Are video games art?

This isn't about a particular video game, but it's ABOUT them, so I didn't want to put this into "Everything Else".

but yea. Are video games art? Quoted from a post I made at another forum:

Quote :

As I see it, art is something that was consciously created with the intent to convey a non-explanatory idea (That is, a novel is art. A washing machine manual isn't). Just because games are made to entertain us doesn't exclude them. Movies and music are made for the same reason. Applying limitations otherwise is more or less like those people that go into a gallery and say "psh, THIS isn't art!"

Way to end your own thread, Punchfox.

All games are art. I don't even like to say that because a lot don't mean much to me, but no art has to mean anything to anyone except its creator. If it has a meaning, a motive behind it, whether it's the joys of snowboarding or the intensity of being a CIA Agent, then it's art.

Art
-noun
The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

So yes. But not all games.

MortalWombat wrote:

Art
-noun
The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

So yes. But not all games.

But to who? Perhaps Big Rigs is loved by no one, but that's about it. The definition describes a feeling toward a work. Anyone can have a positive feeling toward any game, even if it's just the developers.

Sauteed Pig Testicles wrote:

MortalWombat wrote:

Art
-noun
The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

So yes. But not all games.

But to who? Perhaps Big Rigs is loved by no one, but that's about it. The definition describes a feeling toward a work. Anyone can have a positive feeling toward any game, even if it's just the developers.

That's true. Art is dynamic and varied.
I suppose what I should be saying is I don't think all video games are art. Perhaps you do, or don't. Art itself is a subjective genre with vague definitions. But if it's going to be based on positive feelings alone, as you said, then anything and everything is art, so long as one individual thinks so.
I have a positive feeling towards books, games and novelty condoms. Is literature art? Probably. Are video games art? Maybe. Are novelty condoms art? Probably not. Art itself doesn't change, only our definition does.
Remember, this is only my opinion.

Hmmm, maybe not.

Drifter wrote:

Hmmm, maybe not.

explain why?

PunchFox wrote:

Drifter wrote:

Hmmm, maybe not.

explain why?

I meant, "Hmm, guess you didn't end your own thread after all."

oh, lol, right

i feel so slow right now -___- (in general, not because of this situation)

derp.

Guys I just went on a grand adventure I have no idea where we went (i sort of do but uh i dunno) and it was pretty cool my feet hurt though

I'm so tired I should probably not be posting

PunchFox wrote:

Guys I just went on a grand adventure I have no idea where we went (i sort of do but uh i dunno) and it was pretty cool my feet hurt though

I suppose this is my cue.
OMG NO WAIZ LUNCHBOX TELL ME MOAR!!

I was honestly just tired out of my mind last night and rambling on until the lights went off and I could go to sleep... but uh...

We (my friends and I) discovered the campus water treatment plant, a really nice, scenic overlook, and a chill elementary school playground (we accidentally set off some proximity sensors though and the cops came) while wandering around aimlessly. This was all between 11:30 and 1:00 am. We probably did a total of at least 3 or 4 miles.

I think I just ruined my own topic though.

PunchFox wrote:

I was honestly just tired out of my mind last night and rambling on until the lights went off and I could go to sleep... but uh...

We (my friends and I) discovered the campus water treatment plant, a really nice, scenic overlook, and a chill elementary school playground (we accidentally set off some proximity sensors though and the cops came) while wandering around aimlessly. This was all between 11:30 and 1:00 am. We probably did a total of at least 3 or 4 miles.

I think I just ruined my own topic though.

i walked 9km (about 5.6 miles) about 2 weeks ago,i won't bore you with the details about why and when and where but damn that last mile felt like 20 ......

PunchFox wrote:

I was honestly just tired out of my mind last night and rambling on until the lights went off and I could go to sleep... but uh...

We (my friends and I) discovered the campus water treatment plant, a really nice, scenic overlook, and a chill elementary school playground (we accidentally set off some proximity sensors though and the cops came) while wandering around aimlessly. This was all between 11:30 and 1:00 am. We probably did a total of at least 3 or 4 miles.

I think I just ruined my own topic though.

Way to end your own thread, Punchfox.

The circle is complete.

The question is always asked in the wrong way. It shouldn't be 'ARE games art ?', it should be 'CAN games be art ?'

The first question is too general, and appears to encompass all games. The second question is more relevant. Not only that, it's far easier to answer.

Can a game convey a meaning beyond what is simply apparent on the surface ? The answer is 'Well, duh.' We have games with as involved narratives as movies, but even more so seeing as though most movies are around two hours long and few games are shorter than ten. We have games touching on major themes such as love, hate, fear, family, peace, xenophobia, nationalism, ethics, religion, friendship, dreams, the subconscious, you name it. We have a genre of games called 'art games' fer chrissakes.

So far the only person of note to really come down against games being art is Roger Ebert who, on the one hand, seems to know next to nothing about them. And on the other hand, can suck my cock anyways.

The only question you have to ask is 'Has a game ever spoken to me on a level beyond what is most basically shown on the screen ?' And if you can say 'yes' then you have you answer.

I really like that last question Uberman. It's a great point.