An auteur is, in film, a director who maintains complete control over the creative process and infuses a distinct personal style in his or her works. A video game auteur is someone who manages to have games that feel distinctly theirs, with strong narratives, styles, and a loose adherence to typical conventions. They are people who create that certain kind of game you can't find by anyone but them.

There are innovative, culture-defining pioneers, like Sid Meier or Will Wright. There are developers that have built an entire brand around their masterpieces, like Shigeru Miyamoto. But the scope of their resumes is far too broad to label them true auteurs.

mchankwilliams via joystickdivision.com »