EA boss on games as art: not a lesser artform to movies, books

Games and movies, will they ever be seen under the same light? For the new Dragonball: Evolution game for the PSP, at least, maybe not. Then again, that’s a different matter altogether… Enter EA CEO John Riccitiello talking about video games as an art form – he thinks that within five years, the game industry may prove every one wrong, that games do have the potential to be considered just as impressive as movies and books.

Compared to researchers (and ace attorneys) always harping about the bad things gaming has to offer, it’s always nice to hear an actual industry insider commenting on the matter. I mean, who better to about gaming than one of today’s gatekeepers in the gaming industry, right?

Enter EA big boss John Riccitiello, speaking in the DICE Summit ’09. In a Q&A session with the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, Riccitiello gave his two cents on where he sees the gaming industry is going. Or, at least, potentially going.

Some of my greatest beliefs regarding gaming are that our art form is today – or certainly has the potential – to be recognized as the peer of the best of Hollywood movies. I want to help others see that. I also believe that there is no inherent conflict between great creativity and achieving strong profitability – I believe they go hand in hand. […] I think everyone today believes games are important. There are still hold-outs that think of games as a lesser artform to movies or novels – we’re going to prove them wrong on this front in the coming 3 to 5 years.

Comparing the similarities and differences between the gaming and movie industry is something we’ve heard before, right from CliffyB himself.

But what are your thoughts? Games and movies, will they ever mix? Will they ever be seen under the same light? For the new Dragonball: Evolution game for the PSP, at least, maybe not. Then again, that’s a different matter altogether…

• CliffyB: visionaries like Kojima, Molyneux are undervalued
• Heavy Rain boss defends mature video games: no worse than 8 o’clock TV
• Video games and the silver screen: focusing on the blurry line

Via AIAS