Video games aren't art!

[Captain Stelevein]

You know what, I'm glad video games aren't art.If art is some vague sort of medium that can, on one hand, be subjective (people saying that 'anything can be art'), and on the same hand, dismiss certain mediums (video games), then f*** it.

If you enjoy whatever the hell 'art' is, by all means, keep it up. Paintings are nice, certain old movies are nice, and books can be fine. I'm not exactly in love with all of those categories, but I've had enjoyed them thoroughly, at times. But when 'art' becomes this big circle jerk of 'deep' ideas, it starts to get frustrating. Honestly, if video games aren't art, then thank f***ing God, because I'd rather have a good time with something than be a pretentious cunt about it (I'm looking at you, Ebert).

[Akiyamasan]

The discussion is about whether or not one would consider video games to be an artistic medium? I suppose the discussion that something that is meant purely for entertainment value rather than philosophical understanding or appreciation can be classified as not artistic. But take into consideration that the drawing and animating that goes into designing video games would be considered art if they were not associated with video games.

It is my belief that video games are a form of art, as the people who make them put in just as much effort to animate a scene in a game as a director who animates a scene in a film. Who are we to claim something like this is not art?



But this young man is considered an artist?



Roger Ebert is a pretentious asshole, I agree. He makes his career off being a critic, which is something that I honestly believe shouldn't be a career, but rather a way of life. Appreciation for most mediums of entertainment or facets of artwork is generally along the lines of whatever the most popular critics are saying, but since there are hardly any big name critics that actively play video games you know? It's hard to argue with someone like Roger Ebert whenever he decides to critique films, as there are hardly any people in the field that have his level of experience in the field. Not to toot his horn, but he somewhat can afford to be smug, as his critiques have generally been proven to be not without merit.

Of course, as art is as you said a subjective medium, and not everybody will appreciate video games, it is going to be quite a long time before the world will earnestly consider them to be an acceptable art form. But to me? To create an interactive experience in a whole new world, with new and interesting characters to interact with is more art than the latest Pop Song or surrealist painting. And I suppose that's all that matters in the end.