Membership is open to any person who is in any way connected with video game development. However, for the status of Honorary Member, different criteria apply.

Step 1 – requires recognition by one or more current Honorary Members of the Association.

Step 2 – must meet at least four out of ten specified criteria:
1) Publications and Presentations

• You authored substantive professional or scholarly articles and delivered talks at reputable conferences in venues with editorial or program‑committee review, with links, citations, reach, or impact.

2) Successful IT Business Creation

• You are a founder or key builder of a successful IT enterprise, demonstrating a leading or critical role and original contributions, with evidence such as revenue, users, market share, funding, press, and your pivotal role.

3) Income from Professional Activities

• You earn a salary or other remuneration significantly higher than peers in your region or field, supported by independent market data, pay bands, contracts, or tax forms.

4) Leadership and Responsibility

• You hold or have held an important leading or critical role such as team lead, senior, staff, or principal in a distinguished organization with strong market reputation or high revenue, evidenced by org charts, references, and deliverables.

5) Recognition and Awards

• You have received nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards or placed as a finalist in reputable competitions relevant to your specialization, not restricted to narrow groups. Team awards are acceptable with proof of a pivotal contribution.

6) Judging Experience

• You have served as a judge, reviewer, or panelist evaluating others’ work in competitions, conference committees, award juries, or accelerators, with invitations, selection criteria, and outcomes.

7) Consulting and Evaluation of Others

• You performed expert evaluations of other specialists’ work for reputable organizations such as formal performance reviews, technical assessments, or advisory boards, with documented scope and selection.

8) Research and Development

• You are an author or principal contributor to original research and development of major significance such as widely used libraries, algorithms, patents, or production systems, evidenced by adoption, citations, usage metrics, or impact letters.

9) Notable Recognition in Media

• There is published material about you in major media or reputable trade press with circulation or traffic evidence and independent authorship that highlights your achievements.

10) Mentorship

• You have served as an invited mentor or instructor in selective programs such as accelerators, professional schools, university courses, or conference workshops, where you materially guide or evaluate participants, with invitations and program criteria.

Note: We welcome new senior members. If you are unsure how to document any criterion, contact us and we will connect you with a specialist to discuss your case.