While mucking up Podtoid 37, I really liked the question about the industry maturing. While videogames are definitely more mainstream, with regular articles covering the industry in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, there is still a stigma revolving around videogame culture. For every article that talked about Halo being a billion-dollar franchise, there was someone on TV claiming that games are just for kids.
If you look on TV and in movies, gamers are still furiously tapping the buttons on whatever system they're playing, as though their heart rate depends on smashing that A button in until it breaks. I'm sure once they get up to putting Wiimotes in actors' hands, they'll be swinging about wildly and throwing them into TVs. I can see it now, actually. Jake, the pudgy little boy on Two and a Half Men, gets a Wii for his birthday, because he can use it to "exercise." Charlie Sheen decides to join in, and throws the remote right into the TV. Now, it's a race against time to find the money to replace the TV.
So, when will the general culture of videogames evolve beyond "that thing for kids" into a legitimate art form where we won't need to hear from those like Roger Ebert, telling us that videogames can't be art? Well, I think that can be pretty soon.
One aspect of the industry that could do with a bit of change is way in which we award the industry. Right now, the Internet is a relative shootout when it comes to the credibility of awards, and so there are two main entities that are outside of that realm: Spike TV's Spike Video Game Awards, and ZiffDavis' current line-up of magazines, and their end-of-year-awards. I want to focus on the Spike awards, though, mainly because it has the largest amount of exposure when it comes to the general American public. Magazines and Internet carry a lot of weight and can swing things within the gaming community, but they are an exclusive source. Television, on the other hand, is easily accessible by everyone who has basic cable.
Right now, the Spike Video Game Awards is the only spectacle on TV that represents videogames. Looking at the list of 2007's winners, along with the discussion that followed, the awards attempted to cover a broad spectrum of games, ultimately giving out awards to triple-A titles, leaving low-key ones like Persona 3 in the dust. While it's a noble goal, bringing videogames to the forefront of peoples' minds, the Spike awards are first and foremost a means of entertainment.
Let's take a look at a clip from the show:
Jesus. I mean, just from the first two minutes of the video, you have the award being presented off of a woman's body, strobe lights that would have given me a seizure if it weren't for YouTube's low quality, and scripted dialogue that is throwing itself at the 18-34 male audience. The show focuses on glorifying everything that's cool and hip, treating things more like the MTV Movie Awards than the Oscars. SpikeTV isn't claiming that they're the Oscars, either. They certainly do reflect an aspect of gaming culture. The problem is that they are the only show representing gaming culture on basic cable, giving a skewed image of what gamers are like.
What we need is an awards ceremony that treats things with respect. First off, while it may be "hip" to have some rocker come out and rip the clothes off of some model in order to reveal the winner of an award, an envelope and explanation of why the game was nominated, along with some game footage, would do just fine. And perhaps, instead of a rocker, why not have it be someone who is actually involved in the industry? Why not have Will Wright or David Jaffe go up and present awards?
If everyone took things seriously in terms of presentation, then that would go a long way towards improving the image of the videogame industry. The next hurdle is creating programming that has a low barrier of entry for people who are not very familiar with videogames. Like I mentioned before, there needs to be an explanation for what these games are, and why they were nominated. The practicality of this is kind of hard, so perhaps the pre-show coverage could do highlights on all the nominated games. Once the awards are presented, then they can give a short description as to why the game has been nominated for that particular award. It's not an ideal solution, but it's a step forward.
Finally, there's the third problem area: the games being awarded. Instead of having this as a simple popularity contest, or making award categories opportunities to sell adspace (i.e. the Gamer Fuel award), have the awards focus on games that are genuinely good, whether they are triple-A titles or downloadable content.
One other thing that is missing from the industry are the auteurs. There are some individuals within the videogame industry that are instantly recognizable: Molyneux, Wright, Jaffe. Yet, can you name the people who wrote BioShock or Call of Duty 4? Auteurs are those people who really made a difference in the project, and helped shape it to their unique vision. I'll get into the auteur theory and videogames in another article, but suffice to say, awarding excellence of specific individuals and groups is an important step towards legitimizing videogames as art.
So, industry, it's about time to trade in those ripped jeans for a tuxedo (and not one that you rent!), and let's start trying to give ourselves a positive image by putting out something that not only rewards videogames for being good, but also sends out a positive message to all those who are watching and don't play videogames.
Where have you been, Weekend Reading? We've been worried sick about you. We thought that you'd been abducted, or maybe that you ran away from home because of our constant nagging. I guess it doesn't matter. Welcome home, son.
I think it could happen, and it sort of already does (doesn't the AIAS have classy awards?), it would just never be televised, because if it's on television, it has to be base entertainment. Really that's the general consensus for most media. I mean really, outside of PBS, where do you see in depth chats and documentaries with people that worked on movies or music or anything?
Having read the article: Despite performances by Foo Fighters, I refuse to watch the Spike VGAs for all the reasons you mentioned. I avoid the MTV VMAs as well. I don't want to be marketed to and see whatever singer is currently popular, I want a fucking award show with dignity.
YO DAWG WE HEARD YOU LIKE VIDEO GAMES SO WE REPLACED YOUR TIRES, ENGINE, WINDOWS, AND RADIO WITH PLAYSTATIONS AND NINTENDOS. YOU BEST NOT START THE IGNITION BITCH
Dammit, Pizzaface. I told you not to put 360s in as the engine. That shit will burn up like the sun, yo.
I noticed the AIAS stuff, Wedge, but I really don't know much about them. If they keep themselves tight-lipped, then that's a bad sign. Also, the Oscars are classy(er) than most every other awards show, and they're on TV. I don't think its outside the realm of possibility.
I agree with the majority of everything that you wrote. And in a perfect world all you say would be true. Hell I wish there was an award show for Gamers and Nongamers to watch where there isn't the latest teenie bopper actor or actress of the month presenting an award with blaring hard rock music in the background and half naked ladies in the background gyrating but nobody's gonna give it a shot anytime soon because it's only looking for that Gamer demographic. There's no faith a nongamer will look at an award show for the things that you mention. ( like recognizable figures in the industry only we recognize.) Unlike movie awards who have movie stars, grammies who have musicians easily recognizable, the gaming scene has none of that for the average joe to look for and the average people buying ad time. Thw Wrights and Jaffes are nothing to the nongamers out there..only us.
Look at the latest of G4 with their "hipness" targeting that younger viewer and before when they were Tech TV with Leo and the gang targeting an older crowd. It's about what can be categorize for the most viewers on TV..and for right now we'll just have to deal with garbage like Spike TV video game awards. Who draw in gamers with a few clips of the popular games, some loud music, manufactured hipness, and really no regard for the craftmanship that really needs to be highligted or awarded.
You are completely but there is one problem, no one in the high spots takes us seriously. They think we are all mindless idiots who want to see those things. One day it will happen once this media grows a little.
Can an award show around the concept of video games be taken to a serious level to the same spectrum as the Academy Awards or Golden Globes? It is possible, not by a longshot but rather a pretty far shot. Unfortunately you have to look at the percentile of video game fans.
Where we stand [as gamers], we're kind of like the person who would play the game like an insightful novel, and look beyond the game and gather insight from the plot development, characters, musical score, the creators of the game, etc. That's alright, it's cool to be observant like that. But when you throw us in the mix with other gamers who look for nothing more but a time killer, a game to play with friends, or just to go online to play and shoot the shit, who can easily ignore plot, characters, musical score, creators of the game, etc., then you know they just look for the nitty gritty: The game and game alone. Since the majority is those who are the said mentioned, they'll gear the situation for them (Rock stars, energy drinks, model presenters, etc.)
Is it an issue that can be resolved and turned professional as apposed to the neanderthal-like ways we treat games? Not as fast as one would think, but eventually it will. Look at it through a popular point of view: Rap became so popular that it is now welcomed in the Grammys. BMX (an eXtreme sport to many) is now an olympic sport. There is a chance.
@Night: I could say the same about movie watchers. They're just there to kill some time and watch something blow up or see some giant 3 ft. large boobs.
I dont know why everyone cares so much. I play video games because they are fun. I dont care who says its an art-form and who doesnt, it wont change the way i play games. If everyone did consider gaming "art", what would change? Art is such an arbitrary category, why does anyone care if it is clasified as art? Ive seen paintings that look like blood splatter be called art. I think everyone should stfu, stop whining about what other people think and just play; who needs these ebert and ropert jokers anyway?
When such award shows get off channels like Spike TV, we'll have a chance of doing it the "Right" way.
G4 would've been fine really if they shaped it up a bit. but they just left the game nominiees and voting it to the already kiddy forums they have. It's always bothersome to hear the same ole mainstream games getting awards when things like Persona 3, as underrated and underradar it is, deserved alot more praise. Especially for the mini artbook and half the soundtrack with the game for 50 bucks? Most companies these days would want at least 10 maybe 20 extra bucks for extra content like so.
Even though the spike VGA seemed much better than the past 2 duds of mainstream trash, I still don't plan on watching it until they get some actual official stuff in the show. I know gamers like girls but there's girls out there too who play games. Most of the guys get tired of the "sexy girl bit" being thrown in. (sure it's nice to look at but that shit's getting overdone too much now.)
I really don't see this changing at all anytime soon but I really just wonder if someone will ever unstupifiy themselves to realize that shit aint workin.
saysay: If there was more credence given to videogames as art, it would allow for more expressionistic pieces to be made. Games that are more unique and quirky, for sure.
Having read the article: Despite performances by Foo Fighters, I refuse to watch the Spike VGAs for all the reasons you mentioned. I avoid the MTV VMAs as well. I don't want to be marketed to and see whatever singer is currently popular, I want a fucking award show with dignity.
QFT! Any MTV (or MTV-style) awards show is a sham that is designed solely to market to the 13–34 demographic (teens certainly count for MTV).
Following Wedge, I just looked up the AIAS (Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences), an organization which, if nothing else, has a name that qualifies it for a televised awards show just like the Emmys, Grammys, or Oscars:
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscars)
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys)
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys)
DMV is certainly right about the AIAS keeping to themselves — I literally had not heard of them until I Googled “AIAS”, and even then, the first two results were for the American Institute of Architecture Students. You would think they’d be at the forefront of the promotion of video games as a legitimate art form, and that their awards would be more prominent — one of the three bullets of their mission statement is about conducting an awards show. I mean, their About the Awards page claims that their Interactive Achievement Awards are “the most credible, respected and recognized awards for interactive entertainment software,” and I could agree with the first two adjectives, but certainly not “recognized”. This organization seems like it’d be perfect for a televised (but classy) video game awards show — hell, for those of you who want entertainment, Jay Mohr hosted the 10th Annual IAAs last February (apparently, they do the awards during the D.I.C.E. Summit each year). Someone needs to put this on G4, at least.
Game developers need to get unionised. If the medium is going to get the respect it deserves, developers need to have some means of standing up against the publishers, rather than having to succumb to every greedhead whim of those deviant scumsuckers. If unions are formed, it would make such an award ceremony more viable, as it would be easier to give people the credit they're due, as well as having a legitimate peer base to judge who and what are most deserving of recognition. Maybe the AIAS awards fill this vacuum, but they just don't have the recognition and support to be fully credible.
Awesome writeup DMV. I was thinking the same things while watching those damn awards. It would be really great to see these things happen but I really doubt it will. Maybe G4 could manage to do it right but I don't think they plan on trying.
I never gave a damn what people think about video games and gamers. Let them think what they will. It won't stop me from enjoying Devil May Cry IV or Final Fantasy XIII.
Sadly all mass media is target to the least common denominator (ie, Joe Stupid) and therefore Television is probably not the ideal medium to present video games as art.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
10:39 PM on 01.06.2008
| 
I noticed the AIAS stuff, Wedge, but I really don't know much about them. If they keep themselves tight-lipped, then that's a bad sign. Also, the Oscars are classy(er) than most every other awards show, and they're on TV. I don't think its outside the realm of possibility.
Look at the latest of G4 with their "hipness" targeting that younger viewer and before when they were Tech TV with Leo and the gang targeting an older crowd. It's about what can be categorize for the most viewers on TV..and for right now we'll just have to deal with garbage like Spike TV video game awards. Who draw in gamers with a few clips of the popular games, some loud music, manufactured hipness, and really no regard for the craftmanship that really needs to be highligted or awarded.
Where we stand [as gamers], we're kind of like the person who would play the game like an insightful novel, and look beyond the game and gather insight from the plot development, characters, musical score, the creators of the game, etc. That's alright, it's cool to be observant like that. But when you throw us in the mix with other gamers who look for nothing more but a time killer, a game to play with friends, or just to go online to play and shoot the shit, who can easily ignore plot, characters, musical score, creators of the game, etc., then you know they just look for the nitty gritty: The game and game alone. Since the majority is those who are the said mentioned, they'll gear the situation for them (Rock stars, energy drinks, model presenters, etc.)
Is it an issue that can be resolved and turned professional as apposed to the neanderthal-like ways we treat games? Not as fast as one would think, but eventually it will. Look at it through a popular point of view: Rap became so popular that it is now welcomed in the Grammys. BMX (an eXtreme sport to many) is now an olympic sport. There is a chance.
It doesn't help that some of the highest selling games is crap like Madden and Guitar hero, hardly games I would consider art.
G4 would've been fine really if they shaped it up a bit. but they just left the game nominiees and voting it to the already kiddy forums they have. It's always bothersome to hear the same ole mainstream games getting awards when things like Persona 3, as underrated and underradar it is, deserved alot more praise. Especially for the mini artbook and half the soundtrack with the game for 50 bucks? Most companies these days would want at least 10 maybe 20 extra bucks for extra content like so.
Even though the spike VGA seemed much better than the past 2 duds of mainstream trash, I still don't plan on watching it until they get some actual official stuff in the show. I know gamers like girls but there's girls out there too who play games. Most of the guys get tired of the "sexy girl bit" being thrown in. (sure it's nice to look at but that shit's getting overdone too much now.)
I really don't see this changing at all anytime soon but I really just wonder if someone will ever unstupifiy themselves to realize that shit aint workin.
The host and guest speakers tried too hard be cool and funny. They were just annoying.
As for the awards ? Well, it was clear that the show was rigged in Xbox 360's favor.
QFT! Any MTV (or MTV-style) awards show is a sham that is designed solely to market to the 13–34 demographic (teens certainly count for MTV).
Following Wedge, I just looked up the AIAS (Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences), an organization which, if nothing else, has a name that qualifies it for a televised awards show just like the Emmys, Grammys, or Oscars:
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscars)
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys)
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys)
DMV is certainly right about the AIAS keeping to themselves — I literally had not heard of them until I Googled “AIAS”, and even then, the first two results were for the American Institute of Architecture Students. You would think they’d be at the forefront of the promotion of video games as a legitimate art form, and that their awards would be more prominent — one of the three bullets of their mission statement is about conducting an awards show. I mean, their About the Awards page claims that their Interactive Achievement Awards are “the most credible, respected and recognized awards for interactive entertainment software,” and I could agree with the first two adjectives, but certainly not “recognized”. This organization seems like it’d be perfect for a televised (but classy) video game awards show — hell, for those of you who want entertainment, Jay Mohr hosted the 10th Annual IAAs last February (apparently, they do the awards during the D.I.C.E. Summit each year). Someone needs to put this on G4, at least.
I've got to agree, I never saw that awards show and it felt tacky and over done. We need classy!