Since I have arrived at Champlain College, eagerly enrolled in the Game Art and Animation program here, I have heard this same question quite a few times: “Are video games art?” Well I don't want to force my opinion on anyone, and while I do believe it is pretty factual, I will leave it open, and state my reasons for believing so.
Let's look at what a video game is made up of. It usually begins with an idea of a game mechanic (these days, it is likely it must be unique). A game designer passes in this idea to the higher-ups, and if it gets approved, different fields of workers are pulled into the job. We have more designers, artists, and programmers (and producers, etc.).
So, designers – what do they do? Well, a VERY BASIC explanation would be that some write stories and some design levels (among the ones that work on mechanics, which were already mentioned).
Literature. It's something we consider art, isn't it? Stories and the like? Well, we have our designers writing narratives so that our video games have plots. So we have our plots and stories in our game. There may even be some character development. A story, whether it is in a video game or not, is art. And level design is an art in that the designer is almost an architect, placing themselves in the shoes of a game player, deciding what would not only function in the game the best, but what would be aesthetically pleasing also.
Artists' place in this debate is almost self explanatory, but here we go anyway. Typical “big name” video games have a vast department of many, many artists. Lead artists decide the overall look of the game, and instruct their department. Big video games have can have their departments divided up so much that some artists work strictly on animating water (like in Bioshock).
"We've hired a water programmer and water artist, just for this game, and they're kicking ass and you've never seen water like this." - Ken Levine, Designer of Bioshock
As Anthony DeLuca says in the interview, everything in Bioshock has to work together, simultaneously, as one living, breathing thing. It's the designers', artists' and programmers' job to get this done effectively, so that the player is immersed and has fun.
If you consider cooking, or culinary arts, a true form of art, this may be a stretch of a relationship, but please follow. Culinary art is another thing I'm into. It requires A LOT of thought. You might be thinking, “What's the big deal, it's just cooking and it looks nice.” Cooking is a science. Chefs add certain ingredients and have certain techniques to have effects like add to flavour, or to add texture, etc. For example, if you mix muffin dough too much, your muffins will come out dense, instead of light and fluffy. Here is a video from The Food Network Challenge – a show that has a lot of great examples of cooking as a science and an art:
See a sugar and chocolate sculpture!
With all of that said, I think video games are the same. They are a combination of science and art. Science, because a lot of thought must go into the psychological reactions of the player, relating to the aesthetic of the game, and the story of the game, and because of the programming aspect of the creative process. I think the science aspect is an argument people could use against video games being an art. Science does not overshadow art. It, in fact, works quite harmoniously with it.
Another reason I think people would argue against video games being art is that the point of video games does not get across to them. Someone who does not like a video game is probably less likely to consider it as much of an art form as oil paintings or marble sculptures. This might be behind the theory that a lot of people think video games are a lot of “KILL KILL KILL” action. My entire family pokes fun at me while I'm playing video games with questions like, “What are you killing today,” and statements like, “DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!” While a lot of video games require destruction, that is not always the point of the game. Most games I play are more for the social aspects. Yes, it is in our human nature to have fun destroying things in a world that is not ours, but that doesn't mean that's all we (game players) are about.
I admire game artists more than any other artists because of their ability to create worlds, usually completely from imagination, write it, sketch it, sculpt it, and make it “real” so that a player can interact with their world. The reason why you've ever become immersed in a video game is because of the art. If the art was not what it was, it would have been much more difficult. So, this art, to me, is the greatest form of art.
Works Cited:
1. “Bioshock Water Effects and Enemies Interview”. Perf. Anthony DeLuca. 23 September 2010. YouTube. 6 October 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixqJ1ff5mdw
2. “Exteme Candy Carnival – Food Network”. Perf. Tracy DeWitt. 21 July 2009. YouTube. 6 October 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SofWyy0MrEA
I think you're thinking of game narrative writer when describing designing the story of the a game. (More on Game Narration here if you're interested: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/1887-Video-Games-Bad-Writing)
ReplyDeleteThe designer is the one who comes up with idea, and decides how the game will work. He's the director. The torch bearer so to speak.
That being said, I agree with you in terms of whats an art and what isn't. Art is a matter of opinion and opinions, like what is beauty, can only truly be determined by the viewer.
As a GDD major I would consider video games an art, after all you have to make it. Could it be considered interactive art? Like a play you create the scenario and design the set, video games are created which makes them art.
ReplyDeleteArt is something that can only be decided from the eyes of the beholder. Whether you believe it to be art is up to you. For me personally, I believe that there are parts of video games that are art are parts that aren't. I wouldn't call an entire video game as a whole a piece of art but I certainly wouldn't say that no part of video game is art. Interesting article.
ReplyDeleteArt as a medium is being revolutionized by the emerging video game world. This revolutionary feel explains why people are so reluctant to except video games into the art world. In short, people are naturally resistant to change so any new progress in an area will meet resistance before it is accepted. This hurtle is where video games lie right now with the art community and the resistance is already showing signs of weakening. When the resistance is gone I believe that video games will usher in a new era of interactive artwork that will spur the progress of the art community as a whole to greater heights than have ever been previously imagined.
ReplyDeleteI agree, video games are an interactive art. I can amagin the skills, time and knowledge that go into creating just one level of a game. I like how you set up your arguement, very persuasive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Paul, I don't think an entire video game is art, but the anomation, and creation, a long with the creative thinking that goes into making the game are art. Although I do not know much about the gaming world, I consider a good video game to be more like a master peice, not a peice of work.
ReplyDeleteYou have convinced me to leave my post of thinking video games are...toys with little to no meaning....towards a view that is more accepting. Your comment about video game artists/designers crafting and creating new worlds, is an art that I can respect.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite amazing what the game developers can produce, but once you make everything as it is in real life how much farther can you push game development? I guess it will just have to depend on how the advancement in techonolgy happens.
ReplyDeleteI'm astonished to how much goes into a video games. There are so many important roles that are critical to the creation of it. The graphics and gameplay of a video game has changed alot over the years, and it's getting more and more realistic, so i think it's great form of art.
ReplyDeleteI agree that video games are art, especially considering all the time, science, and creative effort that goes into making one. While I have a very limited experience with video games beyond old school Mario and Wii fit, I would consider video games to be works of art, and each contributing individual an artist.
ReplyDeleteArt is completely subjective so something seen as beautiful and with great aesthetic appeal might look ugly and useless to another. Personally I consider video games to be an art...one that's very low on the totem pole.
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