Two high-profile developers will be recognized at the 25th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards during this year’s Game Developers Conference in March. The Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to writer and creative director Sam Lake, recognized for his contributions to titles like Max Payne, Alan Wake, Quantum Break, and Control. Meanwhile, Independent developer Lucas Pope will receive the Pioneer Award for contributions that have significantly advanced gaming narratives and mechanics, including the impactful game Papers, Please and the highly acclaimed Return of the Obra Dinn.

Both Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn have won the Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival Awards, which is also held at GDC. The GDCA ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, immediately following the IGF awards, both of which will be streamed live on the official GDC Twitch channel.

“The Game Developers Choice Awards has a proud legacy of highlighting individuals who make gaming a compelling medium for storytelling,” said Stephenie Hawkins, GDC’s Event Director, in a press release. “We are thrilled to honor Sam Lake and Lucas Pope for their commitment to pushing the boundaries of the medium through memorable narrative structures, complex moral dilemmas, and engaging gameplay.”

Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement award include well-known personalities like Todd Howard from Elder Scrolls, John Romero from Doom, and Amy Hennig from Uncharted.