What's the true art of video games? Video games as art vs art disguised as a game.

[Twilord]

McGilliguts said:

Twilord said:

 

Defining art is tricky but I've settled on the definition of art as that which communicates concepts via emotionally evocative techniques.

 

Level design can very easily communicate a sense of being overwhelmed, intrigued, desperate, relieved, or anxiety. We have whole tropes dedicated to these, and most players are immensely conditioned. If I give you a room filled with power-restoring items you'll almost certainly become anxious.

That's a good example. I agree that game designers can control the emotional experience of players to a degree with such techniques. But they seem to leave little room for a unique personal expression, which I think is also a vital component of art.

I have to say that I don't completely agree. When designing, as when writing, I can certainly attempt to take my audience by the hand - however in neither case can I truly control what sections of my work their internal disposition gives the most importance. Ofcourse in a literary story I can't force a player to reread a page for it to sink in more, but even with my knowledge of hypnosis and media manipulation I still can't enforce my chosen take-away on them... legally.