tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074451.post6435899514669814664..comments2024-02-05T05:56:50.392-05:00Comments on Insult Swordfighting: The auteur theory of gamesMitch Krpatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15987162934932391765noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074451.post-31175669969830922732008-03-04T21:05:00.000-05:002008-03-04T21:05:00.000-05:00There is a thesis on game auteur here:http://kafaa...There is a thesis on game auteur here:<BR/><BR/>http://kafaayari.wordpress.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074451.post-19756708894019320932008-02-07T16:00:00.000-05:002008-02-07T16:00:00.000-05:00Billy, I think you're right. There actually is a t...Billy, I think you're right. There actually is a thriving indie game scene, and it's getting a boost on the console front with the distribution platforms of Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network. Most likely, when somebody like Gore Verbinski says there aren't any auteurs out there, it's because he just doesn't know these games exist. They don't get play on the cover of Game Informer, or the featured slot on Gamespot's home page. The established narrative seems to be that all that's out there are these massive, multi-million-dollar bohemoths, and it's going to take an indie breakthrough to puncture that -- something similar to the independent films that started making big bucks around 1990 or so.<BR/><BR/>And you're right, a lot of the most successful big budget games do seem to have a unique style. I've got some problems with Grand Theft Auto, certainly, but most of the best games last year were pretty unique in their presentation. Look at <EM>Portal</EM> -- that was made by committee and had a completely independent vibe.Mitch Krpatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15987162934932391765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074451.post-78633797318805849712008-02-07T12:26:00.000-05:002008-02-07T12:26:00.000-05:00I guess the best comparison to make is with the in...I guess the best comparison to make is with the indie game scene. Many of the games from that scene are constructed by either an individual or a small and tightly nit bunch of like-minded individuals. When making a game they don't need to satisfy the vast majority of gamers, because their game is typically free to download. As such, a very personal game is made, one that is drenched with the creator’s personality.<BR/><BR/>Famous examples would include Derek Yu's 'Aquarius', Jonathan Mak's 'Everyday Shooter' and Jonathan Blow's 'Braid'. They are true to the creator’s original vision. They weren't all made entirely by one person (Blow brought in outer help, the awesome David Hellman for one) but any other contributors were proberbly chosen due to the creator’s belief that they hold a similar vision.<BR/><BR/>Paradise City could have been carved from the inner workings of Alex Ward, but for a AAA racing game it may not have been appropriate. Tim Schafer's interests are found all over his gameography, and although it gives them better reviews, it tends to hinder their overall sales.<BR/><BR/>So the question is, ‘how does a big-budget game that's aimed at a wide audience include a distinctive and unique personality (or 'soul') yet have its universal appeal still intact?’ Can you think of examples? Are the Houser Brothers our game equivalent of the Coen Brothers - able to make blockbuster material (the GTA franchise) yet keep a clear and niche humor and play-style untamed and prominent throughout?<BR/><BR/>Well there are my thoughts, and the main points of a blog post I was planning to write...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074451.post-21731862755376109762008-02-06T13:38:00.000-05:002008-02-06T13:38:00.000-05:00Then again, there are those super producers who se...Then again, there are those super producers who seem to have a hand in so many of the biggest hits, and who people probably would say have a unique sound, like Timbaland or the Neptunes. I'm not qualified to say, but my impression is that a handful of people are responsible for more of those pop hits than we sometimes realize. What we think of as a generic, adult contemporary sound might actually be the unmistakable stamp of Diane Warren.Mitch Krpatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15987162934932391765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074451.post-16123150224869982672008-02-06T13:35:00.000-05:002008-02-06T13:35:00.000-05:00Same deal with music. The latest top 40 pop song i...Same deal with music. The latest top 40 pop song is generally catchy, technically proficient, etc., but doesn't tend to have a unique sound. Compare to individual artists (or even bands) who do their own songwriting, production, and all those things (Nine Inch Nails comes to mind).Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03278535699466229371noreply@blogger.com