Games Now Legally Considered an Art Form (in the USA)

[Treblaine]

Federal government... can we thank Obama for this?

"Not only is $200k laughably small to the sort of money that goes into your average Call of Duty or Portal"

I don't know. Take out the cost of marketing, licensing, and stick to amateur/pro-bono voice and music talent you can do a lot with $200k especially if the game is released for free on XBLA/PSN/Steam as a non-profit artistic gesture.

 

[The Stonker]

PINKYPIE APPROVES!

 

[Innegativeion]

Can I get a hell yes?

I still don't really get why everyone thinks games have to be art.

I don't think it's as much about being considered art as it's about getting some sort of recognition of the value as a serious part of society.

You know that's the first convincing argument I've heard so far.

I just don't think we have to force ourselves into another medium in order to be accepted.

"Art" isn't a medium.

"Art" is something that is expressed through a medium.

Games have always been art. This is simply a step towards cultural acceptance of that fact. We're not changing anything about what a game is.

 

[N12]

i dont think you people understand how big this is in the US. this basically means that games can not be censored.

 

[The Random One]

I agree with the concept of giving devs of weird indie games a chance to eat non-ramen edible objects. Since there are so many free games out there, there's nowhere to go but up.

 

[Treblaine]

Oh, great! Now games can steal taxpayers money!

To be honest, this is what went through my mind as well. I've never really understood why the government feels the need to fund any sort of artistic endeavor, with money taken from someone who didn't necessarily want to give it in the first place, towards a cause that doesn't really effect said person.

I mean, I'm happy we're finally gaining some protection and legitimacy and all that, but still, it's always struck an odd nerve with me.

Very good point on how this will make it easier to defend games (in America) from being censored using the 1st amendment. But to address you concerns:

1. you aren't given this money without asking for it
2. you need to prove your project is more worthy than everyone else's ideas to get it
3. The project is then made available for free like a public work of art or a free game on XBLA

Seriously, the government might pay for people to make free games. Some people don't want to go the indie commerce route or just don't have the means to live without income for 2-3 years developing a game that may very well make very little to no money (and you weren't interested in profit anyway).

 

[McMullen]

The question now is, how will this effect the Supreme Court case. I mean, if the NEA thinks that games should be considered a valid art-form, what will that say if the Supreme Court decides to side with California? Even more worrisome, if the Supreme Court still does side with California in light of this, what will be the effect on other art forms, like literature and film? It could set a worrying precedent... This could be very good, or very bad.

I doubt it will matter. Various groups, even some government agencies I think, have tried to censor art forms that were considered art even before the US was a country. The only thing that matters to the censorship crowd is whether they like it or not. Whether other people like it, or whether it's nominally protected speech, has never mattered to them.

 

[McMullen]

Oh, great! Now games can steal taxpayers money!

Why is it that any form of government expenditure is either waste or theft?

 

[IndianaJonny]

Now we just need this in the UK.

Yeah, we struggle with gaming being accepted into the mainstream, but as far as small gaming businesses go, we actually have quite a sweet deal [//www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/creative_industries/3274.aspx] since the current government recognise the nice little turnover our guys make - acting as a key case study of those 'darling small businesses' they're always 'encouraging'.

Though to be fair, Cameron is also personally keen for this field to florish. Since the death of his son Ivan (suffered from both cerebral palsy and epilepsy), he's been a real advocate for the 'games as therapy' side of the industry.

OT: Anyone heard anything from the gaming trade-bodies; what's their response? What do ECA make of all this?

 

[Nalgas D. Lemur]

Are we going to see an interactive version of 'My bed'?

I'm hoping for interactive Piss Christ. This is the NEA, after all.

 

[RepeatAfterMe]

Sky's the limit now, gentlemen.

 

[CosmicCommander]

Oh, great! Now games can steal taxpayers money!

I'd much rather my taxes fund the arts than go towards laying waste to some third world nation.

But it gives something for the news to cover.

Oh, great! Now games can steal taxpayers money!

Why is it that any form of government expenditure is either waste or theft?

Because it is.

 

[Jonluw]

Are we going to see an interactive version of 'My bed'?

I'm hoping for interactive Piss Christ. This is the NEA, after all.

WIth Kinect capability then, surely.

 

[Agent X506]

So long as games don't start selling for millions of dollars, I'm fine with it.

 

[Twilight_guy]

I would make the argument that they aren't art until everyone recognizes them as art since that's what characterizes all other forms of art but its definitely a big step. Whoo for games.

 

[Treblaine]

Oh, great! Now games can steal taxpayers money!

Why is it that any form of government expenditure is either waste or theft?

Taxes may be necessary... but they are still "painful" to extract and that pain makes people bitter and cynical.

Empty allegations of waste and theft are hyperbole to cover the real reason that they only place they ever want to government to spend is directly helping themselves. Failing to realise that taxes aren't taken from the individual to then directly spend back on the same individual, but to allow the government to actually do the job of governing.

I suggest to all people who don't like this move to a country without personal taxes, like the United Arab Emirates (government funds itself entirely from Oil Royalties) and see if it's worth it.

 

[Treblaine]

Oh, great! Now games can steal taxpayers money!

I'd much rather my taxes fund the arts than go towards laying waste to some third world nation.

But it gives something for the news to cover.
[/quote]

That is a very poignant and relevant comment, as it is so true that the media only seem to care about violent conflicts when America is involved.

How thoughtful and insightful of you, such a benefit to these here forums with constructive comments like that.

 

[SageRuffin]

I still don't really get why everyone thinks games have to be art.

As do I, good sir/madam. As do I.

 

[Nieroshai]

It's about time, but you're right, this will only serve to raise the volume of the debate.

 

[McMullen]

I suggest to all people who don't like this move to a country without personal taxes, like the United Arab Emirates (government funds itself entirely from Oil Royalties) and see if it's worth it.

Wow, I had no idea there was such a thing as a tax-free nation. If anyone could do it, they could I suppose.

Wonder how ugly it gets when the oil runs out...

Yeah, I have a lot of problems with how taxes are spent, but I don't consider everything a theft or waste (I make an exception for the raises that Congress gives itself though, especially when it does so right after or before declining to raise the minimum wage. Fuck that. Fuck it with two fists and sandpaper gloves.)