Available since November 3, “The Art of Quantic Dream”, written by journalist Jean Zeid and published by Mana Books, offers an exciting behind-the-scenes look at an independent studio born in 1997, which has been able to trace a fairly unique.
Often, if not always, the revolution that is taking place in the gaming industry is measured by the yardstick of technological advances and prowess, in the era of “Next Gen” consoles and sometimes the gratuitous one-upmanship of productions .
Founder of Quantic Dream in 1997, an independent studio for the creation of video games, the French Game Director David Cage posed for him, and for a long time, this revolution in other terms. And if it was done by exploring new modes of narration? A personality that is both endearing and divisive, both among players and within the profession, David Cage has always wanted “creating meaningful experiences”in which the quest for emotions remains the cornerstone of his works.
“Creating a video game by addressing real themes, not based on entertainment, is difficult. You have to convince, evangelize” he told us, when we met him at length at the time of the release of the studio’s latest title, Detroit: Become Human, in 2018. Adding: “The interactive experience is not necessarily something playful in the sense of amusement. It is a means of expression, just like literature, TV or cinema”.
Quantic Dream
Singular studio that Quantic Dream, creator of its own genre, theinteractive drama. At its launch, it obviously does not yet know that it will give birth to this innovative genre, supported by cutting-edge technology, which will mark the history of video games. No continuation also in its titles developed with the long course; always original creations. A luxury, too, in a video game industry regularly tormented by the idea of rinsing successful franchises and an absence of risk-taking in productions labeled “AAA”.
From the first significant experience The Nomad Soulwhich will see a great new collaboration with David Bowie, at the already highly anticipated star wars eclipsethe first game by Quantic Dream which will not be based on an original idea but on a pre-existing universe, including Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls and of course Detroit: Become Human25 years of the life of a studio whose very existence has faltered several times, which are swept away in an exciting way in the book The Art of Quantic Dream.
Written by journalist Jean Zeid and published by the young publishing house Mana Books (born in 2017) but already large with its catalog specializing in Pop culture, this 280-page book is logically embellished with numerous preparatory drawings never revealed and Splendid illustrations laid down on high quality paper.
Divided into 5 copious chapters (the 5th being devoted to star wars eclipse), like so many turning points and key moments in the life of the studio, The Art of Quantic Dream sheds welcome light behind the scenes of the studio, abundantly nourished by interviews conducted by Jean Zeid with its members, former or not. Starting of course with the thinking head of the studio.
We also welcome the good idea of offering readers the extension of this immersion in video, by allowing them to scan QR codes with their smartphone which give access to trailers, making-of and short films produced by Quantic Dream. A beautiful book therefore, to afford or to offer, especially if you start your list to Santa Claus.
The Art of Quantic Dream
280 pages / 252x253mm
39,90€
The site of the publisher Mana Books