Street Fighter IV drawing is most valuable game art ever created

UK artist Dave White has produced the most valuable piece of game art ever created to celebrate Street Fighter IV's launch, Capcom said today.

The one-off ink drawing of Ryu has an estimated value of between $8,800 and $12,650, is 5ft x 3ft an was inspired by the artist's love of the game.

"For the past 18 years I have been playing Street Fighter in all its guises and versions,” says White. “For me and millions of others it's more than just a videogame, it's a total obsession and way of life.

"Something more akin to the complex structure of chess, every match is different and every second offers chances and possibilities, risks and drama. That's why I play."

Full press release below.

Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of videogames, announced today that renowned UK artist Dave White, whose previous work includes commissions for Nike and Coca Cola, has produced a one-off ink drawing to celebrate the launch of Street Fighter IV that has an estimated value of between £7,000 and £10,000.

Measuring 5ft x 4ft, Dave White’s huge rendition of Ryu (the main character in the Street Fighter series) was inspired by Dave’s love for Street Fighter and videogaming culture in general.

"For the past 18 years I have been playing Street Fighter in all its guises and versions,” says Dave White. “For me and millions of others it's more than just a videogame, it's a total obsession and way of life. Something more akin to the complex structure of chess, every match is different and every second offers chances and possibilities, risks and drama. That's why I play."

Dave White’s work has won him the respect of his peers and critics alike, with the UK press saying the following about him –

• The Daily Telegraph
“One of Britain's most feted up-and-coming painters”
• Arena Magazine
“A style of painting that has always been dynamic, explosive and unique to him.”
• The Guardian by Robert Clark
“ White’s sheer joy in the ways in which images are bred by playing around with the rich colourful messiness of oil paint is infectious”.

Street Fighter IV brings the legendary fighting series back to its roots by taking the beloved fighting moves and techniques of the original Street Fighter™ II and infusing them with Capcom’s latest advancements in next generation technology to create a truly extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts.

Street Fighter IV is out now on PS3 and Xbox 360. For more information about the game, please contact Leo Tan (leo.tan@capcomeuro.com). For more information about Dave White, please head to www.davewhiteart.com