Prestige Games

[Mr.White555]

Some people like to compare video games to movies as far their progression.They are both relatively new mediums which have been observable by modern history. For one, am in that camp. Video games seem to be marketed like movies more and more anyways.

Video games have "block buster" releases like movies, but video games don't have "prestige" releases. Whats the deal with that? There are plenty prestigious games, but they are usually under the radar, and are not treated the same way a film distributor would release a prestige picture. I would think there is a market for these types of games if done right, no? Niche games maybe, but what about the mainstream? "Prestige" films are not marketed as niche, they are mainstream for the most part; unless they are an indie film, but that brings up a whole different topic.

So whats your take on why there seems to be an absence of a mainstream prestigious games?

[Ack]

First off, what qualifies as a prestige film versus a regular film? Is it decided by the plot, by the acting, the genre, the setting, or simply by the commercial campaign pushing it? Is it limited to a certain amount of violence or sex appeal, or can it feature them in copious amounts if handled tastefully?

I believe before we can have a definition of a prestige game, we need one of a prestige film, because movies I consider well done and prestigious in their own right may not be considered that by the mainstream.

[Mr.White555]

A prestige picture is what I would quantify as a film trying to win an Oscar.

Here are a few examples of what I would consider a "prestige" movie: True Grit, The Fighter, most of the stuff Gorge Clooney has been putting out(Up in the Air, Syriana,etc), the movies Clint Eastwood has directed recently(Invictus, Gran Torino, Million Dollar Baby), Kate Winslet's movies too.

[dsheinem]

A prestige picture is what I would quantify as a film trying to win an Oscar.

"Trying to win an Oscar" is a fairly derogatory and short-sighted way to define some of the best film making of the past couple of decades...

[Mr.White555]

A prestige picture is what I would quantify as a film trying to win an Oscar.

"Trying to win an Oscar" is a fairly derogatory and short-sighted way to define some of the best film making of the past couple of decades...

Are you telling me that the distributors for those movies are not marketing them as Oscar contenders or after the fact by saying the film was nominated or won an Oscar? Or distributors buy the rights of films for their Oscar potential?

This was intended as a discussion of comparing the marketing from films to video games. As far as I can tell movies are usually marketed in the mainstream as a blockbuster or prestige film. I was inquiring as why there is no equivalent for video games. Maybe it's because the video game industry doesn't have a organization or award with as much prevalence as the Oscars?

[dsheinem]

A prestige picture is what I would quantify as a film trying to win an Oscar.

"Trying to win an Oscar" is a fairly derogatory and short-sighted way to define some of the best film making of the past couple of decades...

Are you telling me that the distributors for those movies are not marketing them as Oscar contenders or after the fact by saying the film was nominated or won an Oscar? Or distributors buy the rights of films for their Oscar potential?

This was intended as a discussion of comparing the marketing from films to video games. As far as I can tell movies are usually marketed in the mainstream as a blockbuster or prestige film. I was inquiring as why there is no equivalent for video games. Maybe it's because the video game industry doesn't have a organization or award with as much prevalence as the Oscars?

Ok, that latter point wasn't at all clear as you started mentioning film makers in that last post (actors, directors, etc.), not studios and marketing campaigns. I've heard many of the best filmmakers say they make art for art's sake, not to win an award...

Games do get marketed based on critical reviews, awards won, etc. I know I have several that even mention on the box that they were a GOTY or won some award at E3, etc. Can you give an example of a specific game that you think should have been marketed the way a specific movie was?

[gnusys]

"Trying to win an Oscar" is a fairly derogatory and short-sighted way to define some of the best film making of the past couple of decades...

I agree. Studio shareholders and Executive Producers would like to make back the cost of the movie in less than a week, rather than winning an award.

To me, a "prestige" film or video game is one which is a critical success. That kind of judgement comes with time. A video game can be tough to find, but if it is crap i.e. not fun to play -- I do not think it deserves the sobriquet of a "prestige" game.

[Hatta]

Aren't there prestige games? Wouldn't Shenmue fit? Or Ico & Shadow of the Colossus? Another World? Psychonauts?

[Mr.White555]

You are right about the game of the year editions but who really cares if ign or gamespot said it was game of the year? Everyone buys those versions because they usually have dlc or some extra features.

What I would consider has potential to be a prestige game would be something LA Noire or Last Guardian. Heavy Rain or Alan Wake could have been marketed as a prestige game. Basically new AAA IP's. Instead of publisher try consistently release AAA titles that are always sequels and marketed as blockbusters. Their new IPs are marketed just the same and usually do modestly or flourish do to word of mouth.

[D.D.D.]

I think this comes down to snooty versus snotty.