I consider video games one of the greatest artistic expressions ever created, second only to music.
I have never seen an art form so complex, so varied that it can include theater, cinema, books and even music itself.
Let me be clear, not all games are works of art and not all pretend to be, some maintain the original purpose of this media, disinterested entertainment.
In my conception of video games, in my mission, I cannot accept making a video game for pure entertainment, I would not forgive myself.
Even before starting to develop one of my games, before writing the code and creating the models, the idea that that game must have a reason to exist, that it must leave something, is rooted in me.
In the 5th century BC people from all over Greece flocked to Athens to watch tragedies; according to Aristotle, the purpose of these theatrical dramas was catharsis, purification from the strong and intense passions that they transmitted to the spectators.
I want people to experience a modern catharsis through my games, my stories, and that’s why the structure of my works is very similar to that of tragedies.
Here are some of the essential elements of my games:
- Subdivision of the story into 5 acts + prologue
- The transition between one act and another is made up of an orchestral choir that comments on the story or by the psychological introspection of a character through his soliloquy
- Alternation between gameplay phases and cinematic parts
- A gameplay that is functional to the story and not vice versa
- Presence of one or maximum two main characters (often marked by a dualism) and all the other characters, although well detailed, have little influence on the plot
- Prevalence of classical and orchestral music
- Always maintain a solemn and epic tone
- A continuous and intense psychological introspection
Before being stories, mine are examinations of conscience.
This is why I define my games as psychological dramas.