Notes

Minecraft Awarded GameCity Videogame Arts Prize

Minecraft awarded GameCity videogame arts prize by Leo Kelion Technology reporter



29 October 2011



Minecraft has won a brand new award for computer-generated art games.



The prize was announced at the finale of the GameCity videogame culture festival in Nottingham.



Mojang is a Swedish company independent of the title, has created the title. Players must construct objects using blocks in an open environment.



The game was picked over other games, including Southend Interactive's Ilomilo from Valve and Game Freak's Pokemon Noir from Game Freak.



Markus Persson, founder of Mojang, said that it was a great honor to be compared with those games.



"Winning this award helps to make Minecraft the best game it can be."



Nearly four million people have purchased the game on the internet, despite it being still in beta. It will be released in a formal way in the coming month.



It felt like it was growing and it wasn't like any other. It was organic in its nature," Ed Hall, one of the judges said to the BBC.



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



Culturally confident



Iain Simons (GameCity's director) said he was delighted by the decision.



His festival is now in its sixth year. Over that time he says there has been an increase in the average age of gamers, and more women drawn to the activity.



"There is a much larger group of people who play games," he said.



"They have become more normalized, they have been more culturally confident and this award, and the festival, is very much about examining that confidence."



The phenomenon is attributed to the growth of smartphones. The popularity of sophisticated games that are now possible thanks to smartphones today is in part due to the increase in the use of smartphones.



The possibilities for designers are certainly enhanced by advancements in computer processors and graphics chips, as well as other technologies. However, Mr Simon believes that these advances have any impact on designers' status as artists.



"I think that technology is a red herring. What technology is driving forward is the capability for games to look more real. To look like 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 agree with each other and admit that they picked the most basic title.



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


Enhancing life



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



However, neither the music or the style of the game proved fatal to its chances.



"[We askedwhether there was a game that we felt was head and shoulders above the rest? Did the game that could enhance the quality of life and enjoyment, beyond playing the game? Would it help you see the bigger picture on the world? Mr. Hall stated.



"Could an electronic game be considered a thing that could be played in the near future?"



Minecraft is a game that includes the traditional elements of gaming, such as monsters roaming at night and the opportunity to fight multiplayer battles online.



It was chosen because of its ability to motivate gamers and its mood.



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



Computer games are definitely artistic. There are images and stories that will keep you entertained and ideas that will boggle your mind for hours, and a complete package that will keep you coming back for days."



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