Clive Barker stands by games

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 27th June 2007
Comments (9) Stumble
Clive Barker stands by games

Clive Barker's Jehrico is one of this years most anticipated release among horror FPS fans.

Clive Barker, apart from being one of our favourite authors of gross and creepy literature and the inspiration for one of our very favourite case mods, is also one of the most vocal supporters of games as an artform - giving us another reason to want to shake his hand.

You see, back in 2005, famous grumpy film critic Roger Ebert earned our disdain when he publicly stated that games aren't as good as films or books because they force players to make choices - something which Ebert has decided to vehemently oppose all on his own.

Stylishly late, Clive Barker has come back with his opinion at the Hollywood and Games Summit in L.A. and berates Ebert at the same time. What a guy!

He delivered the blistering remarks during part of a keynote speech about games as art:

"That's bullshit. This is a medium that's barely 2 decades old, and he (Ebert) is saying oh, there's no War And Peace yet — of course there isn't! ...You have to come at it with an open heart... Roger Ebert obviously had a narrow vision of what the medium is, or can be. It seems so high-handed. A lot of very very smart people, here in this room, are working to make these experiences extraordinary.

"...We can debate what art is, we can debate it forever. But if the experience moves you, some way or another, even if it just moves your bowels, I think it's worthy of some serious study... Games mean something to a lot of people... Games aren't about reviewers, they're about players."

Clive Barker is still hard at work writing and designing his new horror title for th Xbox 360, PS3 and PC; Clive Barker's Jericho which looks to be one of the grossest and creepiest games since Clive Barker's Undying a few years back.

Do you like the use of games as an artform, or is it all too arty-farty for you and you just prefer a decent shooter? Let us know what you think in the forums.
Quote Almightyrastus 27th June 2007, 14:18
In all the interviews and things I have seen from Clive Barker the one thing that I have always got the feeling of is that he is very open minded when it comes to new and different ways of expression. He has never insisted that there is only one way of doing something. We need more people like that.
Quote CardJoe 27th June 2007, 14:20
It's cool because it was my girlfriends birthday yesterday and I picked her up two Clive Barker books as a present, one of which was signed. Terrifying stuff too :D

Anyone here ever play Undying? It was a truly fantastic game for the first half and running around the mansion, haunted by Aaron's ghost was utterly fantastic.
Quote Redbeaver 27th June 2007, 14:40
ps: the full interview ( http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=14478 ) is a good read :D

yes i played Undying and it was awesome.... :D
Quote Hells_Bliss 27th June 2007, 16:17
Typo: Clive Barker is still hard at work writing and designing his new horror title for thE Xbox 360, PS3 and PC /typo

lol Clive Barker rules, Hellraiser 3 is one of my favorites, if he can write a story like that for the computer, i'm buying it.
Quote Amon 27th June 2007, 17:05
I'm reading the quotes from this Barker gentleman and I like him already!
Quote completemadness 27th June 2007, 19:23
i don't know if i would claim games are art

But then again, how do you define art ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marriam-Webster
4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced
If you count that as the definition, then yes, i believe games are an art

but i do believe that dismissing it because you can make choices is complete bull, the lack of choice doesn't make it art
Quote pendragon 27th June 2007, 21:20
I may not be interested in Clive's games.. but his opinions on games intrigue me and I would like to subscribe to his newsletter ;)
Quote DXR_13KE 28th June 2007, 13:33
it may be banned if it is very violent or scary....
Quote CardJoe 28th June 2007, 14:24
No, it may be banned if it is very violent and scary whilst encouraging casual sadism without context but with unremmitting bleakness, which is what the BBFC found upsetting about Manhunt 2 and what practically all the press have agreed with.
Log in

You are not logged in, please login with your forum account below. If you don't already have an account please register to start contributing.







Mobile Phones

LG Arena ReviewHTC Magic Review

Compare over 250 mobile phones &
52,000 deals!



Broadband

Mobile Broadband

Compare over 100 broadband & mobile broadband deals online!