Warren Spector getting Lifetime Achievement award at GDCAs

Next month at the 2012 Game Developers Choice Awards, Deus Ex and Epic Mickey designer Warren Spector will leave with a piece of hardware only 11 others have ever received. GDCA event organizers today announced that Spector will be the recipient of the group's Lifetime Achievement award.

The award, which was given to Lionhead Studios leader Peter Molyneux last year, "recognizes the career and achievements of a developer who has made an indelible impact on the craft of game development and games as a whole," according to event organizers.

Previous winners include Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, Metal Gear Solid designer Hideo Kojima, and Civilization studio head Sid Meier.

Presently the founder of Austin, Texas-based Junction Point Studios, Spector has been in the game business for 30 years. Arguably his most famous work was 2000's original Deus Ex, which he served as producer on at Ion Studios.

Spector left Ion Studios in 2004 and formed Junction Point Studios. Disney Interactive Studios acquired the company in 2007, and the shop put out Epic Mickey in 2010 to mixed reviews.

Spector will accept his award in person at the 12th annual GDCA ceremony on Wednesday, March 7, as part of the 2012 Game Developers Conference. GameSpot will stream video of the event live.