Article on Cliff in the New Yorker

posted by papi blez

Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 07:18:21 PM EST

I figured hot on the heels of the Gearheads' Cliff podcast, you guys might want to check out this extremely long look at Cliff and his views.

I found the piece to be fairly accurate in capturing my bro and what he's all about, course I would've loudly objected to this:

There is some truth to this stereotype: most game designers are not like CliffyB. But neither, really, is Bleszinski. The nickname, he told me, was bestowed on him by some "jock kid," when he was a small, shy teen-ager, and was meant as a taunt.

Mostly I would object to anyone ever calling Cliff shy.  Yes, he might have been shy with the ladies, but I can't count the number of times I had to fight other, older, much larger kids because my brother was mouthing off to them (often while playing ice or street hockey).  My role was definitely being the heavy as a child.  I bloodied many a kid's nose over Cliff's loud mouth.

This is going to be a bit of a rant, but the article also got me to thinking.  I do find it incredibly fascinating that shows like The Daily Show often bring on movie and TV actors, but don't often bring on game designers or even voice actors when they do parts in games.  I mean The Daily Show runs ads for video games all the time so it's their demographic.  It would be interesting to see someone like Cliff on The Daily Show to talk Gears of War 2.  Course, being that many of us see and hear from Cliff all the time, it's not like those interviews would really do much for us, but I do think that it's high time that late night shows and other television media begin to acknowledge the dramatic impact that this medium is having on our entertainment landscape.  I believe that's when we'll really see gaming cross over into the mainstream and not something just for the nerds amongst us.  I live to see the day when David Letterman, Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart might welcome my brother to the stage.  Not that gaming needs that kind of validation, but it certainly would be damn nice for some of these shows like Conan and The Daily Show to actually interview some folks who are speaking to their demographic, don't you think?

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Tags: cliff bleszinski, gears of war, new yorker (all tags)

Comments Disabled | 8 comments

  •  Great post! (none / 0)

    This post is like icing on the cake for the GearHeads Pod cast interview with Cliff And the 1Up pod cast!

    First of all,, You are Still bloodying the noses of bullies for your little brother.  You have made a website that Is Exactly like what should be Here for Gears of War 2.  There should be More small communities of website like ours, Combat Factory, 2Old2Play, and yes, even Masters Few.

    Guys with a forum and also Actually play together regularly.

    Second,

    You are Dead on about video game personalities being on Major markets such as late night talk shows.  There are going to be close to 10 million people playing Gears 2.  This isn't closet video games, this is the next Art in entertainment.  The Quality has gotten That good, that you have to recognize it as art.  Not just a nerd thing anymore.  People Love this stuff now.

    Self included...

    Nicely done

    "I do not tell lies, but I am a savage".

    by Kenai 91 on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 08:03:58 PM EST

  •  The New Yorker. (none / 0)

    As you say, it shouldn't be a special thing.  These great designers in a multi-billion dollar industry should have a bigger share in the public eye.

    This is great, Tyler.  Printing it up now!

    All that is gold does not glitter.

    by 3Suns on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 08:47:32 PM EST

    •  I am in between classes (none / 0)

      and unfortunately still haven't had the time to finish reading this piece, but what I have read is simply brilliant.

      First, it is SO WONDERFUL to read well-written prose on the topic of gaming.  Second, I am profoundly pleased by the author's presentation of the industry, of Cliff, and of the game, Gears of War.  This is an article I can send to my father, who hates games.  

      Awesome, awesome piece!  Cliff should feel very proud.  Heck, I feel proud just reading the praises Mr. Bissell heaps on Gears of War!  That is right, Mr. Bissell, it really is all that.  Join us for a round or two one night.

      All that is gold does not glitter.

      by 3Suns on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 02:15:32 AM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  The podcast and the interview by EGM/1Up's... (none / 0)

    "Milkman" along with this article in the New Yorker is definitely icing on the cake as Kenai stated in an earlier post.

    I like reading about people that play such an integral part in my hobby.  Cliff is definitely not your run-of-the-mill personality.  A lot of people tend to slam him for being too cocky.  However, if you talk the talk, you gotta walk the walk.  Everything that Cliff's has been involved with thus far definitely allows him to be confident about what his contribution to the games industry.  Thanks for the link to the article, Papi!

    Friends don't let friends two-piece.

    by Blankman on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 09:51:45 PM EST

  •  GREAT READ! (none / 0)

    I'm only on page 3 but loving every word! I'll post my thoughts on the subject matter on the whole a bit later. =)

    Thanks!

    by SweetTea023 on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 10:24:51 PM EST

  •  as much money as this industry generates (none / 0)

    it is surprising that there is no mainstream access other than commercials
    does gaming move the ratings needle?
    does mainstream media consider it childish and not worthy/beneath them?  
    the sheer size of the gaming industry seems monstrous, im not sure of the overhead but these company must be making an enormous profit
    it seems to me that halo 2 generating 125 million in sells day one would be a huge story and worthy of discussion.

    anyone have a prediction on day one sales for gears 2?
    i love the personality cliff exudes, better than some stiff in black frame glasses sweating profusely

    cliff is proud of his work and he should be, no need to apologize for that
    and if people dont like it... (insert the big red joke from talledega nites)

    ...and then it came to pass and rock and roll was born

    by DEGREES OF FREEDOM on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 10:44:47 PM EST

  •  Very cool. (none / 0)

    But my favorite part, alas, concerns, the game:

    "I was simultaneously chainsawed to death by three people, a spectacle that everyone in the room claimed never to have seen before, in all their hours of play."

    AWESOME.

    Saving real lives, taking virtual ones. The circle is COMPLETE.

    by tyrus on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 09:05:26 PM EST

Comments Disabled | 8 comments