Roger Ebert didn’t think much of games, as the film critic famously declared in 2010 that “video games can never be art.” At the time, the gaming world seemed to rise up with one voice to contradict the Pulitzer-winning critic, so much so that he eventually conceded he shouldn’t have ignorantly opened his mouth on the subject (even if he never actually recanted the statement).
But with Ebert’s passing last week, dying at the age of 70 after a decade-long battle with cancer, there was no shortage of admiration, respect, and mourning among gaming circles. Developers, journalists, and gamers alike flooded Twitter with condolences and reflections on Ebert’s legacy and contributions. Among the gaming luminaries paying tribute were Warren Spector, Ray Muzyka, and Harvey Smith.
“Games desperately needs its Roger Ebert,” remarked Ron Gilbert. “Until it does, it will never truly be an art form.”
David Jaffe also weighed in, saying, “The world has lost such a smart, articulate voice about all sorts of things (yes, even his stance on games). I’ll miss you Ebert-thank you!”
Just two days before his death, Ebert announced that he was taking a “leave of presence” due to another bout of cancer. While he said he was planning to reduce the number of movies he would review, he laid out plenty of future plans he still intended to realize, including a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to return his TV show “At the Movies” to the air.
“And gamers beware, I am even thinking about a movie version of a video game or mobile app,” Ebert said. “Once completed, you can engage me in debate on whether you think it is art.”
Ebert is survived by his wife Chaz, stepchildren Sonia and Jay, and grandchildren Raven, Emil, Mark, and Joseph.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times {link no longer active}
