games you consider to be art

[Sharalon]

person A put in an expression into his art and that qualifies as art.

It is simply impossible not to put an expression into your work even if you're doing it just to look good, or to sell it, or whatever your intentions are.

Also I think that the "Art is in the eye of the beholder" comments I've seen around here sums it up, because there is no way of measuring how deep the artists thoughts went when he made his work. If someone sees it as art, then it is art. I don't think that anyone is more qualified than anyone else when it comes to defining art. The last thing we need is a bunch of twats on high chairs telling us what is art and what isn't.

 

[Nick_Snyder]

Okami and probably Silent Hill 2.

 

[Sharalon]

It is simply impossible not to put an expression into your work even if you're doing it just to look good, or to sell it, or whatever your intentions are.

So if person B does a cool picture of a robot, and his only intention is a cool robot. Do tell, what does that express?

He simply designed something, he focused on the aesthetics. Nothing wrong here, but design doesnt really mean its immeadtly art in the sence that its an expression.

Although you could say its some sort of longing to childhood/escapism.

Also I think that the "Art is in the eye of the beholder" comments I've seen around here sums it up, because there is no way of measuring how deep the artists thoughts went when he made his work. If someone sees it as art, then it is art. I don't think that anyone is more qualified than anyone else when it comes to defining art. The last thing we need is a bunch of twats on high chairs telling us what is art and what isn't.

..... you basically didnt read my post.

Art isnt a superior thing, your the one putting it on a pedestal. I didnt even say the word "Deep" and thats up for personal interpretation. However its art when its intented as art, and any creative process can be intended to be art, even cool robots, but one wont know until the artist themselfs say so.

Wether something is art or not, is up to its creator. For example a poster for a movie, it might look nice, it will be made to be eye catching to take the interest of the passer by, and what is that called? Graphic design. Its not intented to be art, its intended to be a poster, it has a creative process, but mostly focused on the design element. No one is saying its bad, but its not artwork, its a poster.

However alot of people seem to confuse what they like is instantly art.

Art in the sence of as an expression of concernt, a philosophical observation of life, or w/e thats Art, because the creator intended it to have meaning. Its not superior, its not inferior its just art, its just saying something.

Design is the focus on aesthetics, its often a focus on more practical things rather than saying something.

For the viewer what they find meaning in is up to them, but just because they like the look of something doesnt instantly make it. Its just meaningful to them. Its also up to them which piece art is deep and which design is good.

Ok, I'm kinda tired of this, but I can't say that you're wrong, in the same way as you can't say that I'm wrong. I may think that you have the wrong idea, but without a definition we simply can't look at art from an objective view.

In my opinion everything is art because I have no way of knowing the artists real thoughts behind the work and therefor can't say that it's not art.

I guess we just have to wait for an agreement on the definition of the word before we can really have this conversation, but until then it's impossible to come to a conclusion because we have no facts.

 

[Harlemura]

Gotta be Mortal Kombat.
I think that there's so much symbolism here. Something we can all reflect on.
/labored, un-funny joke

Anyway...
I'l admit I'm not really on the "games are art" team. I prefer games involving... well, heads being split open and trophies shoved in the hole, rather than something chocked full of meaning and messages. Just don't find the latter as enjoyable.

That said, if I was forced to pick a game as art, I'd probably go with Okami. 'Cause it looks purrdy.
Kinda cheating since the style's based off traditional Japanese paintings that are already considered art, but like, whatever, man.

 

[Sharalon]

Art - To express thoughts about this world, or something about your own mind.There you go.

That's more ONE interpretation of the word art, not THE definition. I can give you another one.

Art is something that stimulates an individual's thoughts, emotions, beliefs, or ideas through the senses.

And since I'm already quoting from wikipedia I might as well just link the page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art

There is a good part about the definition there, just read it and you'll know what I'm talking about.

 

[Buizel91]

All games are really, but here is a couple.

Halo: Reach, the amount of awesome pictures that come out of that game is just amazing...for example

Spoiler

Spoiler

I'll also throw in the likes of Bioshock, Gears of War and Just Cause 2

 

[PatSilverFox]

All games are art in my opinion.
Some are just more bland than others.

 

[Zenron]

I had copied in a definition of the word "Art" into my post but ended up deleting it because I didn't agree with it. Said definition stated that it is only art when the reason it was primarily produced was for it's beauty to be appreciated, which isn't the case for any video game. They're all made to sell and to entertain. Artistic merit is a secondary concern. This is the same with most modern mediums such as movies or literature. It would be kind of irrational to preclude things from being art just because it's primary concern isn't to be appreciated.

However, if we think of art as the product of human creativity in the form of something profound or beautiful, something that truly has an emotional impact on us, then I think we have a much better definition. In this sense all games can be defined as art, because the beauty of anything is subjective. I realise I'm rambling here but if beauty is subjective, and art is something beautiful made by human creation, is what can be considered art subjective as well?

Anyway, now that I've got that out of the way, the only game in my collection which I, in my subjective opinion, would say is Art is bioshock. I liked it, it was deep for a game, it had something to say about individualism and some of the plot points and characters were simply fascinating(particularly the part about Steiner).

 

[Sharalon]

Because wikipedia is always right? >.>

No, but I think it's a better source of information than random people on the escapist (no offence) and if you read the article you'd see that it brings up some arguments that makes sense, at least to me.

Well, I'm pretty tired of this and I really have to concentrate on my studies. I won't reply to any further comments, but if you really can't see it my way, then consider my posts as the art of trolling.

 

[xXGeckoXx]

Portal series. For the humour and intelligence.

Mass effect for the depth of the universe and characters.

Fallout 3 for immersion and mind blowing attention to detail.

Edit: Okami for artistic style.

 

[Inkidu]

I could consider every game a form of art on some level or another.

 

[SoranMBane]

Most of them. If a game expresses some sort of tangible worldview, it's art. Even games as "mindless" as Doom can have a worldview (as pointed out by the most recent Extra Credits episode), and are therefore technically art, if not necessarily high art.

 

[pyrosaw]

The Neverhood,
Half Life 2 series,
Portal series,
Bioshock,
Um, Flower,
yeah. I just realized i don't play that many artistic games.

 

[pyrosaw]

All games are art, just like all paintings and all movies. They might not be good, but it's still art.

Look me in the eye and tell me E.T. for the Atari2600 is art. O_O

 

[maistro51]

MY FAVORITE ART GAME IS THE BLOCKED TUNNEL BY http://www.wrinkledart.com/ IT IS A FREE ONLINE HAND DRAWN GAME. PLAY IT HERE: http://www.wrinkledart.com/the%20blocked%20tunnel.html

 

[mionic]

Well, as have been said several times already; all games are art.
some flash games tend to feel more artsy, such as the ones Extra Credits covered in "games you might not have heard of"

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Shadow of the Colossus.

It's hard to describe why. Firstly, with very few words it tells a compelling story of a guy who is willing to scale and SLAY mountains to save a girl he loves. And the jaw-droppingly awesome ending has a LOT of playable segments that really drive home what's going on.

Not to mention that you FEEL small and insignificant. You really do feel like a simple, normal mortal taking on godlike ancient beings. You have a near useless bow, and a puny sword that you can barely swing, and yet you are climbing up and trying to kill monsters that are literal moving mountains. So each time you slay one, you feel like you just took on the world and WON.

I got so into it that when I was facing the last one, I was TAUNTING IT in game. Every time it missed me, or I made progress towards its weakspot, I made the hero whistle as if to say "I'm still here. I'm still alive. I'm still coming for you". It's rare that a game pulls me in that much.

So yeah, that's why I feel Shadow of the Colossus is art.

 

[godofgamers]

Killer7
Crysis (it looks better than the Mona Lisa)
Half-Life 1 and 2
Portal
Limbo
Possibly God of War 1

And of course, ET for the Atari 2600, which absolutely and irreversibly redefined the already low, low standard for "bad". I'm serious, it goes on my list just for that. If they made a game version of Plan 9 from Outer Space, it would likely end up on here too. After all, the purpose of art is partially to make us appreciate things more, like when you watch Schindler's List and think about how glad you are that you weren't a Jew in Nazi Germany. And nothing makes you appreciate whatever game you're playing more than knowing that there is a far crappier game out there, presumably in a landfill in New Mexico.

 

[GamerAddict7796]

Fallout 3
Oblivion
Fable II
That's about it!
(Woah! I play to many Western RPGs!)

 

[AntonicKnight]

Portal,Bioshock,Mass Effect...it could be that I simply consider them well written and designed.