Why do we feel a need to justify video games as art?

[TerranReaper]

As the title states, why are people feeling the need to convince people that video games are art? It just seems like to me, that people are trying to separate games they consider to be superior in every way to games that they consider the "idiotic, brainless masses" to like for some reason (Popular example: CoD series). That is the way I see it though, judging from the people in this forum, it is very likely this is not the case. I want to know why people want to prove that video games are art.

 

[Terminate421]

Because I work hard to make my games, not to mention I feel like I am putting an emotional feeling and work into it, thus I classify it as art. (YES I do make games)

 

[Spookboy666]

To stem the tide of critics and controversy. If you put sex in a game it's (corrupting our children" but if you put sex on a canvas it's "being artistic".

 

[MrhalfAwake]

You want to know the real reason

Because as gamers get older and older they feel the need to continually justify wasting their time on something that is effectively a toy. If they had any real sense they'd say fuck off to the critics, I work hard, I take care of all my responsibilities, If a little Metal Gear solid now and gain is how I want to relax and spend my time then that's my own damn business.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Well maybe some games can actually be considered art and that is worth defending for some people. It more comes from the fact that the media demonizes the hobby when anything they don't agree with is put in it thus stopping Gaming from being considered any way mature for games that deserve to be mature.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

i don't feel the need to convince anyone that it's art, except when critics take time to stomp on the medium and preach about how it isn't art. if they don't like it, fine. but don't tell me that what brings joy and occasionally enlightenment into my life isn't art.

also, not to be a dick, but this topic has been done to death lately.

 

[TheHecatomb]

As the title states, why are people feeling the need to convince people that video games are art? It just seems like to me, that people are trying to separate games they consider to be superior in every way to games that they consider the "idiotic, brainless masses" to like for some reason (Popular example: CoD series). That is the way I see it though, judging from the people in this forum, it is very likely this is not the case. I want to know why people want to prove that video games are art.

I do agree that the whole argument of "which games are art and which are not" is quite pointless at best.

However literature is established as an art, so is film. They have been acclaimed as a medium of art. And I do personally feel videogames as a medium deserve the same thing. Does that mean that I consider every videogame out there art? No. Absolutely not. For the same reason I don't consider every movie art. I mean, Uwe Boll. It's about the potential of the medium, not the individual releases.

 

[MrhalfAwake]

i don't feel the need to convince anyone that it's art, except when critics take time to stomp on the medium and preach about how it isn't art. if they don't like it, fine. but don't tell me that what brings joy and occasionally enlightenment into my life isn't art.

also, not to be a dick, but this topic has been done to death lately.

who Roger Ebert?

why the hells should you even care what a MOVIE reviewer has to say about games. Video gamers need to stop getting worked up over non game critics.

 

[lovest harding]

Because some experiences can be more than just a game.
Why don't people look at literature as just empty, made up words on a page? Because when you find a particularly well-written book supported by marvelous ideas, interesting characters, and a plot that can make your heart race or make you cry or force you to think about something in a new way, it is art.
The same can and does go for movies, video games, paintings, poetry, etc.

At least that's why I call video games an art form.

 

[Baneat]

People are serious about what they make.

As such, they'd like to be taken seriously instead of dismissed.

 

[Sneeze]

Because as far as I'm concerned, they are. If movies, books and music can be an art why can't games be?

But its more, they need more respect overall really, I don't wanna be looked down on for playing (and hopefully one day making them myself). There shouldn't be an pubic outcry every time a game shows a side boob when movies can get away with full frontal and no-one raises an eyebrow.

If they're never given 'art' status the least they could get is acknowledgement that they aren't evil, for kids, etc etc.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

i don't feel the need to convince anyone that it's art, except when critics take time to stomp on the medium and preach about how it isn't art. if they don't like it, fine. but don't tell me that what brings joy and occasionally enlightenment into my life isn't art.

also, not to be a dick, but this topic has been done to death lately.

who Roger Ebert?

why the hells should you even care what a MOVIE reviewer has to say about games. Video gamers need to stop getting worked up over non game critics.

by critics, i don't just mean "professional art critics", i mean people who are critical of games and their effects. i.e. every asshole who has ever tried to ban games. as someone mentioned above, if games were acknowledged as art, there would be much less push to ban them.

 

[Blemontea]

If we dont define games as an art then the constant back lash for just a mere presence of a nipple will continue to the end of time. though you do bring up a point about us only bring up the "golden Idols" of games to show off as art. Which is why we should instead find any aspect of art in every game to prove even the the run gun hack and slash has art in it.

 

[DevilWolf47]

It's not unlike when theater began to compete with music and painting. Video games are a new entertainment venue, the highest honor for such a venue is when it is accepted as a viable form of art. Really the goal isn't to get Shadow of the Colossus on display at a museum while a life-size GLaDOS with a built in speaker plays "Demise of the Ritual," it's to get people to accept video games as a part of culture that has more too it than "Press X to skull fuck the orphan you just shot."

 

[TaboriHK]

Short answer: because politicians and special interest groups are trying to limit what they can express more than they already do.

 

[newwiseman]

Because it frees the medium to touch on issues that we would other wise be shunned. And, gives authority to do it in such a way as to force a legitimate gut wrenching response from the 'interacter' (player) without being ostracized for not being for children.

 

[Geekosaurus]

Because it's the ultimate excuse that trumps any form of criticism.

'This is just random brush strokes - it doesn't mean anything.'
'But it's art.'

'These are just a collection of words that are in a slightly coherent order but have no meaning or sense.'
'It's poetry - a form of art.'

Whereas we have no comeback when somebody says 'but it's just mindless violence,' other than 'it's fun.' If we had the art excuse we'd prove them all wrong.

 

[DataSnake]

Two words: First. Amendment. If games were considered art, Schwarzenegger v. EMA wouldn't even be open to discussion.