Comments on: Roger Ebert, Art, Video Games, and Pornography

By: JLM

JLM — Tue, 04 May 2010 05:37:27 +0000

Art = Not Science

I think science may be easier to define.

Alsom, the intention of the creator is important.

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 04 May 2010 00:47:18 +0000

I think you’ve hit upon an important element of “art.” I’d go one step further and say that while art can change an individual, “fine art” (otherwise known as “art but better”) changes a society and culture. Art defines movements of culture (as the Renaissance), shapes language (as Shakespeare), inspires belief (as the Sistine Chapel), creates connections between dissimilar people. and provides opportunities for self-reflection, etc.

That being said, there’s no reason why games can’t do all these things.

But then, I don’t really think “what is art” is a good question, at least when the unspoken question behind it is “and do video games fit it.” The whole discussion has become swamped by ego-wars to the point where you can barely find genuinely useful information beneath all the mental contortions and, as you put itl, “butthurt.”

Better questions include:
1) Are games potentially culturally enriching?
2) Are games worth serious study?
3) Are games worthy of sponsorship for their cultural enriching properties, as movies currently are?
4) What do the answers to 1-3 have to do with the nature of games, as opposed to merely the impact games have on modern society?

By: Richard Lynn

Richard Lynn — Mon, 03 May 2010 10:51:58 +0000

What element of a game do we look at when attempting to determine whether or not is can be called Art? As of now, a game is merely a program that responds to the gamer’s input, and outputs picture, sound and limited tactile feedback in a pre-determined manner. This is not art. Games may contain beautiful, immersive visual and aural environments, and while the creation of these things is artistic, this does not make the game a work of art. If you look at everything a video game *is*, there’s nothing that would make a non-gamer think of it as a work of art.

As a classically trained musician, I create art from… well, a bunch of squiggly lines and shapes on paper. This paper is not a work of art, nor is the act of placing the lines and shapes on that paper. My instrument is not a work of art, it is a tool. The sound I make with it is not art, it is a pattern of vibrations moving through the air… Art is not a tangible thing. We use our surroundings not to create art, but to convey art, to place our thoughts and emotions into the mind of another, for them to experience in their own unique and beautiful way.

A video game is not a work of art… but it can convey art. As we play, we experience the story and atmosphere of the game, just as we experience the portrayal of a character on film, the details of a painting, or the notes of a song… and just as that actor, painter or musician shares a bit of his soul through his creation, so do the developers of a truly artistic game.
As a gamer and an artist, I can say for certain that the emotion that I experience while playing a truly brilliant game is no different than the emotion I experience while watching a great film, or hearing a sincere performance of a well-constructed piece of music.