Are Video Games Art?
First off, I like Roger Ebert a lot. He’s one of the few movie critics that I really respect and turn to if I’m on the fence about seeing a movie. I usually agree with what he has to say. However, I disagree with his comments about video games for a few reasons.
Before further explaining, it’s important to understand that the word “art” has a million definitions in our rhetoric. I’d classify art as an expression of oneself (so yes - in a very sad way, I consider my writing on this blog an art form).
But my definition of art is irrelevant when you think in terms of groups or categories. That is, Ebert classifies movies, theater, and television as art. I believe that video games are in that same category. After all, isn’t that what I’ve been reviewing these last few months? I’ve been writing about movies, television and video games because they’re all the same art form. They are three separate means to storytelling… and to me, that is art in its purest form.
I think that Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and the Metroid Prime Trilogy are shining examples of how video games can be art. Play either of those and tell me if it’s any different than a movie that’s considered art. Honestly, they’re better than a movie because they’re more engaging.
By the way, there’s a really interesting article and video from IGN’s Michael Thomsen that compares Citizen Kane’s impact on cinema to Metroid Prime’s on the video game industry. Check it out - it’s really interesting.
Anyway, that’s all I have to say on this - but I’m curious what you think. Are video games considered art?
-MP