Game Critics Awards Gives Casual Game “Rock Band” Top Honor

Authored by Scott Goldberg on August 1, 2007 - 1:48pm.

A central topic at DMW’s Games & Mobile Forum in May was the definition of a “game” and how that definition has changed. No more evident is that change than with today’s announcement that Rock Band, a game mirroring the Guitar Hero series and produced by MTV and EA, was awarded Best of Show for last month’s E3. Most importantly, it beat four conventional action titles for the award, Bioshock, Call of Duty 4, Mass Effect, and Fallout 3. The award is just the latest sign that consumers and critics are increasingly leaning toward the fun, easily accessible games as opposed to the massive epics. The name traditionally given to such games is “casual,” though industry observers, including many speakers at the Games & Mobile Forum, believe no categorization is necessary. There are only games. Nothing more, nothing less.

The traditional definition of a “casual game” is one that can be learned quickly, played quickly, has basic graphics, and has appeal across both genders and all ages. And traditionally such games have been viewed as the step child to the large, visually brilliant epics like Halo and Call of Duty.

But awarding Rock Band the Best of Show honor demonstrates how the gaming landscape has changed. Indeed it’s true, though some may hate to hear it: Rock Band is a casual game. Look for more games like it from all developers this Christmas.

Scott Goldberg