Warren Spector Talks Gaming

The current issue (264) of CGW magazine features an interview with Warren Spector, who was the associate producer of the original Wing Commander game. Since then Warren has become a highly influential figure in gaming, having been involved with producing games for Electronic Arts and Ion Storm. He has outspoken opinions about where the gaming industry is headed and tries to initiate some of the more creative development projects. Last year he moved on to establish his own game studio, Junction Point Studios, which is now working on producing an announced game based around Valve's Source engine.

CGW: Roger Ebert recently held a debate about the much-reviled "games as art" issue, but included no acknowledged speecialists like Henry Jenkins. Does it damage the "cause" when prominent media personalities have these kinds of "disconnected" debates?

WS: Roger Ebert has no impact whatsoever on the future of gaming... The fact is, almost everyone under the age of 30 grew up with games (and a lot of us over the age of 30!), and there's no sign that gamers stop being gamers as they get older... We do need to create a wider variety of game types and offer a wider range of content, but games are here to say. Universities are starting to recognize our cultural significance. Parents are playing with their kids. It's only a matter of time before the President's a PlayStation owner. We're an art form. We've won. Get over it, Roger.