VIVA on computergames as "cultural export". VIVA which is probably one of the best tv programs about the Danish culture scene, had a feature on computer games tonight, focusing on the succes of Danish IO Interactive's recently released Freedom Fighters. Head of EA Denmark said the production of games should not be given any kind of state support; because if Danish computergames are good enough in themselves they will in fact attract the attention and money of the producers. Gunnar Wille of the film school said that developers do perhaps need some kind of funding to help produce something with a "Danish spirit" (more Danish than Freedom Fighters at least...).

As is, none of the Dogme movies could have been produced and screened without some financial support from the Danish state. The question remains, whether there will ever be something like a Dogme game? And how much will that cost to produce? And will anyone by it?

I'm still rather curious as to how a game production support scheme would influence the future development of Danish computergames. However, chances are minimal that the current government would be switching to support mode, but nevertheless just debating in public whether computer game production support should be possible at all, who should get the support and what genres should get supported, will probably bring out quite a few interesting assumptions about the value and nature of computergames in the eyes of Politicians, Producers and the People. That VIVA opens the discussion is testimony to the fact that culture shows, even on the tv, can be challenging and hopefully help start discussions on our cultural values and priorities. Go, VIVA!
# posted by Lisbeth at: 23:00