Shinji Mikami, the man behind Resident Evil, is finally getting his due. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced that Mikami will receive the Hall of Fame Award at the 30th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony on February 18, 2027, and it is a fitting honor for a career that has defined horror and action gaming for over three decades.
The news comes as part of the AIAS’s announcement today, with the award to be presented by Goichi Suda, better known as SUDA51. Suda calls Mikami his “close friend and creative collaborator,” and he will present the award in a ceremony marking the organization’s 30th anniversary.
What Suda Says About Mikami
Suda’s remarks are warm and personal. He frames his own career as shaped by Mikami’s mentorship, comparing the relationship to the Star Wars model of Padawan and master.
“It was from Mikami-san that I learned how to approach game development, both as a director and as a designer,” Suda said. “Of all the many Padawans Mikami-san has mentored, I’m truly honored that I was chosen to be his presenter for this induction into a kind of video game hall-of-fame.”
He closed with a direct reference to Star Wars mythology, a comparison that fits the reverence he clearly feels.
“As one such Padawan, please allow me to celebrate my Obi-Wan Kenobi, Shinji Mikami, through this honorable award. I’m sure Mikami-san’s innumerable fans and industry comrades are just as delighted as I am to see him receive such an amazing award.”
A Catalog That Outlives The Competition
Mikami’s resume is staggering. His work includes Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, Dino Crisis, The Evil Within, Hi-Fi Rush, Vanquish, and Ghostwire: Tokyo. The list runs deep, and nearly every title on it carries its own weight in the history of the medium.
“Shinji Mikami is a monumental and influential figure for both fans and developers alike.”
That line comes from Meggan Scavio, president of the AIAS, who spoke about the induction. She called him a figure who resonates across the industry.
“He has continually demonstrated his originality and creative vision that resonates and inspires the action game genre. We are honored to be able to celebrate Mikami-san’s achievements and induct him into our Hall of Fame during our 30th anniversary of the D.I.C.E. Awards.”
The Hall Of Fame Line-Up
Mikami joins a roster of past recipients who have shaped the industry in their own ways. The list includes:
- Evan Wells (2026)
- Ted Price (2025)
- Koji Kondo (2024)
- Tim Schafer (2022)
- Ed Boon (2021)
- Connie Booth (2020)
- Bonnie Ross (2019)
- Todd Howard (2017)
Each of these names represents a particular corner of the business, and Mikami’s induction rounds out a group that already spans game design, storytelling, and technical achievement.
Where Mikami Is Now
Mikami is currently the Creative Director and CEO of UNBOUND Inc. The company was purchased by Stellar Blade developer Shift Up earlier this year, and it is currently working on an unannounced video game.
The Weight Of The Award
The Hall of Fame award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry. Mikami’s body of work speaks for itself.
The presentation by Suda adds a layer of personal meaning. Suda’s role as presenter is not a formality; it is a statement about the relationship between the two.
The ceremony will also mark a milestone for the AIAS. Thirty years of D.I.C.E. Awards is a long run, and the organization is using the occasion to honor one of its most significant contributors.
What The Induction Means
Mikami’s induction is a recognition of a career built on fear, action, and constant reinvention. The list of his games proves the range. From Dino Crisis to Devil May Cry, Mikami has never stopped moving. The unannounced game from UNBOUND Inc. suggests he still has ideas to share.
The award is also a reminder of the mentorship that runs through the industry. Suda’s remarks about being a Padawan are a specific acknowledgment of the influence Mikami has had on others. The comparison to Obi-Wan Kenobi is a playful way of saying Mikami is a master who has shaped the careers of many around him.
The Hall of Fame is a hall of the living. Mikami is still working, still making games, still shaping the next generation of creators.
The announcement is a recognition of a man whose work has shaped the industry. The AIAS has chosen to honor a man whose work has shaped the industry, and it has asked one of his closest friends to present him.
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