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MCV 16/10/09 23
MCV INTERVIEW CHARLIE BROOKER, GAMESWIPE
Brooker is known for his acerbic appraisals of the latest TV shows – his one-off special Gameswipe sought to show every aspect of gaming, the good and the bad
Some people were commentating that ‘it wasn’t very helpful to show that’ from the point of view of promoting the standing of games. I was hoping it would be entertaining first and foremost, and to explain what games are to people who don’t know them and interesting to those who do. But I wasn’t making an advert. That’s like something saying ‘You should move your company to Wales’ and show pictures of the rolling hills, but ignore things like the drug problem in Cardiff. It’s not my job to say: ‘Hey everyone, all games are brilliant and here’s why you should play them!’ You started your career writing for PC Zone. When it comes to games journalism today are there any writers or publications you keep an eye on? I don’t tend to read reviews in depth. Every so often I’ll get that itch when I’ll wonder what’s come out recently so I’ll check Game Rankings or something like
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The BBC did notice how well Gameswipe went down and they got very good feedback. There’s clearly an audience for games stuff on television. Charlie Brooker
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that and do it quite democratically. I’ll then read the highest scoring review and the lowest one to work out if I’m going to buy it. I’m not that aware of the personalities behind them. Having said that, I like reading Kieron Gillen’s stuff and things like UK:Resistance and Yahtzee on The Escapist. I was about to say there aren’t many personalities around, but clearly there are. However I don’t religiously turn to the same person each time. Likewise, people don’t watch my show Screenwipe to find out what to watch on TV – it’s not a guide on what to watch. Would you do more episodes of Gameswipe if the BBC was interested in it? I doubt I would do a whole series. Because, well… never say never. It’s an interesting one. Could I do a series? I suppose actually I could do a short series. This is all up for discussion. I
can’t say too much, but I was taken aback by the response. Since it went out I’ve spoken to a couple of other people who would be very good for appearing on the show. I know the BBC did notice how well it went down and they got very good feedback. There’s clearly an audience for games stuff on TV. But when that will be I don’t know. I’ll often write about games in my Guardian column. I’ve got a book that has just come out and at the back I’ve chucked in a load of game-related articles. I know that if I were to do a Gameswipe series it would take up a lot of time to produce. And I’ve got all sorts of other things. Though there’s also the question of whether any channel would be willing to put a games show on. I’d certainly be interested in helping to develop such a show, though not necessarily with me in it. I know there are lots of talented people out there who could do a job, other comedians who could front something.