Bogus Arguments Against Video Games as Art

[Thaius]

There are many ideas out there about video games as an art form, but I have to admit I've never seen an argument that holds water. Some are just plain stupid, some are based on ignorance, and some are actually intelligently formed even if they don't hold up to scrutiny.

Of course I'm always willing to be proven wrong, but it has yet to happen in this area. So this thread is dedicated to arguments against video games as art. If you don't believe they are art, say why. If you do, present an argument and say why you disagree. Seeing as how the purpose is discussion, try not to just say, "This argument is stupid." Put intelligent thought into it.

So... discuss!

 

[Veylon]

I'll take a shot at this. I have two main lines of criticism.

1) Video games are not art in the same way an art museum is not art. They contain art, but they are more of a collection than art itself.

2) Video games are primarily a tool. A hammer can be artfully arranged as art, but you can't use it for its purpose at the same time. Video games are primarily used or played actively, whereas art is primarily seen, heard, watched, or read passively. Videos or recordings of games can be art, cutscenes can be art, but the core gameplay, that which makes a game a game? I don't think so.

Both of these thoughts place limits on the idea of art. If Videogames are art, what is not art? Is going to the park art? Is an etch-a-sketch art? Are legos art? If videogames fall within the boundaries of art, then what are the boundaries of art? I've marked my thoughts, I'd like to hear other.

 

[Pimppeter2]

"I don't personally believe that games are art"

There, a completly valid argument.

 

[Swarley]

Art is subjective, so there is no actual arguments for or against video games being art. If you believe its art then it is art, and the same against it. As soon as people realize this we can get over this nonsense.

 

[Pielikey]

Swearing 12 year olds running around teabagging people is a very unique art, which is why many people are skeptical to Video games being Art.

 

[Jark212]

Art is subjective, it can only be art in the eyes of the viewer...

Exactly like beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

Since I don't even believe what we call "art" (i.e. paintings in museums) is really art, I suppose I can't call video games art either.

Okay, I'm looking at the "art" in museums in terms of contemporary art, which I think is basically shit on canvas. "Blue line on white canvas" - I hope whoever painted that is in the 8th circle of Hell now. Yes, it's exactly how it sounds.

 

[Furious Styles]

"I don't personally believe that games are art"

There, a completly valid argument.

An argument needs at least one back up point or piece of evidence as justification, else it remains an opinion.

 

[tlozoot]

Art is inherently authorial. Video games give the player freedom and control, diluting and distorting the authorial vision of the artist.

This is Ebert's problem, however most player freedom is an illusion and what the player does is usually accounted for by the designer. If you play the game the way it's meant to be played, then you should still get that authorial vision. For Shakespeare's sake, don't read only every third line of King Lear.

But yeah...art is subjective, so this is all kind of moot. Ebert then backtracked and said they can't be 'High-art' which is pretty much just a bullshit pretentious term for 'that which only the academics deem art.'

 

[Pimppeter2]

"I don't personally believe that games are art"

There, a completly valid argument.

An argument needs at least one back up point or piece of evidence as justification, else it remains an opinion.

The Point
---------------
Your head

 

[MiracleOfSound]

A

This is Ebert's problem, however most player freedom is an illusion and what the player does is usually accounted for by the designer. If you play the game the way it's meant to be played, then you should still get that authorial vision. For Shakespeare's sake, don't read only every third line of King Lear.

Ebert also once stated that Spaghetti Westerns were not art.

The guy is a troll.

 

[tlozoot]

A

This is Ebert's problem, however most player freedom is an illusion and what the player does is usually accounted for by the designer. If you play the game the way it's meant to be played, then you should still get that authorial vision. For Shakespeare's sake, don't read only every third line of King Lear.

Ebert also once stated that Spaghetti Westerns were not art.

The guy is a troll.

I actually think his movie reviews are pretty measured and accurate. Guy blatantly knows nothing about video games though. Even by his own admission he hasn't played one since....Myst I think.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Games are toys.

Toys can't be art.

Therefor, games can't be art.

It can be argued weather or not video games are toys, but the arguement is pointless since toys can be art as well.

Have you seen what people have done with Legos?

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

A

This is Ebert's problem, however most player freedom is an illusion and what the player does is usually accounted for by the designer. If you play the game the way it's meant to be played, then you should still get that authorial vision. For Shakespeare's sake, don't read only every third line of King Lear.

Ebert also once stated that Spaghetti Westerns were not art.

The guy is a troll.

I actually think his movie reviews are pretty measured and accurate. Guy blatantly knows nothing about video games though. Even by his own admission he hasn't played one since....Myst I think.

'

He has recanted his statement on Video games aren't art because A. he hasn't played them so he can't judge them and B. he thought about it and found no definition of art that precludes video games.

 

[Furious Styles]

The Point
---------------
Your head

You'd be surprised how often people genuinely mean it when they say that sort of thing.

I suppose your having 20,000+ posts on a gaming website should have told me that you didn't mean it on this particular subject.

I apologize.

 

[gl1koz3]

Can you interpret a game? Yes. Just like human relationship is a game, and you can interpret it; games are art.

 

[Please don't shoot]

what is art? I've never heard a good definition of it. If I had one I could decide whether or not games are art, as it is I know they are something I want to spend my time on, whether or not they are art.

 

[tlozoot]

He has recanted his statement on Video games aren't art because A. he hasn't played them so he can't judge them and B. he thought about it and found no definition of art that precludes video games.

Cool, could you link me to where he said that? Not that I don't believe you. I'd just like to read exactly what he said when he recanted it.