Minecraft was awarded GameCity videogame art prize Leo Kelion Technology reporter
29 October 2011
Minecraft has won a new award for arts in computer games.
The GameCity videogame culture festival concluded in Nottingham and the winner was announced.
Mojang is a Swedish company independent of the title, created the title. In an open-world players build objects from blocks.
The game was picked over other releases, 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 an honour to be compared to those games.
"Winning this award helps us to try create Minecraft the best game it can be."
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Nearly four million people have purchased the title on the internet, despite the fact that it's still in beta. The game is scheduled for a official release in the next month.
"It just wasn't like any other... it seemed to have an evolving life of its own. It had an organic nature," one of the judges, Ed Hall, told the BBC.
"It's simple and addictive, and there's a touch of beauty in what you are doing."
Culturally confident
GameCity's director, Iain Simons, said the company was "delighted" at the choice.
The festival is in its sixth year of existence. Over that time he says he has seen an increase in the average age of gamers, and more women drawn to the activity.
"There is a broader constituency of people playing games," he said.
"They have become more normalized, they have been more culturally confident and this award, and the festival, is all about exploring that confidence."
The phenomenon is attributed to the growth of smartphones. The advent of smartphones has helped to popularize the kinds of games that were only available on dedicated mobile machines, and larger home consoles.
The possibilities for developers are undoubtedly enhanced by advancements in computers, graphics chips, and other technologies. However, Mr Simon does not think the advancements affect the designers their status as artists.
"I believe technology is an illusion. Technology allows games to appear more real. He claimed that it was possible to appear like an AAA blockbuster.
"I do not believe that this is in itself something that makes them art. We wouldn't be able to be able to cry over Bambi without that. It's not about photorealism."
The judges of the contest seem to agree with each other while admitting that they have chosen the most basic of titles.
The jury consisted of 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 were not immediately embraced by everyone. Nitin Sawhney (composer) was also on the panel and was critical of the soundtrack.
But ultimately neither the look of the game nor the music played by it was fatal to its chances.
"[We] asked if there was any that we thought was superior to the other. Do you see any merit in the game that improves your life and enjoyment beyond the game? Could it improve your outlook on the world? Mr. Hall said.
"Could a computer game be viewed as something that shouldn't be mocked in the future?"
Minecraft includes a variety of traditional gaming elements, such as night-roaming monsters, or the chance to participate in online battles multiplayer.
It was selected due to its ability to inspire gamers and its general mood.
Mr Hall stated, "It's a broad definition of art that can be had."
"But computer games are definitely artistic. There are images and stories that will entice you and ideas that will boggle your mind for hours, and a complete package that will keep you coming back for more for days."
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