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August 10, 2004
HaloWOOD
Is it just me, or does every celebrity love Halo? Comic/actor/model Aisha Tyler certainly seems to promote the fact that <a href="http://www.cliffyb.com/gallery/Test/meandaisha">she's got some mad Halo skilz</a>...
So ya, I watched G4's <a href="http://www.g4techtv.com/g-phoria/">G-Phoria Awards</a>. As young-male entertainment I'd say it was pretty compelling. From an industry awards point of view, it was horrendously embarrassing.
We've all heard how <a href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.08/lostboys.html">TV viewing is dwindling among young males</a>, a key marketing demographic. And, more and more, <a href="http://www.thehollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/tech_reporter.jsp">networks are creating content</a> to specifically to appeal to this demographic - in many cases, to great effect. As a marketing tool and means to reach that audience, I'd say that G-Phoria (and other "awards" shows like the SpikeTV Game Awards) was a smashing success. I'm sure Microsoft is especially pleased as nearly every celebrity that was interviewed on the red carpet was like, "Hey man, do you know where the Halo2 game pods are? That's the only reason I came." Seriously, the stars were there to play Halo2.
On an industry level, G-Phoria <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/doom3/news_6103870.html">is a joke</a>. There were only two developers to hit the stage. One was Hideo Kojima, who was there to receive a the game legend award. The other was the lead "encoder" from EA who got booed off stage and nailed with footballs from audience (ya, it was a joke). Other than that, doe-eyed CliffyB was doing some backstage action to intro the various game of the year nominees.
It wasn't until the post-ceremony behind-the-scenes show that they actually talked to developers and interviewed other industry folks.
Obviously, I am <a href="http://www.igda.org/awards/">biased</a>, but it is just embarrassing that they have to rely on a <a href="http://www.mjmorningshow.com/cc-common/feeds/view.php?feed_id=263&feed=/mainfeed.html&instance=1&article_id=5880">bumbling Anna Nicole</a> to convince themselves that they've got something entertaining. I forget who said it, but one of the invited celebs noted "I love games, the developers are my rockstars".
Hmm, I think that celeb is on to something...
Posted by della at August 10, 2004 10:58 AM
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Comments
One interesting/disturbing thing was the the award for "Hottest Game Character" was given to a character with whom it would be illegal to engage in sexual activities in many states. That being the 17-year-old Rikku from FFX-2. This is what the general public sees and assumes the industry is about.
Posted by: Ken at August 10, 2004 04:51 PM
While the show left a lot to be desired, it was LEAPS and BOUNDS better than last years show. And the less said about the SpikeTV awards show the better.
Posted by: Bryan-Mitchell Young at August 10, 2004 10:21 PM