May 2, 2008 -
Grand Theft Auto IV developer Rockstar North may be one of the most successful high tech firms in Scotland, but company president Leslie Benzies laments a perceived lack of respect by government officials.As reported by the Times:
Rockstar North is to video games what JK Rowling is to literature but few, particularly in government, are prepared to acknowledge this. It seems odd that politicians committed to “a smart, successful Scotland” haven't come knocking at Benzies's door.
Of the apparent official shunning, Benzies says:
We'd love to help if we have time. But there are a number of agencies which actively seem to cut us out. There is this weird thing where people think Scotland is so innovative, but if you do anything truly innovative, you get beaten down... This is our home. I love Scotland. I like the people...
We've had such a beating over the past three years - by the American government, the British government, the Daily Mail...
Via: CVG
Comments
I'm comparing their popularity and selling. Nothing else.
"While I have great respect and love for Rockstar, I wouldn’t go as far as saying that they are the same to video games as JK Rowling is to literature - especially if I was company president. "
I agree. J. K. Rowling is a hugely overrated hack. She's like the McDonalds of children's fantasy writers.
Hehe, sounds like they're used to this sort of thing.
Gift.
Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, take your pick - The way I read Benzies comments says to me that he feels that there wouldn't be a games industry without them.
That, or basically that they should be treated like gods.
Try reading the article. Benzies didn't say that, it was a comment by the interviewer. With that in mind maybe you should stop putting words in his mouth.
And as to links to Rowling.
Poor, Scottish, unsuccessful nobody, who creates a piece of art that then becomes an essential part of the genre, if no this generations essential entry to that form of media. I'm talking of impact rather than quality here (I like Potter but it's hardly high art)
I don't think it's a question of respect, I suspect Rockstar would be happy simply being ignored by them (though not as rich). The problem is people like Vaz who think they can use Rockstar as a 'leg up' for their own failing careers.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:32 am
In a sense, I’d say Rockstar is closer to being Stephen King or Piers Anthony in that they do push some limits. And they have an audience who isn’t expected to like everything they publish, but still receive a great deal of respect in general.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Yeah defo....
Let's not forget R* also put out State of Emergency, which is far more forgettable than any Harry Potter book.
I should know, I'm Scottish. :D.
Kidding, really. I mean I am Scottish but I prefer not to fight. Odd that.
It doesn't come down to taste. He's comparing the impact of JK on literature to Rockstar on video games. Frankly I think it's apt and a neck and neck tie. I don't care if you don't like Harry Pothead. (I don't.) You have to admit the franchise has made money. Just like GTA.
Yeah - I have to agree with you.
I'd class GTA in with Robert Howard - that's a suitable comparison. After all - Robert Howard pretty much started the fantasy genre - as we know it today, as GTA more or less started the 'free will' type of game. Although others sought to do it, GTA was really polished - almost all other games were far too scripted prior to GTA. While GTA has missions and all, there's no real absolute necessity to do the missions in any specific order or at any specific time. In both cases, they weren't the first to do what they did, but they changed it from a 'cult following' - to a mainstream animal.
I'm not knocking JK Rowling - I'm not a Harry Potter fan, but many people really like the books. Give me a Conan or D&D themed game anyday over Harry Potter - but that is of course, personal taste. But JK Rowling didn't really 'revolutionize' literature - she just wrote some books that many consider to be top-notch.
GTA changed the Video Game landscape significantly - lots of copy cats - I'm not sure Harry Potter significantly changed literature.
I felt that Rowling use of every cliche in the book to be slightly forgivable if it wasn't for the absolutely horrible misuse of foreshadowing.
I hold Piers Anthony, Azimov, even David Eddings (who I think does a great work with characterization, dispite what people complain about repetetive plots) all as great authors. Orson Scott Card wrote on of my favorite books. I'm a big reader and have several book shelves full. I have rarely read such tripe as what Rowling often puts to paper.
To be honest, I haven't played any GTA games. I may not like them.
I realize that my feelings are contrary to the majority, but don't argue with my opinions on these since they are mine alone. I do not seek to discourage you from reading and/or enjoying Rowling or King, I simply don't find it enjoyable myself.
also, R* is not the JK Rowling of game companies. their games aren't for kids and DO NOT INVOLVE WIZARDING SCHOOLS
I mean, hell, how many were thinking andstill think Harry Potter would turn their kid into a devil worshipper and how many think GTA will turn their kid into a cop killing psychopath.
Family Guy. Peter said that about Lois' cooking after he won a game of Trivial Pursuit.
A nicer point to pick up on is that it would be very good if the government encouraged the growth of the games industry in the UK, perhapse with tax incentives
Anyway, my point is this: R* have had a big impact on the games industry popularising free roaming crime drama in video games. (Possibly inventing the genre even, anyone know what was GTA before GTA?) Regardless of what I think of HP, and I don't want to bash it, it's not really had anything like the same impact.
Returning to the subject though, and as I've said already, no attention is probably better than the wrong kind. Given the hysteria over GTA4, R* is doing rather well if they are being ignored by SMPs. ;)
Gift.
Actually the saying goes "No press is bad press." Which is true. Positive or not, the attention GTA IV is getting will drive up sales and stock prices.
Sorry what?
GTA is widely accepted as good, just look at the review scores that GTA:SA got, and is also rated 18+/M.
Harry Potter books widely accepted as not very good literature when it comes down to being compared with other works in literature, also is marketed to kids.
bad comparison is bad.
Fail.
Gift.
ofcourse breaking all records
"sorry to add to my point, this reminds me of a certain music group in the 60’s who claimed they were bigger than Jesus… "
They WERE more popular than Jesus. If not, they certainly sold more records. ;)
Gift.
Now, I'm quite surprised about this, as far as I was aware the government were pretty pleased about the great economic benefits this was brining our country, a government pretty bent on Independence isn't going to succeed unless they do aknolwedge RockStar, seeing as we'd have a nasty depression otherwise.