The 12th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards has announced the recipients of two special awards. The Pioneer Award, granted to those who innovate, will be given to Dave Theurer, creator of games like Missile Command, Tempest, and I, Robot. The Ambassador Award, given for improving the state of the industry, will honor Ken Doroshow and Paul M. Smith, the First Amendment lawyers in the recent Supreme Court case.

Theurer's accomplishments include creating one of the earliest titles to use a 3D perspective, the first game with filled 3D polygon graphics, and the first game to feature camera control options.

Read more: Theurer's innovations, Doroshow and Smith's expertise »

The 12th annual Game Developers Choice Awards nominees were announced today, providing nods to some of last year's greatest games. Three studios shared a tie for the most nominations: Bethesda for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Valve for Portal 2, and newcomer Supergiant Games for Bastion. Skyrim and Portal 2 received five nominations each, while Bastion received four and the studio itself was nominated for Best Debut.

Read more: Game of the Year nominees »