short of an inspiration. He is proof that the best legacy is not a name place in the history books, but rather the gift of joy, be it to one person or 100 million people around the world.

Yes, the Game Developer's Choice Awards, one of many the peer-based awards in the gaming industry, will be hosted in March 7, 2007 at the Esplanade Ballroom of the Moscone Center's South Hall. The GDCA Advisory Board now has announced the names of fellow legendary developers to be awarded special honors during the award ceremony hosted by Tim Schafer.

Jamil Moledina, Executive Director of the Game Developers Conference, said:

This year’s recipients of the Game Developers Choice Award special honors reflect the dramatic impact of their visionary creations and industry work. Our four honorees are each responsible for inspiring the industry to creative heights through personal example and challenging conventional wisdom.

The legends and their awards are as follows:

• First Penguin Award - Alexey Pajitnov (Tetris)
  
• Maverick Award - Greg Costikyan (pioneer of indie games)
  
• Community Contribution Award - George "The Fatman" Sanger (game audio developer)
  
• Lifetime Achievement Award - Shigeru Miyamoto (Donkey Kong, Mario Bros.)
  

The First Penguin Award acknowledges developers who venture into unknown territory and pave the way for the rest of the development community. The Maverick Award recognizes those who take risks by experimenting with unconventional methods. The Community Contribution Award is presented to a developer who embodies the spirit of community and encourages improvement among peers.

Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are selected by the Choice Awards Advisory Board, who are a collection of developers from around the globe. Past recipients of this award include Richard Garriott, Eugene Jarvis, Mark Cerny, Gunpei Yokoi (posthumously), Yuji Naka and Will Wright.