Mike McCarthy talks to Into the Pixel about Being a Games Artist

[Albion Knight]

Mike McCarthy recently talked with Into the Pixel about Art in Fable 2

“It’s common for people outside of the digital industry to be completely unaware of what exactly a games artist does,” says the concept artist who has worked on Black and White 2, The Movies: Stunts and Effects and Fable 2 since he joined the UK developer (also part of Microsoft Game Studios) three and a half years ago. “Ironically, I think people are under the impression that the computer does it all. The average reaction I get when I talk to people about being a games artist is, ‘Oh, do you actually have to draw, then?’”

Even some of McCarthy’s family and friends aren’t sure what he does as part of his 9-to-5. “I most commonly get referred to as ‘a computer game designer’ by my family if they’re asked what I do,” he says.

“It’s easy to forget that everything computer generated on a screen has been designed by someone,” McCarthy adds. “Very few people are aware of it, but it’s massively important. The look and feel of the world you are immersed in is very much at the forefront of the experience, even if it’s ultimately the gameplay that decides whether or not it’s enjoyable. I suppose art is one of those things that is only ever noticed when it’s done stunningly well or, unfortunately, when it’s done badly.”

He also added

In the case of “Gravekeeper’s Lab,” the piece “grew out of a character idea that was being talked about for the game,” McCarthy shares. “As is the nature of things, the idea soon morphed into something else entirely, but I found I was left with this dark little image of a strange guy working away by lamplight.

“I worked on it over a few spare hours I had, but really couldn’t seem to finish it satisfactorily,” he adds. That’s when McCarthy saw at the piece from a different perspective. “He seemed to be gaping straight at the viewer, like he had been interrupted, so I put in the window frame and it somehow gave the image a little more cohesion.”

Finally he comments on Games as Art

The age-old question prompts McCarthy to reply with a question of his own. “I think anything that involves creating a finished product which other people enjoy is a kind of artform in its own way, isn’t it?”

Whether or not video games already have reached the level of “art,” however, McCarthy hopes artists, writers and programmers continue to strive for that status. “I hope that the ever improving technology in consoles is used by companies to push the boundaries stylistically, rather than making all games look as close to real life as possible,” he says. “Then you really will see artists used to their full potential, giving each game a very individual look and feel.”

Not a lot of info but there is the "Lab" or "Gravekeeper's Lab" art submission from Fable 2. Makes you think that might be part of the game

Read More Into The Pixel: The Artists Speak

[OldBoy]

Very nice article - and a great piece of artwork that is!

[higher res pic here.]

[§ephiroxa§]

Should upload the high-res picture Old Boy Provided to the gallery

[Dark Drakan]

Quite a dark and gritty style in these new shots, i like it

[Darg]

With the added windowframe, I could actually see it in-game, your character peering in to see this scene. Quite impressive, really. I'm glad to see that the game artists get a bit of recognition as well as the game developer (you know who!) and designers...

[Zquad]

Nice art indeed