Q's Mizuguchi: The Cross-Media Future Is Real

Author: by Staff

As part of an in-depth new Gamasutra interview, Q Entertainment's Tetsuya Mizuguchi has been discussing his opinion that "breaking and melding" the game industry with other artistic industries is vital to the medium's future. Mizuguchi has been a notable proponent of this theory, working on his Genki Rockets musical project - whose 'Heavenly Star' video can be seen in the Lumines series - and even creating a holographic Al Gore for the recent Live Earth concerts. Therefore, when asked what artists he might draw inspiration on for making upcoming games, Mizuguchi enthusiastically replies: "I don't have any [of those] inspirational paths now, because I'm always watching the other industries and other media. I think in the next five or 10 years, I think the barriers or the hurdles will be breaking and melding, and making some new chemistry within the entertainment industry." He continued, suggesting that all media is becoming more interactive, and that game creators already have some of the most expertise into how to make that enjoyable: "I think interactive media is really difficult to create -- a fun, interactive experience. I think that we have a chance. "We," means us, game developers or creators in this industry, leading the new era, and connecting with the other media." Later in the interview, Mizuguchi discusses the history of the game biz, and how the independent movement may shift things: "Even with the movie industry, they have had a long history, like over 100 years. And the many movies from Hollywood are mass productions, but there are many, many, many independent films, and they're changing the meaning of expression. It's a new challenge." You can now read the full Gamasutra interview with Mizuguchi, in which the designer firstly discusses the creation of Rez HD for Xbox Live Arcade, before discussing the future of games - from his unique perspective - in fascinating detail.