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| Written by Jack |
So I'm a huge nerd (as most of us are) and an avid gamer/wannabe game designer and in the circles I frequent there is a rather infuriatingly repeated question: Are videogames art? Before I give my opinion, I'd just like to say that the purpose of this post is more to satisfy my own curiosity on what everyone outside of my circle thinks rather than to convert anyone.
I believe, wholeheartedly, that they (read: some) absolutely are the very definition of art. They can be emotionally engaging in both their narrative and their gameplay, the process of making them (and making them good) is a finely tuned creative skill, and, at the most basic level, they be pretty. Others would not agree, including critic Roger Ebert.
Mr. Ebert set the internets aflame a few months ago when he wrote a post entitled "Videogames Can Never Be Art." Ebert has long held this position, but never expounded on it. And even when he did, his argument was reactive and convoluted. He didn't even give his definition of Art (until he recanted his position) and failed to even grasp what meaning a good game could bestow, let alone play one.
So I ask you, dudes and dudettes, do you believe that games are art? And if not, could they be?
Sorry for the late post y'all!
I think that putting in the time to create a video game is most defiantly art. Anytime anyone has skills and a talent for something that they render well then I feel that is art. But some video games are less artful than others such as something like, Mario. I mean, how artistic is mushi and princess peach? As a defense however, someone created an idea for this game in their own imagination which is very artistic. The spungebob game, probably not artistic. I hope that makes my position clear.
ReplyDelete-Kelsey
I do believe video games to be art. To have an entirely imagined world in which you can interact is almost a new form of art in my opinion. Someone or a group of people are still sketching and dreaming of this world and its possibilites. Video games are almost like combining a story with a painting or having a movie in which you yourself are an active character. I would most definitely consider this an art form but would agree that some stand out as better than others as with any art form.
ReplyDelete-Kira
Video games are most definitely art, and in my opinion, can be considered one of the most collaborative art forms out there. It takes an entire team to put together the story, character designs, and animation. In short, it takes artists. I also feel that it's art not only because of the fact that it's a collective of many artists, but because it brings visual and audible stimuli together to create an aesthetic piece.
ReplyDelete-Jonathan
This is something I've been conflicted about for a long time. Short answer: yes, videogames are art. Anything with the intention of triggering an emotional reaction is art. Ergo, videogames are art. But how art can you get? There's a long way to go before they achieve their full potential and come into their own. Games like Shadow of the Colossus and Metroid Prime are steps in the right direction, allowing for near-total immersion unhindered by cinema-based narratives we're used to. This allows for a deeper, more intimate connection to your character and world resulting in a greater emotional reaction and thus, great art.
ReplyDeleteYep.
Just as anything else, some video games could be considered art while others are considered purely product. Most are somewhere in between. Most modern video games, from my experience, focus greatly on user experience. This works like a science that acts like an art. I believe forming that experience comes from a very artistic place and works best when a creative mind guides the user though the game.
ReplyDeleteAgain it all depends on your personal definition of art. It is all based on intention and perception, but overall it doesn't really matter. If you want it to be art, think of it as art. Otherwise just enjoy your game, that is what really matters.
-PRESS START-
I believe that video games are art. An example:
ReplyDeleteLimbo: The visual design is simple, the color scheme is bleak (black, white, and gray), the character speaks of innocence, and the images surrounding his are jarring. The element of visual design alone evokes emotion from the player: A feeling of loneliness, confusion, and a sadness that depresses the player as much as it creeps them out. Add to this, the element of sound: Beautiful sound. Each sound effect is crisp, unnerving, and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game. The sound does wonders for the environment, bringing you into a world you don't understand with sounds that amplify your sense of worry and literally affects YOUR mood. The story and character elements are there too: You're a young boy waking up in a dark, gloomy, and unfamiliar world. You move forward, because you do not know what else to do. There is no back story, there is no thematic motivation, but as a player, you want to know what happens next (for you and for this character.)
Limbo installs a feeling of uneasiness and wonder into every player that picks up a controller. There are visual, audio, and story elements that have been crafted by artists to tell this story in the best possible way and evoke emotions and moods from the player. Those are all different aspects of art, thrown into one medium. Yeah, I consider video games to be art.
- Zach Pint
ReplyDeletePeople need to recognize that art can be interactive and that most importantly it can be FUN! There is so much work that goes into making video games these day that it is a complete insult to have it cast aside as anything less than art. I myself have a PS3 that my boyfriend and I love to play our favorite game to play together being Little Big Planet. If you're not familiar with this game, you should be! It is unlike most video games as it uses digital puppetry and gives users the option to create their own levels- adding to the world of the little big planet. Throughout the game you will collect different building items so that when you are finished you can then start to build your own levels and characters if you so wish to. Right now, there are over 2MILLION levels made from a game that offered 50 levels to begin with!
ReplyDeleteLittle Big Planet 2 is coming out soon and I am so excited for it, watch this trailer for the game and you'll see why. Just try and say that this isn't art, you can not:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy_a3oCDzRA
-Anastasia
I'm not an expert in any form of the word in the world of video games. I've probably played 10 times in my life. What I can say is that there are many games that I have seen friends of family play that are visually stunning and unbelievably creative. I understand how many hours of meticulous work goes into creating video games and the people that design and execute them should certainly be commended. I would have to say I would consider the ones that have a strong intent to in fact be visually striking and take the viewer to a place, visually, that they have never seen. I think the skill level and patience level of these designers is definitely the art of it all.
ReplyDelete-Regina