Can Video Games Be Art?

[cheat-master30]

A strange issue, but true. Will there ever be games seem as greatest artistic achievements in the same vein as say, Sunflowers, the Mona Lisa or Beethoven's Symphonies? Do you think the medium as a whole is ready for this kind of thing, or is it too early?

For me, I guess I'm not sure. A game being considered art in the future is possible for me, and a video game being seen as greatly original and inspiring in terms of concept is possible, but part of me thinks that much in what is traditional as classic in works of art just won't translate to a game. You've got interactive choice for one thing, which adds a whole new layer to the whole experience, at least in such you don't just have the 'author's intended way' like with literature/movies/TV shows. On the other note, I've seen a lot of game journalists say that a game can be good without 'being fun' in the traditional sense, but part of me doesn't believe that, or at least that the kind of game mentioned would ever sell. Your thoughts?

[orga the alien]

The creative ones? Yes. Halo and gun games? No.

[Mr.L]

I agree with Orga. Games with guns, explosives, war type games should not be considered "Art," Yet, creative games that are imaginative and graceful, yes.

[vingw]

How about paper mario?He is drawn on computer or somthing.Frame after frame after frame after frame...

[videogame adict]

well define "arts"

if you mean arts including media then yeah. This would also mean that all other forms of media would also be art.

just a tidbit of info.....

[Fire Luigi]

How about paper mario?He is drawn on computer or somthing.Frame after frame after frame after frame...
I know, and the flipping and whatnot.

[Chrisjh0223]

Games can very well be considered art, if they qualify that is. There are interactive games out there called "visual novels" which require little input from the player (if you really are a player that is), all you have to do is participate in minimum dialog. The majority of player interaction is limited to clicking the on-screen selection of text or objects. All the while, the imagery on screen can very well be classified as art, as you see below.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Wikipe-tan_visual_novel_%28Ren%27Py%29.png

There are also video games like "Chaos Gate," which have you fighting in the actual game environment and also have artwork periodically there for loading screens, cutscenes, and interactive dialogue points. Here's a screenshot you may see from that game:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PgzWtj7VIiM/RbOhvWXiFdI/AAAAAAAAAzI/8TVSoN_mZ58/s400/chaos+gate.jpg

So yes, video games such as these can very well be considered works of art. Note that this is most often true for those of the anime genre.

[UnknownToaster]

I agree with Orga. Games with guns, explosives, war type games should not be considered "Art," Yet, creative games that are imaginative and graceful, yes.

Whether you like it or not, a lot of shooters actually have beautiful landscapes and very detailed characters with nice cinema involved.

[orga the alien]

True^http://eshdfgh

[Chrisjh0223]

I agree with Orga. Games with guns, explosives, war type games should not be considered "Art," Yet, creative games that are imaginative and graceful, yes.

Whether you like it or not, a lot of shooters actually have beautiful landscapes and very detailed characters with nice cinema involved.

You have a good point there. In all honesty I have noticed a high level of graphical quality in the FMV cutscenes of the Halo games, where the landscapes and characters looked nearly so real and thus qualifies as art. It's just that the actual gameplay with combat does not appear as art, due to the lesser level of quality and it's an all out carnage battle with graphical imposed blood and bruises. On second thought, the bloodstains do give an impression of art, just not as much as the FMVs.

[UnknownToaster]

I agree with Orga. Games with guns, explosives, war type games should not be considered "Art," Yet, creative games that are imaginative and graceful, yes.

Whether you like it or not, a lot of shooters actually have beautiful landscapes and very detailed characters with nice cinema involved.

You have a good point there. In all honesty I have noticed a high level of graphical quality in the FMV cutscenes of the Halo games, where the landscapes and characters looked nearly so real and thus qualifies as art. It's just that the actual gameplay with combat does not appear as art, due to the lesser level of quality and it's an all out carnage battle with graphical imposed blood and bruises. On second thought, the bloodstains do give an impression of art, just not as much as the FMVs.

You can't tell me this ISN'T art.
These pictures are completely un-edited.
(ALL from Halo 3)
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp45/UnknownToaster21/SpartanofDeath.jpg
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp45/UnknownToaster21/AmazingCheif.jpg
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp45/UnknownToaster21/AmazingCheif2.jpg
(If you don't believe the last one is real, the guy who took the picture took advantage of lighting and explosions to make it look like this)

[Chrisjh0223]

^ Very good art indeed. :)

[laharl]

i know something that will top that

when god created girls :P

[Master Yoda]

Did you know "Programming" falls under the list of Arts? Video games can be classified as that, too. Halo can be art, too. Just like violence...

[Mr.L]

Yes, that is very true and I'm extremely glad someone brought that point up. Lots of FPS have beautiful landscapes.

[Chrisjh0223]

i know something that will top that

when god created girls :P

I agree, particularly in regards to the second anime girl picture I posted in this topic.

[imalittlecrazy]

i know something that will top that

when god created girls :P

*slaps upside of head*
Sicko.

[Chrisjh0223]

^ Why did you do that?

[vingw]

Because sheisalittlecrazy

[Chrisjh0223]

That is so true dude, makes sense now. You know how she is. XD

[UnknownToaster]

Also FPS games also inspire other art as well such as this.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp45/UnknownToaster21/OMG_GOW2_H3_COD4_by_Death__Blooms.jpg

[Chrisjh0223]

That's a good screenshot. We see some drama and action there.

[vingw]

http://dsultimate.net/Board/upload/picture.php?albumid=967&pictureid=10344
This is art for any game in the MUSHROOM MEN series

[Goomba Smackdown!!]

One word: Electroplankton. ^_^

Video games creators and designers are masters of portraying mood and feeling into their games, similarly to how an artist would put mood and feeling into a painting.

[Nintendofanthr33]

I agree with Orga. Games with guns, explosives, war type games should not be considered "Art," Yet, creative games that are imaginative and graceful, yes.

every game is an art game cause its scripted.

Everything thats scripted comes from a pic.

blood its a pic

explosions is a pic

if you've ever used a source then youd know....