Earlier Tuesday it was announced that legendary game creator Hideo Kojima will be inducted into The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Kojima, the man behind the Metal Gear Solid series, will be the 21st inductee into this hall of fame. The award will be given to Kojima live at the 19th annual D.I.C.E Awards in Las Vegas this coming February at the Mandalay Convention Center.

Adding to this momentous news, it was announced that the award will presented to Kojima by legendary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who was working on a new Silent Hill with Kojima, at next month’s award show.

This huge news comes out of what was a rather roller coaster year for Kojima which included his departure from Konami during the company’s restructuring last year.

In a statement released by the president of The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, Martin Rae, states:

Hideo Kojima’s career-defining works have shaped much of how the video game industry approaches cinematic storytelling and player engagement.

Rae goes on to say:

As one of the most well-loved and well-respected designers of our time, it is a great honor for the Academy to induct him into our Hall of Fame.

While 2015 had its ups and downs, 2016 seems to hold a more positive outlook for Kojima who recently formed an independent studio named Kojima Productions. The first game to come out of the new studio is set to be a PlayStation 4 exclusive.

Kojima joins fellow hall of famers including Leslie Benzies, Dan and Sam Houser, and Dr. Ray Muzyka.