This just in from Capcom. Renowned UK artist, Dave White, has just created what is claimed to be the most valuable piece of original videogame art ever, all in celebration of Street Fighter IV's launch. Wow, really?

After all, isn’t it a bit, y’know, early in the history of videogame art to be making such a boast? Also has anybody actually checked that the claim is true, or is this just another case of hopeful PR blather? And surely it’s only the most valuable when somebody pays a suitably extravagant amount of money for it? As far as we know the piece remains unsold.

For all that, though, White’s painterly and pleasingly dynamic portrait of Ryu is certainly easy on the eye, and it’s a substantial beast too at 5x 4ft - the very size to cover the bare patch on the loo wall. Furthermore, it appears to be a labour of real love, as White reveals:

"For the past 18 years I have been playing Street Fighter in all its guises and versions. 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." he says.

Well, quite. But whether White’s semi-philosophical ramblings help to attract a buyer at the estimated price of £7,000 to £10,000 remains to be seen. Interested…?