Pikmin provides an easy example of game mechanics being artistic. Its design is themed around resource management and survival, giving the player the same emotional template as the character (once they get into it). Game mechanics enable guided roleplay, I can't conceive of anything more artistic.

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.

bolded: do you mean a unique personal expression from the game designers or the players?
i certainly think that when game play is rich, deep, versatile, fluid, intuitive (ie when the art is executed well..!), it automatically gives the players room for if not personal expression, then atleast personal utilization. depending on which parts of the game play resonating the best with them.

According to the oxford dictionary, art is "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power". By that definition, I'd say all videogames are pretty much art.

I was referring to personal expression by the game designers. The impact of whatever they design is highly dependent on the quality of a game's visual art, writing, and music. Strip these things away and the nuts and bolts left behind dont communicate much. You would have something like Tetris or early arcade games.

I'd argue things like Pikmin have artistic gameplay. However for the most part game design is artistic in the same manner as writing style and light direction - a subject and context are nessecary to manifest its greater potential.

but what is the process of "composing" the game play mechanics if not an expression of the game designers' creativity? it's the core of the interactive experience, without it the whole game would fall apart.
but on the other hand, like you say, the gameplay itself communicates a somewhat limited range of emotions (not that i agree about that being the sole purpose of art). compelling gameplay gives the player perhaps a sense of joy, excitement, fulfillment and maybe empowerment. sadness, longing, despair etc is more difficult to evoke through gameplay alone...

that being said, i'd definitely say that tetris is a work of pure art, because of its simplicity (though i've always been a bigger fan of columns :p).

In that sense, sure, you're right.