Speaking to gamesindustry.biz, Peter Molyneux had some strong words for the ongoing games as art debate. When asked whether or not he considered games as art, Molyneux replied simply, "Of course they are." Elaborating on his point, Molyneux noted, "If art is described as something which promotes a reaction in you and lets you glimpse something that's more than reality - then yes, of course they're an art form." Naturally, one would expect a game designer to espouse such an opinion, but Molyneux does so with no doubt at all. When asked about games based on movies that sell more copies than more artistic games, Molyneux cites it as an example of an alarming trend in game design. Molyneux says that games are starting to lose their "Wow!" and that the industry needs to regain its sense of wonder. Of course, Molyneux hopes Fable 2 will accomplish this, noting that it isn't simply a big sequel with more of the same. "The point is," said Molyneux, "we can still do things that amaze people, and that's a fantastic position to be in." Indeed.Molyneux on games as art: "Of course they are."
Speaking to gamesindustry.biz, Peter Molyneux had some strong words for the ongoing games as art debate. When asked whether or not he considered games as art, Molyneux replied simply, "Of course they are." Elaborating on his point, Molyneux noted, "If art is described as something which promotes a reaction in you and lets you glimpse something that's more than reality - then yes, of course they're an art form." Naturally, one would expect a game designer to espouse such an opinion, but Molyneux does so with no doubt at all. When asked about games based on movies that sell more copies than more artistic games, Molyneux cites it as an example of an alarming trend in game design. Molyneux says that games are starting to lose their "Wow!" and that the industry needs to regain its sense of wonder. Of course, Molyneux hopes Fable 2 will accomplish this, noting that it isn't simply a big sequel with more of the same. "The point is," said Molyneux, "we can still do things that amaze people, and that's a fantastic position to be in." Indeed.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-10-2007 @ 3:10PM
Mercy12 said...
I agree with him whole heartedly... I need to run to class, but I have been in many debates on propaganda as art, etc. As an indie/student filmmaker myself, games are definitely art, many reasons to which Molyneux touches on. If nothing else one must argue, especially in the world of graphic design and art being made solely on computers, if nothing else, outside of the game as a game, the creation of story, landscape, character and all of the elements therein (take a screen shot of a game) is art in itself.
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10-10-2007 @ 3:14PM
Knight Marquise said...
Absolutely it art. Oh...and I can't wait for Fable 2.
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10-10-2007 @ 3:16PM
Mr Queso said...
me and my art teacher were having this same discussion today.
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10-10-2007 @ 3:26PM
Triforceowner said...
LOL Who couldn't love this guy.
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10-10-2007 @ 5:35PM
slyecho said...
"games based on movies that sell more copies than more artistic games"
I think it should also say:
"Crappy sequels and uninspired, derivative movies sell more copies than more artistic movies."
Which just indicates the falling level of culture in our society as a whole.
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10-10-2007 @ 6:37PM
Grant said...
The only people who are still banging the battle drum that games are not art are antiquated and see news medium as a threat to something they do.
IN the next 20 to 30 years, as these dinosaurs die out and technology further integrates into life, the answer will be a unanimous yes.
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10-10-2007 @ 7:12PM
KFelon said...
If games were really art, they wouldn't keep getting censored.
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10-10-2007 @ 8:34PM
Shaka Zulu said...
I agree with this guy. Not is game an art but the culmination of many other art forms. You have graphic designers, sound engineers, and the game designers who actually try to emulate life itself. The point brought up about the commercialized games untrue. Even J. S. Bach did write music..or create "art for art's sake." He was paid by the Church. Items that historians consider true art has been commercialized for a very long time already...
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10-10-2007 @ 9:37PM
ChiefQ8 said...
Totally agreed with Molyneux
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10-11-2007 @ 9:30AM
thisguyrighthere said...
Anyone who doesn't believe video games are art needs to play through Portal right now. There's complete sensory and emotional experience if there ever was one.
Oh, how I miss my companion cube. Why? Why did you have to leave me!?!
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10-11-2007 @ 4:20PM
rainking187 said...
See, this is the way to do it. Instead of saying something arrogant about your game, which might turn out to be decent but people won't pick up because you're a jerk, say something nice about videogames as a whole, so people will pick up your next game even though your last big game didn't deliver and was all around mediocre.
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10-11-2007 @ 4:54PM
Cerixus said...
Eternal Sonata.
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