Warren Spector thinks biggest next-gen challenges are creative, not technical

Industry luminary Warren Spector--developer of Deus Ex and, more recently, the upcoming Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two--has weighed in on all of the next-gen console hype and speculation that's been floating around. It appears that Spector views video game technology much like any artist would view his paint, canvass, and brush. Simply having better tools doesn't necessarily make what's produced with those tools better by proxy. That's more of a creative problem.

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two

"If it comes, it comes; when it comes, it comes," Spector told Edge magazine about his feelings on next-generation console technology. "I'm not a tech guy, particularly. I'm a design, story, character guy. I think most of the problems we have to solve are creative ones, not technical ones."

Spector, who is currently working on the sequel Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two for PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii, realizes that the creative and technical aspects of game making are inexorably linked, however.

"Obviously we make software, so there's always a technical element to what we do," he said, "but I will make games that do whatever I want them to do at the end of the day, and I will use whatever technology [is] available."

The next round of consoles from Microsoft and Sony haven't been officially announced, though rumors of next-gen tech for the next Xbox and PlayStation 4 (thought to be called Orbis), as well as known facts about Nintendo's upcoming Wii U console, are already making the rounds. Spector's position about creative challenges trumping technical ones can certainly be appreciated from an artist's point of view. Ironically, technical improvements--like an overhauled camera system, HD graphics (for most ports), and fully-voiced dialogue--have been some of the most touted features for Epic Mickey 2, so far.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out our preview of Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two for more information about the game provided by Spector, himself.