A New Level in the Medium

By ian

There has been a lot of discussion in the video game over the past few years about the artistic value of video games. Most game designers and producers consider the video game to be an art form in the same way that film is. Many film critics and artists have argued otherwise. However, things are definitely changing.

One of the games that I believe is solidifying the video game as an art form is Assassin’s Creed. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend that you check it out [Assassin’s Creed trailer]. The animation is absolutely amazing and in many cases the character movement is as realistic as you see in animated movies. The lighting, texturing and cinematography are all way beyond what you see in other games. All of these are even more amazing when you consider that it’s all being rendered at 60 frames per second in real-time whereas a 90 minute 3d movie takes months to render.

Every aspect of the art direction in this game is great too. From the main character’s swagger and movement, to the vast dusty cities, every visual aspect of the game seems to blend into a single cohesive vision. In fact, this is the first time I’ve spent the extra money to get the collector’s edition of a game; mostly to get the concept art book that comes with it.

Overall, this game just brings video games to a whole new level. Even if you’re not a gamer, take a few minutes to check out the trailers. You will be amazed at how good this game looks.