Are video games Art?

[Darth Reven]

Its been a while since i've been here so this may have already come up but anyway. I'm doing paper for my english class over weather or not video games are art.

[astr0creep]

I had this huge post filled with links and informative quotes, attached vids, pics and graphics that all resulted in one very simple answer that anyone can understand without any shred of doubt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes.

[Kaftan Barlast]

There are artistic aspects in the development process but 99.9% of every game released has been for the purpouse of entertainment.

 

 

 

and as a sidenote: I study computer game design and graphics and its strange that the english does not differentiate between an artist(picasso) and an artist(someone who produces graphics for a computer game). Game CGI is about illustrating the visions of the designers, not to create a work of art.

[Pidesco]

They are an art, when I play them!! :D

[SteveThaiBinh]

They're rarely if ever great art, but I think they have the potential to be. I don't agree with Roger Ebert that having player control means the medium is fundamentally flawed and cannot achieve the status he feels movies have. It's possible that a single game playthrough could be a work of art, as a collaboration between designer and player, without the game itself being a work of art.

 

There was a long and interesting thread about this in the Computers and Consoles forum from months ago, in which you'll find many arguments more coherent than mine. :D

[Rosbjerg]

There are artistic aspects in the development process but 99.9% of every game released has been for the purpouse of entertainment.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

who says art can't be entertainment? it's still a "painting" of sorts when you make graphics.. at least imho..

[Kaftan Barlast]

Art is what happens when an artist lets himself loose on a canvas, lump of clay or sheet of paper. When youre making game graphics, you work entirely with someone elses ideas and your work is constantly checked and corrected. The primary function of a Lead artist is to ensure that every piece of graphics for a game has the same look and style. And in that climate, its not possible for the kind of individualistic expression that true art requires.

 

 

Also, a game is a very very compromised medium where a single genius will find it impossible to achieve something that is even close to his original medium. And art must never ever compromise.

[Blarghagh]

I think it's art. That's all I need.

 

Likewise, a lot of modern art falls in Kaftan's description, and I don't consider that art at all.

 

Besides, most of the art you find in a museum was, ultimately, done on comission. If that isn't compromising, I don't know what is.

 

Look at it this way - if it wasn't art, why do you have a lead ARTist?

Edited June 8, 2006 by TrueNeutral

[Darth Drabek]

I don't like the "craftsman vs. artisan" debate, because I believe both painting a canvas and upholstering furniture can be considered art - if the creator is skilled and takes great care in his/her work.

[astr0creep]

By the way, a game isn't just graphics. A game is written, there are dialogs(usually), music, lighting, colors, etc.

It doesn't matter if someone called an "artist" actually only implements elements, the concepts, the ideas, the visions all came from someone.

[Volourn]

Not art.

[Baley]

Define art.

[astr0creep]

Define art.

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Ok : Art

[Baley]

Ha Ha.

 

 

I want the thread starter's definition of art. Out of curiosity really. Art is subjective. I for one consider my phallus to be nature's most beautiful artwork. Suppose. Greatness lies in the details. Art in the soul.

Edited June 8, 2006 by Baley

[Bokishi]

Hot Coffee is art.

[><FISH'>]

I don't consider video games to be art.

[alanschu]

Art is what happens when an artist lets himself loose on a canvas, lump of clay or sheet of paper. When youre making game graphics, you work entirely with someone elses ideas and your work is constantly checked and corrected. The primary function of a Lead artist is to ensure that every piece of graphics for a game has the same look and style. And in that climate, its not possible for the kind of individualistic expression that true art requires.

 

Then how can people claim that movies are art?

[Volourn]

Because those who claim that are WRONG.

Edited June 8, 2006 by Volourn

[astr0creep]

I guess books and music aren't art either then.

Oh well. "

[><FISH'>]

'Tis a matter of opinion.

[alanschu]

Because those who claim that are WRONG.

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At the risk of pissing off ol' Gromnir....

 

 

What is art Volo?

[Llyranor]

I am art.

[><FISH'>]

I am art.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

This guy is on to something :ph34r:

[alanschu]

I am art.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

On the plus side, I'm working from home today and can squeeze in one minute turns to shatter you and your art!

[Kaftan Barlast]

Art is what happens when an artist lets himself loose on a canvas, lump of clay or sheet of paper. When youre making game graphics, you work entirely with someone elses ideas and your work is constantly checked and corrected. The primary function of a Lead artist is to ensure that every piece of graphics for a game has the same look and style. And in that climate, its not possible for the kind of individualistic expression that true art requires.

 

Then how can people claim that movies are art?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Most films are purely entertainment, but in film a small number of extremely driven people have succeeded in bending the medium to their will and create films which are works of art.

 

The whole "auteur" thing and that.