| Reasonable said: 1 - I note most saying he's wrong aren't actually posting any arguments that actually give weight to their denial - sorry, but true, and just going 'you're old and wrong' doesn't actually argue anything 2 - most games clearly aren't Art (in the sense of high Art, not a pretty picture) because most games, as Ebert notes, are games, just like Chess or Badminton. As he notes, few are falling over demanding Badminton be seen as Art (and Badminton was sure interactive the last time I checked) 3 - to be Art, whatever the actual definition, their has to be an intent to create Art I believe - for example Kubrick was most certainly aiming to create Art using cinema as the medium whereas (obviously to all I hope) Michael Bay isn't. And by the same token I'm not really sure who, apart from a small number of individuals, are really trying to create Art using videogames as the medium. I'm not buying accidental Art or the artistic creation of a level or a creature design - that's the same as all the cool designs we see in films all the time, and it's just craftsmanship, not Art. But have any so far? None I've played. Although some tell a great tale well and certainly show the ability to deliver a fun game and a good narrative too (although the actual number of games I'm thinking of is tiny compared to the actual number of games out there). Does it matter? Should videogames not be seen as either pure games or the equivalent of a decent Hollywood popcorn movie? Isn't that really where the industry is right now? |
1- It's not really an argument that either side can win, only time and perception due to the subjective nature of the topic.
2- Those games don't have narrative, acting, artwork (as in the CG kind), or any creativity (except in innovative moves maybe). If games are considered art it's not due to the people that play them (like in Badminton or Chess), but the people that create them. They're the ones trying to acheive something fantastical in the medium. Gamers are just the ones who experience it.
3- There are probably more than you think. Sony especially has pushed for this with devs like Team Ico and Quantum Dream trying to create "arty" type games rather than pure fun games with a narrative. Also, most games require a lot of artists. They themselves would probably feel that the final product should be considered as art.
If you want to experience an "art" game then Shadow of the Colossus is one that comes to mind.
As for the last comment, it doesn't really. Time will tell how games are viewed. I think what video games are acheiving now is new and more innovative ways on invoking emotion through interaction. The "art of interactivity" if you will.
