Emily Newton Dunn May 2004 – Interview

TV Presenter, Broadcaster, Journalist and Gaming Girl Extraordinaire Emily Newton Dunn has kindly given us of her time to answer questions from our members here at Thumb Bandits.

ENJOY!

Emily Newton Dunn – Q&A May 2004

Q: There has been quite a bit of talk lately about the state of video games. The average consumer is buying junk titles based on sequels and licenses, to the detriment of truly great games, ie. Beyond Good & Evil and Prince of Persia. How do you think this will affect the games that developers will choose to focus on? Will we see a future of only Maddens and FIFAs and whatever Comic Book Hero happens to be on the Big Screen? Or will there eventually be a “grass roots” revolution in which artists will reclaim what has been lost to the corporate world?

A: In my view, the video games industry will always suffer from sequel-itis, particularly with sports games – after all there are always new players entering the real arenas and this has to be reflected in the games one too. As for original gaming, well I think we’re on the cusp of some pretty amazing technology and with it should (x fingers) bring some exciting new games. Already games are becoming way more integrated and acceptable pastimes. The old cliche of a gamer being a pasty faced beardy geek is no longer true ( as if it ever was). I think that peripherals like Sony’s Eye Toy, Sing * and X-Box’s music maker are heralding a new age in gaming. Ok so it may not be the hardcore’s fantasy right now but the more people who get involved in games the better because then it can only mean more variety. If the games industry doesn’t spread it’s wings (so to speak) then it will become stale and wither. This ain’t gonna happen – it’s too big of a behemoth for that, too much of a cash cow.

The games industry is afraid to take risks – games cost so much to make and if it flops that’s one hell of a hit to take. But I don’t think that POP or BGoE were flops and I think that you are underestimating the average consumer. If you’re new to games, perhaps you’ll only begin by buying what you’re familiar with, but as games spread their wings (there’s that phrase again) onto other platforms – mobiles, hand-helds, interactive tv etc, people will begin to experience other types of games. Think about tamagotchis – ok so they were annoying little bleepy things but they had the basis of an RPG. look at the online communities that have been built in MMRPGs – i’m sure aleks will have more to say on that point. And finally, games are increasingly being researched for their educational potential. Playing games is a great way of learning basic ideas. The more we play games in everyday life the more amenable we are to them and the more likely we are to seek out new types.

Ok so I’ve massively digressed from your original question. yes, I think that developers will take back the creative process but never in the way that the bedroom programmers did in the eighties – those days are over. The technology is too advanced now. But you only have to go online to play flash/shockwave games to see that there’s a vast amount of creativity and originality out there. that has to pass over to the developers. Microsoft are way ahead of the game here, whilst i think Sony is sitting on its laurels to some extent.
I could on but I think i’d bore you with my rambling…..

Q: Do you feel that gender affects the way we play games? Are there fundamental differences that affect not only what we play, but how we play?
A: I think that games are the greatest levellers, particularly online. You can be any gender, any race or religion, abled bodied or otherwise and if you don’t want people to know any of that info, then they don’t have to. But yes i do think that there is a general difference. i hate to talk in generalities though because there are so many of us that disprove the rule! I think though that the differences in the way women play and choose games are going to be the same differences in the way women lead their lives. I’m not into sports – and I’m not into sports games – unless i’m feeling madly competitive with some annoying bloke! i think that women enjoy the social aspect of gaming – again aleks will tell you more – hence there are so many hooked up to MMRPGs. My thoughts are that women are more intuitive so enjoy those kinds of games more, we like strategy, platforms/action and RPGs but then give me a racing game or beat-em-up and I’m equally happy. Personally, i like games that surprise and delight, that are fluid in motion and intelligent in content. But hey that’s just me.

As for how we play… well – again that comes down to relevance in our lives – just look at the karaoke games and the eye toy. they are instantly more appealing to women because they can see and hear their relevance to their lives. Some bloke going round shooting things is not going to appeal to the mass market of women. On the other hand, for those that it does appeal to – i would imagine that most of us like to explore more rather than just getting to the end of the game. I also think that if games want to appeal to women more then they should be easier to pick up and play (like the sing* etc). Games like True Crime won’t appeal simply because the control system is so crap – i don’t think women can be arsed to spend hours getting into a game and learning the tedious controls. We want our pleasure now! And while we’re happy to work for it if it’s an engaging game, re-learning to walk every time we pick up a game is frankly dull. Accessibility is key to getting a woman gaming.

Q: Do you think that being a female in a male-dominated industry has helped you, hindered you, or not really had any impact at all?
A: I don’t know to be honest. I got Bits because I was a girl but I’ve worked bloody hard to get where I am today (not sure where that is tho!) I’ve always enjoyed a challenge and been competitive with boys. It’s probably a bit of both. It does still annoy me though when the industry gets some pretty dolly bird who hasn’t a clue about games to talk about them just because she’s easy on the eye. I think that the industry still has a way to go in terms of accepting that there’s a hell of a lot of girls out there gaming. We are now effectively the ones who get the jibes because they still refuse to admit that we are seriously interested and great gamers! And more importantly that we are an economic force in the market.

Q: What hooked you into gaming?
A: My brother and being a seriously competitive bitch!

Q: If you could be one videogame character who would it be, and why?
A: Wow – tough question. I guess there’s no one character. If I had a choice I’d be one of my RPG characters that I’d brought up to fight in Phantasy star online. sad but true.

Q: Do you think that gaming going mainstream has had a positive or negative impact on the industry?
A: positive, positive, positive. See first rambling answer.

Q: What are your thoughts on the greater development costs needed to produce even a marginal game, and the impact this has on ‘backyard developers’.
A: It’s shit but right now there’s no way around it. middle ware is great but it’s still really expensive. You need some serious cash behind you to develop a game. Gone are the days of Jordan Mechner and his his bro developing Prince of Persia. the Yaroze (can’t remember if this the right name – playStation’s original development kit) was a great idea but it spawned very little – it did get people jobs in the industry though. i think that the big corporations need to take more risks and open up the platforms more to home developers. But it’s a costly exercise. and if you do have a great idea and are passionate about getting into the games industry now then there are loads of courses that you can go on. It’s tough but true – if you want your idea to be heard, you’ll have to go round the long way. Alternatively try a shockwave demo and send that off to developers – it ain’t gonna happen on your own. boo.

Q: What is your first gaming memory?
A: Probably playing frogger on a BBC. and fighting my brother and his mate for a go.

Q: What do you think will be the next revolution in game design? A truly 3D controller? Greater online capabilities? Player created content?
A: All of the above – we’re on the cusp of some very exciting things.

Q: What are your thoughts on the consoles becoming more PC-like as they ‘mature’.
A: Yah boo sucks to PC games! I’m a console kid – plug ‘n play is what i want! I spend enough time sitting in front of my computer without having to game on it too. Although i am enjoying playing games that were previously only available on PC (I’m a MAC girl anyway) so bring it on I say. there’s still enough console only titles to keep me happy (and smug).

Q: Do you still encounter bias from male gamers despite being established in the industry as a knowledgeable female gamer?
A: Oh yes. pricks.

Q: Can you forsee a day when the gaming industry as a whole, finally recognizes the female gamer as an equal to her male counterpart and not just a plaything to help sell games?
A: Has to be. we are an economic force that can’t be ignored and the clever companies are already doing their best to court us or at least looking into how to do it. It’s weird I’ve been in france recently and thinking about how their systems are set up. Ubisoft is an incredible company that has a number of high powered women in it – running the company and creating the games. i met up with some people from the Gameone channel in France (a dedicated games cable channel – and boy is it good!) recently and they had several girls working for them. It’s going to take a long time though, we need to find our niche (or what they think our niche is) and get more women into the industry. It’s amazing I went to a seminar before Xmas on games and learning and there was a bloke there who point flat refused to believe that women gamed. He was presenting at this seminar an I think in his reality he hadn’t come across any women who gamed so just couldn’t believe it was true. Seriously frustrating – with people like him in the industry it’s going to take a whole lot longer. We need to get more involved and make our voices heard. Websites like this one are great – now go talk to the industry – tell them what YOU want. If we all shout loud enough… or am i just being idealistic?!

Q: What is your favorite game genre? (ex:Fighting,RPG,Sports,etc.)
A: Love ‘em all (except sports)

Q: How important is the ’social’ aspect in games (not just online games – getting your mates around for a bit of console head-to-head, LAN gaming, or just watching over your shoulder and giving suggestions)? How can this social aspect be encouraged through a games design?
A: Totally important! Although having said that I mostly game on my own. Sociability draws in new players. The new peripherals are great for that (i think I’m repeating myself here). I think that the eye toy has massive potential for social gaming beyond sitting in a room and doing it together. I’m very interested in co-op gaming at the moment and think that the eye-toy could give us something new and exciting there.

Q: Who is the most interesting industry person you have met? What were they like?
A: I’ve been lucky and met some truly amazing people. I particularly hold in esteem Warren Spector, Demis hassabis and peter molyneux for their vision. They were so cool I wish they had all been my dad (except for demis – cos that would have been weird). dammit I just realised they’re all PC-heads. dammit dammit dammit.

Q: Seeing as video-gaming has become mainstream big-business making more money than the movie business, why aren’t there more quality TV programs on the TV aimed at the 18-30 age group???
A: Because nobody knows what to do with games on tv. they’re an interactive medium on a passive box. they don’t have the depth of a film so review shows can be dull and you don’t want to watch other people playing games (often badly). Add to that that the TV industry has no interest in gaming or any understanding of it and all they want is celebrity led pieces which are hard to come by. Maybe I should start a new show. Send your ideas here and we’ll make it together! What do you want to watch in gaming? I think there are some very interesting opportunities coming up in the future with game shows on TV but I’m thinking interactive and it’s not big enough yet.

Q: Fav developer / publisher and why?
A: Tough one. i like ubisoft (XIII, POP slobber, slobber) nintendo, sega. That’s too tough a question.

Q: Have you ever worked in video game retail?
A: Nope but I’m considering it!

BITS RELATED QUESTIONS:
(For our non UK members ‘Bits’ was a Television show about gaming on which Emily was one of the presenters)

Q: Who came up with the idea of Bits? Did you and the other presenters take it to a TV studio, or was the idea proposed to them and they accepted?
A: The original producer director Aldo palumbo. He also came up with Vids which was similarly insane about cult video releases.

Q: Was there anything you wanted to include in the show but couldn’t, for whatever reason? If so, why wasn’t it allowed?
A: More rudeness – especially on the T4 series!

Q: If you were offered to present another series of bits would you do it? And would you change anything about the original concept or keep it roughly the same?
A: Bits was really tough and really low budget but it was brilliant. I’d do it again but differently this time – i still think it’s a great concept but I’d probably rip it apart and start again.

Q: What was your favourite feature you did on bits?
A: Tough one – hmmm dunno – sorry. what was yours?

Many thanks to the lovely Emily for her time and effort!
Really Interesting Stuff.

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