Art, like every other aspect of an evolving society, changes. Evolution of society is natural, mostly unpredictable, and GOOD.
As things like technology and laws and beliefs change to meet modern standards, so do definitions. I think the definition of what Art is should also change.
When movies were first becoming popular, were they so widely considered fine art? Or did art critics cry out against them saying that they replaced the human imagination in storytelling? When you read a book, you expand your vocabulary and envision the events on the pages, helping you to grow as a person. The movie does all of this for you, so it can't be art, right?
Of course not. There are artistic movies, and then there are movies that are true works of art, because they help us to expand and grow as individuals.
Same for games. There are games, there are artistic games, and then there are games which are true works of art. Games which have mastered the art of interactive storytelling, stir emotion and get our imaginations rolling. Games that make us think and smile and cry.
Certainly, you can 'win' a game, but to me a game which is a true work of art is one where 'winning' is not the goal, but reaching the end of the story - the same goal in reading a book or watching a movie. I feel this way about Valves games, though it is merely my opinion, as TO ME they have done everything a good game should do perfectly, and it was through a conscious effort on their part.
Those are my thoughts on the matter. Games ARE works of art...as entire entities, and in all of their many, many pieces. If nothing else, they are the pinnacle of human creativity and ingenuity rolled into one.
As things like technology and laws and beliefs change to meet modern standards, so do definitions. I think the definition of what Art is should also change.
When movies were first becoming popular, were they so widely considered fine art? Or did art critics cry out against them saying that they replaced the human imagination in storytelling? When you read a book, you expand your vocabulary and envision the events on the pages, helping you to grow as a person. The movie does all of this for you, so it can't be art, right?
Of course not. There are artistic movies, and then there are movies that are true works of art, because they help us to expand and grow as individuals.
Same for games. There are games, there are artistic games, and then there are games which are true works of art. Games which have mastered the art of interactive storytelling, stir emotion and get our imaginations rolling. Games that make us think and smile and cry.
Certainly, you can 'win' a game, but to me a game which is a true work of art is one where 'winning' is not the goal, but reaching the end of the story - the same goal in reading a book or watching a movie. I feel this way about Valves games, though it is merely my opinion, as TO ME they have done everything a good game should do perfectly, and it was through a conscious effort on their part.
Those are my thoughts on the matter. Games ARE works of art...as entire entities, and in all of their many, many pieces. If nothing else, they are the pinnacle of human creativity and ingenuity rolled into one.