Do you see games as pieces of art? *potential spoilers*

[snyps]

JWeinCom said:

snyps said:

And yet I have equated them. The person who cheeses his way through Mortal Kombat to have nothing but flawless victories, exploits bugs to make 3 heads come off with one punch, and can speed run to the end in record timing (made up example); they are an artist at exploiting the AI in Mortal Kombat. 

That doesn’t make them the same as Steven Speilberg. Each creator or performer is judged within their sphere. 

A kindergartner can be an artist. 

You said you equated them, then said that a speed runner is not the same as a director and cannot be judged by the same standards. In other words, that they are not equal. They are not even relatively close, as there is nothing similar about the activities beyond that they both require skill. 

That's why it does not make sense. Even if you had the sincerest admiration for MK speedrunners, I am positive you would never answer the question "Who is your favorite artist" by saying "l2eeve the guy with the Mortal Kombat speedrun world record", because you understand, hopefully, that is not (virtually) what anyone else means by the term. You can use words idiosyncratically if you want, but it doesn't accomplish any purpose aside from frustrating communication. For the purposes of this conversation, I'm only interested in the definition that would apply to Steven Speilberg. I have no doubt that video games require skill. 

They are equal in that they all fit into the definition and etymology of the word art. https://www.etymonline.com/word/art 

Yes, you are correct, it must require skill; also imagination and elicit admiration. 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.