10 Biggest Mainstream Misconceptions About Video Games

7. That Games Are Not, And Cannot Be, Art

Art is a wonderful concept, because it means nothing and everything at the same time. Incredibly subjective, you need only take a walk around a gallery and listen to other people ruminate their different opinions over the same works to get a feel for it. To some, art is classical, paintings made with love, commitment and incredible skill. To others it's a dead cow in formaldehyde. Regardless, it's still art, still provoking a response whether it's adoration or condemnation, and many pieces are held in high regard for it. So why can't games be art? After all, games have a concept, a vision, an execution, they can provoke emotional responses as far ranging as sheer anger and devastating heartbreak. The indie game scene is fit to burst with games that are so wonderfully conceived and directed they should be appreciated on a more academic level for a start. Games like Limbo, Journey, Braid and The Unfinished Swan are all seminal works with a look and feel unlike anything else in gaming. Not to suggest that Call Of Duty should be put on display in the Tate, but there are certainly some strong contenders for gaming to be considered art.