2. They Have No Artistic Value
With video games becoming a larger part of our society, the discussion of whether they can actually be considered an art form has grown more heated. For players, it is so obvious it isnt really a question. For the unfamiliar, it remains to be seen. The most highly publicized debate remains between film critic Roger Ebert and players. Ebert famously declared the video games can not be art, and players jumped on his case for it instantly. To be fair, Ebert presents a well thought out argument and doesnt deserve the venom spewed at him by so many gamers. However, admitting this, I couldnt disagree with him more. One reason some think video games cannot be art is that, because of the players interaction and personal direction of the experience, the author no longer retains authorship and therefore it no longer expresses their creativity. But any gamer will tell you that this isnt the case at all. Every game is 100% painstakingly directed by the developers down to the very last piece of code. Any feeling of freedom within the confines of the established rules is a welcome illusion. Basically, you cannot do what the developers dont want to you to do. The authors vision remains intact and the player is allowed to explore that vision. This is gaming at its very core. Sure, it involves rules and an end goal, but every art form has rules within itself. Whether all games can be considered art is up for debate, but every game has the potential. Like any art form, it all depends on skill and the artists ability to get their vision across to its audience.