Since the first Nite to Unite, a cornerstone of the celebration has been honoring an individual, organization, or team whose work has had a positive community or industry impact with the Champion Award.
These honorees exemplify outstanding applications of entertainment software for social impact. We are proud to celebrate the tremendous work that enhances both our industry and our communities.
- 2024: SIE San Diego Studios for the inclusion of the Negro Leagues into the 2023 MLB The Show storyline
- 2019: Xbox Adaptive Controller Team; The Starlight Children’s Foundation
- 2018: Laila Shabir, CEO and Founder of LearnDistrict and Girls Make Games
- 2017: Sid Meier, Director of Creative Development at Firaxis Games; Jeromy Adams, Founder of Extra Life
- 2016: Peter Moore, Electronic Arts, Vice President and Chief Competition Officer; John Graham, Humble Bundle, Co-Founder
- 2013: Kaz Hirai, Sony Corporation, President and CEO
- 2012: Gabe Newell, Valve Corporation, Co-Founder
- 2011: Mike Morhaime, Blizzard Entertainment, President and Co-Founder
- 2010: Robbie Bach, Xbox, Former President, Entertainment and Devices Division
- 2009: Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft, CEO
- 2008: Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo, Creative Fellow
- 2007: Ken Kutaragi, Sony Corporation, Chairman and CEO
- 2006: Dan DeMatteo, GameStop, Former CEO and Co-Founder
- 2005: George Lucas, Lucasfilm/Industrial Light & Magic, Filmmaker
- 2004: Bing Gordon, Electronic Arts, Former Chief Creative Officer
- 2003: Jeff Griffiths, Electronic Boutique, President and CEO
- 2002: Will Wright, Electronic Arts, Game Designer, The Sims
- 2001: Isao Okawa, Sega Enterprises, Former Chairman
- 2000: Howard Lincoln, Nintendo, Former Chairman
- 1999: Michael Goldstein, Toys ‘R Us’, President and Chief Executive