First, I have to answer some questions about games themselves. Can games be artistic? Is there art involved in creating games? Of course. But can a video game itself be considered a work of art? The answer is simply no. A game is a GAME...not something that can be experienced that a normal piece of art could be normally. Video games are defined by a set of rules, boundaries, and have some sort of end goal. In art, at least many forms of it, do not boundaries. Art can be interpreted openly and freely, in the eyes of the beholder.
Video games have a level of interactivity that no other medium has. It has a personal interaction with the player. Sometimes that interaction is an emotional experience, bringing the player joy, sadness, or even a sense of dread and fear. But this said interaction is sadly what prevents a video game from being art. Art does not have this level of interaction with a viewer. Art can elicit these emotions, but the artist does not grant the viewer with interaction. To simply gaze upon a painting is just that--gazing and experiencing what is before you.
This subject is really hard to fully explain, but interacting with something does not make it art. In a video game, it is often times a directed experienced, and you are being lead down a particular path, and more often than not to achieve a very specific goal. Art does not have this particular aspect. The artist might have a particular goal in mind for the piece of art, but person experiencing the art would not know what that goal is. Art is in the eyes of the beholder.
I would have to say the interaction with art is much more than a gaze. It evokes many emotions and requires the same amount of attention, if not more. It requires appreciation for it. You have to have appreciation for every piece, whether you get it, like it or hate it.
ReplyDeleteIn your last paragraph, I could not disagree more. I agree with up until the last point. A game designer is very much so an artist and from that stand point, it can be assumed they want to expressing something, same as an artist who wants to express something with a piece of art, whether you see it or not.
Video games may not be your standard art form but a lot goes into games, mainly to create a fun experience. It also should be noted that interactive digital art/experiences like Linger in Shadows are extensions of video games as art, if not verifiable proof that they should be universally considered art by all. The people who make them are artists and create from a vision. You're right, video games are made with parameters and such, something MOST art does not have but, all art is shaped from an idea, thought, feeling etc. and tries to express something, if the artists so chooses. And also you're right, a game is a game but, there are people who wish to express something with their work, interaction process has little to do with how you take in the art.
Your post makes video games sound very mechanical, which they have been in the past but, that is not so anymore. People can do anything with technology, even create art.