Topic: Video games can never be art

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/04/video_games_can_never...
Cave Story has a really good soundtrack though.

It's surprising what people do consider art to be - whether it be a rubbish skip full of nappies or a urinal floating down a canal.

They may not be art, but I'd rather play a video game than look at a stone version of a decapitated naked person.
(that was stereotyping art, I love art also.)

You never played a Metal Gear Solid game, right?

I agree actually. Why look at something realistic (like the Mona Lisa) when we can play something that has a cool art style (Windwaker, for example)

Video games may not be considered as art, but the individual aspects that make up video games are. For example: music, background art, character art, etc. Full 3D games (conceptual 3D, not Avatar 3D) don't use hand drawn backgrounds or characters, but they start in concept art, and end up in what would be considered 3D computer art. Really, art is just a label.

Just as someone knocking on wood can be called music, a squiggle on a piece of paper can be called art. Video game artists spend a lot of time making moving images that will invoke a feeling or emotion within the player. If that isn't art, I don't know what is.

And who the flap is this Ebert fella anyway? I enjoyed reading it, but don't agree one bit.

I've read a similar article that put together a far better arguement. It might have even been written by the same guy. This, however, wasn't even worth reading. It's more or less a rebuttle to discount the PR bullshit spouted from somebody who doesn't know what the hell she's talking about. Really doesn't do anybody any good. I wish I could find that other article, it actually made some good points got you thinkin'.

I honestly can't see how you can make a blanket statement either way as to whether or not video games are art. Certain games are art, and I don't see how you can contest that fact. They are made by people as a form of expression, including almost every form of art. Writing, Acting, music, and certainly visual art. Other games are made to be just that--games, and little else. The developers aren't attempting to make any sort of expression; it's just a game. I could go on, but I think you understand.

I'd say no. I think certain aspects of a video game -- the art style, the music, the graphics -- are artistic in nature, but the game itself? Is Monopoly a work of art?

Of course video games are art - play Rez, Killer7, Shenmue etc and try saying they arn't art. Most ridiculous arguement I've ever heard.

Like a person who sings Rah's can be considered a god.

Grrrr!

Down boy!

@Aviator: I'll show you some 'art'.

/pulls down pants

_{it's all down to interpretation}

I interpret that as "life-scarring".

he's got some good points. more gamers will kneejerk at the article than read it, though.

Roger Ebert touches upon the fact that the very definition of art is subjective. Art is open to interpitation therefore people will argue on what is or isn't art until the end of time. You could find just as many reasons on wht vide games are art as he did against it if you tweek the definition. He just chose to express views that contradict the stance that games can be art.

As a gamer I want to pick-up a pitchfork and rage but there is no way to win or lose an arguement based around something as opinion driven as Art.

There we go, that's what the right logic is.

I'm inclined to disagree.