3DT: In your opinion, can games be considered 'art'?
MG: I think so. If thirty creative people labour for three years to build an exciting, immersive visual experience, that surely that should be regarded as an artistic endeavour. It doesn't automatically mean it's good art of course. Certain games perhaps have more obvious artistic resonance. Ico is a beautiful, cinematic experience. Res is a bold, abstract work.
The original concept sketch for Scree, Jenn's gargoyle companion.
3DT: Speaking of which, games have become a more accepted medium in recent years, with the Barbican putting on the "Game On" exhibition & now Primal getting an exhibition of it's Art at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Do you think this is a good thing for games?
MG: Yes. Our industry is maturing. Games are no longer produced by lone individuals working out of their bedrooms for a handful of hardcore fans: it's now a huge, creative business that appeals to mainstream consumers. It generates revenue in excess of the film and music industries and should be regarded as worthwhile in the same way. I think there are interesting cultural differences in the way gaming is perceived across the world. Here in the West we're only just beginning to recognise its fundamental artistic merits but the Japanese have enjoyed art books and soundtracks based on video games for years.
