Best Art Direction - translation?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interpretation of the "Best Art Direction" award won by the game Return of the Obra Dinn at The Game Awards 2018. Participants debated whether the award recognizes the artistic trends and styles used in the game or the contributions of the individual responsible for artistic decisions. The distinction between "direction" as a noun and verb is crucial, highlighting the difference between artistic vision and execution. Ultimately, the consensus suggests that the award should honor the art director rather than the director of the game.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of game design terminology, particularly "art direction."
  • Familiarity with The Game Awards and its categories.
  • Knowledge of the game Return of the Obra Dinn and its artistic style.
  • Basic concepts of film production roles, specifically the difference between director and art director.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of an art director in video game development.
  • Explore the impact of art direction on player experience in games.
  • Investigate the criteria for awards in the gaming industry, particularly The Game Awards.
  • Analyze the artistic trends in games released in 2018, focusing on Return of the Obra Dinn.
USEFUL FOR

Game developers, art directors, film enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of art and gaming awards.

Borek
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So it all starts with the fact that the game Return of the Obra Dinn (I love it, just in case you wonder) won Best Art Direction during The Game Awards 2018. We discussed it here with a friend of mine and turned out we understood the name of the category differently.

In Polish direction and director are two different words. Direction translates to "kierunek" as in a "property of a vector" (or in general direction of a motion, be it physical motion, artistic or economical trend and so on), director translates to "reżyser", as in "someone who leads the team of the filmmakers and controls the artistic side of the movie" (in Poland producer was more of a person involved in organization and logistics than in artistic decisions, these were reserved for the director).*

So, is the "Best Art Direction" a prize for the artistic trends set/used/created in the game, or for the work done by whoever was responsible for making the artistic decisions?

Perhaps it boils down to direction as a noun vs direction as a verb.

Screenshot just to show you how the the game looks like, it is kind of a criminal puzzle revolving around a fate of the crew of the brig Obra Dinn.

ObraDinn 2018-11-22 22-53-53-49.png

*This is a bit simplified, but I am leaving nuances aside.
 

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Some, say movies, are visually stimulating, stunning in the settings and scenes, appropriate music, etc... that everything seems to all fall in place perfectly.
Best Art Direction would be the award given for the movie and director who put it all together better than anyone else did that year.
 
As a devoted movie and movie quality series fan I'm struck by two trends in commercial films. The number of production companies and executive producers and the length of on screen credits. Do we need to know the name of the assistant to the animal wangler? The drivers for the food caterers?
 
[QUOTE="256bits, post: 6101108, member: 328943"
Best Art Direction would be the award given for the movie and director who put it all together better than anyone else did that year.[/QUOTE]

Presumably the award for best art direction should be won by the best art director?
The director will certainly be important for the"look", but art direction is a separate line from directing the movie itself.
Similar to how awards for cinematography would be won by the cinematographer (not the director)
.
 
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