Poll: Are Videogames Art?

[Sampsa]

They're.

Look at the vivid pictures created by games. The stories that begin to rival our written classics. Listen to the soundtracks played by orchestras.

 

[Layzor]

Art, yes. High art, not yet.

 

[joshscorcher]

Not all, but there are a lot of them that are.

Games that are Artistic:

Bioshock, Metal Gear Solid 4, Shadow of the Colossus, Mother 3, Final Fantasy 6, Xenosaga, Super Mario Galaxy, Flower, I could keep going.

 

[MassiveGeek]

Sure.

I mean, it includes tons and tons of things that have all been classified as it, but I personally don't really see this desperation to be validated as "art". It's all up to interpretation in the end really, and sure, if you go by the general view of course it is, it includes music and visuals, the soundtrack and aesthetics are a big part of loads of games and they are art, aren't they?

So why would it not be? What is the definition of art? Or more importantly your definition?

I don't know. I'm an artist and I really don't know how to make my own definition, because most art pieces I do are just like "oh, I want to do like this" and I do it, but some people read into it so much that I feel a bit awkward since I didn't mean for it to have some deep message behind it. But even though I don't have it, other people might interpret it like I do, so is it validated or not?

I'm just saying fuck it, believe whatever you want.

 

[Zeekar]

Oh, look. This thread again.

Anything designed by man is art (don't make me have to explain why in depth, please -- read about aesthetics). The question isn't "is so and so art?", but rather "is so and so GOOD art?"

It should also be noted that the distinction should be made on a case-by-case basis. The argument of games as art is stupid solely for the reason that it always asks whether or not video games as a whole are capable of producing art when they obviously do.

A question of whether or not Mortal Kombat is art would be silly, but at least that would be a valid question.

 

[Toriver]

EDIT: Honestly, I wish games weren't ever brought into this debate. The only people who seem to contribute are people looking to exonerate themselves from a guilty pleasure and convince themselves it has more meaning then simple entertainment i.e To make their god damn hobby seem more important.

I see a platform capable of art for sure. I don't yet see an audience mature enough to make it so.

First, to be fair, I have seen a good number of people who really do find reason for games to be art contributing to the discussion.

But otherwise, this here is my sentiment exactly. Gaming as a medium will grow up when its consumers do.

 

[Dekkaz]

I said no; simply for the reason that art has always compelled and changed ideas and societies.
Video games are a part of the destruction of society.

I would consider indie games art at times though simply for the lack of money bent agendas that every game seems to have these days...

 

[Yorkshire_matt]

Sometimes its art, sometimes its not but it will still be called art