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id Software was just bestowed the honor of winning two Technology Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today, January 8, 2007. The awards were given as part of the Science, Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards ceremony.

The Pioneering Development Work in 3D Game Engines award was won by John Carmack, co-founder and technical director of id Software, for his cutting edge contributions to rendering technology as the lead programmer on the mighty Doom. id Software, an uncontested leader in technology development, was awarded a second Emmy for the company's technological leadership in rendering breakthroughs with the Quake technology, also exceedingly mighty.

The Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards honor achievements in two areas: Science, Engineering & Technology for Broadcast Television, which includes broadcast, cable and satellite distribution, and secondly, Science, Engineering and Technology for Broadband and Personal Television, encompassing interactive television, gaming technology, and for the first time, the Internet, cell phones, private networks, and personal media players. This year represents a milestone for the interactive entertainment industry (official-speak for "videogames") as id Software is the very first independent game developer to be awarded an Emmy since the Academy began honoring technology innovation in 1948.

"This is an incredible honor for John Carmack and id Software," says Todd Hollenshead, CEO, id Software. "We consistently push the limits of gaming technology, and it's great to be recognized for the passion and dedication we put into our games."

Other recipients included Microsoft, Adobe Systems Inc., RealNetworks, and Apple sharing the Emmy Award for Streaming Media Architectures and Components; DirecTV Interactive Sports for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Synchronous Enhancement of Original Television Content (they can fit all that on one trophy?); Slingbox Media's Slingbox for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms; and Nintendo and Sony Computer Entertainment America both picked up the award for Peripheral Development and Technological Impact of Video Game Controllers.