Notes

Minecraft Awarded GameCity Videogame Arts Prize

Minecraft awarded GameCity videogame art prize Leo Kelion Technology reporter



29 October 2011



Minecraft is the winner of a new arts award for computer games.



The GameCity videogame festival ended in Nottingham and the prize was announced.



Mojang, a Swedish company that is independent of the title, developed the title. Players must construct objects out of blocks in an open environment.



The game was chosen over other games, such as Southend Interactive's Ilomilo by Valve and Game Freak's Pokemon Noir by Game Freak.



"It's an honour to be compared to these games," said Markus Persson Mojang's founder.



"Winning this award will help make Minecraft the best game it can be."



Nearly four million users have already bought the title online, despite the fact it is still in beta. It will be released in a formal manner in the next month.



"It just wasn't like any other... it felt like it had an expanding life of its own. It was organic," Ed Hall, one of the judges, stated to the BBC.



"It's simplistic and addictive, and there's a certain beauty in what you're doing."



Confident in their culture



GameCity's director, Iain Simons, said that he was "delighted" by the choice.



The festival is in its sixth year of existence. He says that he has seen a rise in the average age of gamers and more women being attracted to the festival over the years.



He said, "There is a much larger constituency of gamers."



"They are becoming more commonplace They have become more confident in their cultural identity, and this prize, the festival, is particularly concerned with the development of the confidence."



The rise of smartphones is one of the reason behind this phenomenon. Smartphones today have helped make popular the kinds of games that were previously only available on dedicated mobile machines, as well as larger home consoles.



The advancements in computers and graphics chips will surely give designers a larger palette to choose from. Simon believes that these advances will make any difference in the status of artists and designers.



"I believe technology is an untruth. What technology is bringing forward is the capability for games to appear more real. He claimed that it was possible to look like a triple-A blockbuster.



"I do not believe that they are art in and of themselves. We wouldn't have the ability to be able to cry over Bambi without this. It's not all about photorealism.



The judges of the contest seem to be in agreement and admit that they picked the most basic title.



The jury was comprised of 13 people, including Dr Who actress Frances Barber, Labour MP Tom Watson and the artistic director of London's Southbank centre, Jude Kelly.



Enhancing life



Not everyone was convinced of Minecraft's merits initially. Nitin Sawhney (composer) was also on the panel and was dissatisfied with the soundtrack.



However, neither the design of the game nor the music played by it was fatal to its chances.



"[We] asked if there was one that we felt was superior to the other. Do you see any merit in the game that can enhance your life and enjoyment beyond the game? Would it help you see the bigger picture on the world? said Mr. Hall.



"Could an online game be viewed as something that wouldn't be mocked in the future?"



Minecraft includes a variety of traditional gaming elements, such as night-roaming monsters and the ability to play multiplayer online battles.



It was selected due to its ability to inspire gamers and its general mood.
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"It's the broadest definition of art you can have," said Mr Hall.



Computer games are definitely artistic. There are stories and images that engage you, ideas that confuse your mind for hours, and a total package that keeps you returning for days."



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