4. Leaning On Filmmaking
On one hand, I can't fault the game industry for relying on movies. They are our most popular entertainment form in the modern day and have a vast history to mine for ideas. It gave a teething industry something to lean on and reference in order to build its own language. Although, we have to begin to realise that we now have our own systems and references to make, so now it is time for the medium to start referencing its own language. The Uncharted series was an experiment that showed us what it meant to be a 'cinematic game'. It was spectacular and riveting but I think we have begun to push the ceiling of the genre. Games need to stop referencing techniques of filmmakers and start referencing themselves. This is exactly what film has grown to do over time. Film is now a language that contunally grows and references past techniques (a concept Quentin Tarentino modelled his whole career on). I am not saying we shouldn't keep referencing films and finding information from the other art forms; what I am saying is that gaming just needs to stop relying on it. I will confess, it is certainly becoming better at this, especially with the inventive and healthy indie games market, but too often with AAA games, Portal is the exception and Uncharted is the trend.
Patrick Dane
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Patrick Dane is someone who spends too much of his time looking at screens. Usually can be seen pretending he works as a film and game blogger, short film director, PA, 1st AD and scriptwriter. Known to frequent London screening rooms, expensive hotels, couches, Costa coffee and his bedroom. If found, could you please return to the internet.
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