Notes

Minecraft Awarded GameCity Videogame Arts Prize

Minecraft was awarded GameCity videogame art prize Leo Kelion Technology reporter



29 October 2011



Minecraft has won a new award for creativity in computer games.



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



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



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



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



"Winning this award will help make Minecraft the best possible game."



Nearly four million users have purchased the game online, despite it being still in beta. The game will be released in a formal manner in the coming month.



It was like it was growing, and it was different from other. It was organic," Ed Hall, one of the judges stated to the BBC.



"It's simple and addictive, but there's an element of beauty in what you're doing."



Confident in their culture



Iain Simons (GameCity's director) expressed his delight at the decision.



The festival is currently in its sixth anniversary. In the past six years, he has said there has been a rise in the average age of gamers and more women drawn to the activity.



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



"They are becoming more commonplace They have become more culturally confident, and this prize the festival focused on investigating the confidence."



The growth of smartphones is a large part of the reason behind this phenomenon. Today's handsets helped popularise the type of games that were only available on dedicated mobile machines, as well as larger home consoles.



Modern graphics chips and computer processors undoubtedly offer developers a bigger palette to choose from. However, Mr Simon is not convinced that the advancements have any impact on designers' status as artists.



"I believe that technology is an untruth. What technology is bringing forward is the ability for games to appear more real. To look as if the triple-A blockbuster might look like," he said.



"I don't believe that's an element that makes them art. Otherwise we wouldn't cry at Bambi. It's not about photorealism."



The judges of the contest seem to be in agreement that they chose the most basic-looking title available.



The jury comprised 13 members, including Frances Barber (Dr Who), Tom Watson (Labour MP) and Jude Kelly (artistic director of Southbank Centre in London). Southbank Centre).



Enhancing life



The merits of Minecraft's work were not immediately accepted by everyone. All about minecraft The composer, Nitin Sawhney, who was on the panel as well, was critical of the soundtrack.



However, neither the music nor the look of the game proved fatal to its chances.



"[We askedwhich one we felt was head and shoulder above the other? Did the game in enhancing your life and enjoyment beyond just playing the game itself? Could it help you see the world of the world a little better?" said Mr Hall.



"Could a computer game be viewed as something that shouldn't be sneered at in the future?"



Minecraft is a game that includes the traditional elements of gaming, including monsters roaming at night and the opportunity to take on multiplayer battles online.



It was chosen due to its ability to inspire gamers and its mood.



"It's the broadest definition of art that you can have," said Mr Hall.



"But computer games are certainly artistic. There are images and stories that will engage you, ideas that will confuse your mind for hours, and a total package that keeps you coming back for more for days."



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