Minecraft awarded GameCity videogame art prize Leo Kelion Technology reporter
29 October 2011
Minecraft has won a brand new award for computer-generated art games.
The GameCity videogame culture festival concluded in Nottingham and the winner was announced.
Mojang, an Swedish company that is independent of the title, created the title. In an open world players build objects using blocks.
The game was chosen over other releases , including Valve's Portal 2, Southend Interactive's Ilomilo and Game Freak's Pokemon Black.
Markus Persson, founder of Mojang said it was a great honor to be compared to those games.
"Winning this award allows us to at making Minecraft the most enjoyable game it can be."
Nearly four million people have already purchased the title online, despite it being still in beta. tiara.info It is scheduled to go live for formal release next month.
It felt like it was growing and it was unlike any other. It had an organic nature," Ed Hall, one of the judges, said to the BBC.
"It's simple and addictive, and there's an element of beauty in the work you do."
Confident in their culture
GameCity's director, Iain Simons, said the company was "delighted" by the choice.
His festival is now in its sixth year of existence. He says he's witnessed a rise in gamers' average age and more women being attracted to the festival over the years.
"There is a much broader constituency of people playing games," he said.
"They have become more normalized, they have been more confident in their cultural identity and this award, and the festival, is all about examining that confidence."
The growth of smartphones is a large part of the reason for this phenomenon. The popularity of sophisticated games made possible by smartphones today is largely due to the growth in the use of smartphones.
The advancements in computer processors and graphics chips will surely give designers a larger palette of options. Simon does not believe that these advancements will make any difference in the status of artists and designers.
"I believe technology is an untruth. What technology is driving forward is the ability of games to look more real. He claimed that it was possible to look like the triple-A blockbuster.
"I don't believe that's in itself something that makes them art. We wouldn't be able to weep over Bambi without this. It's not about photography."
The judges in the contest seem to be in agreement and admit they chose the most basic-looking contestant.
The diverse 13-person jury included Dr Who actress Frances Barber, Labour MP Tom Watson and the artistic director of London's Southbank centre, Jude Kelly.
Enhancing life
Some people were not convinced of Minecraft's merits at first. The composer, Nitin Sawhney, who was on the panel as well, was critical of the soundtrack.
However, neither the design of the game nor the music played by it proved fatal to its chances.
"[We asked if there was any that we felt was superior to the other. Did the game enhancing life and enjoyment beyond playing the game? Could it improve your outlook on the world? Mr. Hall said.
"Could a computer-generated game be considered to be something that could be played in the near future?"
Minecraft has the classic elements of gaming, including night-roaming monsters and the chance to battle online multiplayer battles.
It was chosen due to its ability to inspire gamers and its mood.
Mr. Hall said, "It's a broad definition of art that is attainable."
"But computer games are certainly artistic. There are images and storylines that entice you, concepts that confuse your mind for hours, and a total package that will keep you returning for days."
Microsoft reports record revenues
21 July 2011
Golden Joystick Awards unveiled
21 October 2011
Cataclysm strikes Warcraft's world
7 December 2010
GameCity
No comments yet