Are Video Games a Form of Art?

And I'm Emma Wells. Out of the mouths of nine-year-olds. This is one of my favorite subjects, actually, because I used to think games were just entertainment for kids, but my opinion has completely changed.

A few years ago, I played a game called 'Journey', where you travel through a desert as a robed figure, and there's almost no dialogue at all.

Exactly. By the end, I was genuinely moved, almost to tears, and I realized this felt more like watching a beautiful film than playing a typical game.

Right, and that game even got turned into a television show because the story was so well-written and emotionally rich.

Art typically expresses emotion, tells a story, or makes us think about the world differently. And honestly, the best games do all of that.

Absolutely. Some studios hire concept artists who trained in fine arts before working in the gaming industry.

That's true. I've been to a concert where an orchestra played music from 'The Legend of Zelda' series, and it was just as moving as any classical concert.

Some critics argue that games are primarily designed to be fun and interactive, which makes them different from art meant purely for reflection or appreciation.

That's a great comparison, actually. Interactivity doesn't necessarily remove the artistic value; it might even add a new dimension to it.

Right, take a game like 'Detroit: Become Human'. Your decisions completely change the story's outcome, which gives players a personal connection most films can't offer.

That emotional response is exactly what good art is supposed to trigger. It makes you reflect on your own values and decisions.

Yes! The Smithsonian in Washington actually had an exhibition called 'The Art of Video Games' some years back. That felt like a turning point for how society views games.

It does. Although I think there's still a generational gap. Older generations sometimes struggle to see games the same way they see paintings or novels.

Exactly, whereas younger generations grew up experiencing complex storytelling through games first, so it feels completely natural to them.

Some big games reportedly take anywhere from three to seven years to develop, involving hundreds of artists, writers, musicians, and programmers working together.

Definitely. And just like film directors, some game designers have become recognized as visionary artists, like Hideo Kojima or Shigeru Miyamoto.

Exactly, his games make players question reality, technology, and human connection, which sounds a lot like what great literature or cinema does.

I think so. Not everyone feels comfortable walking into an art gallery, but almost anyone can pick up a controller and start experiencing a story.

Right, and mobile games have expanded that even further. Games like 'Monument Valley' are beautiful, artistic puzzles accessible to anyone with a smartphone.

It really was. So even short, simple mobile games can carry serious artistic weight if the creators put thought into the design.

That's true for some games, especially ones designed around microtransactions. But that doesn't erase the artistic value of games made with genuine creative vision.

Exactly, it's unfair to judge an entire medium by its worst examples. We wouldn't dismiss all films because some are low-quality.

I do, wholeheartedly. Not every game reaches that level, but the best ones combine storytelling, music, and visuals in ways that rival any traditional art form.

Let's shift a bit and talk about indie games, the ones made by small teams instead of huge companies. I feel like they push the artistic boundaries even further sometimes.

Exactly. A game like 'Undertale' was made mostly by one person, and it completely reinvented how players think about choices and consequences within a game.

Right, and 'Papers, Please' is another indie game that made players confront moral dilemmas as a border officer, which felt more like political commentary than entertainment.

That's actually something unique to games as a medium. The gameplay itself can carry meaning, which isn't something books or films can fully replicate.

That's an interesting question. I'd argue esports is more like a sport than an art form, since it focuses on skill, competition, and reflexes rather than emotional storytelling.

That's true, there's definitely elegance in watching a highly skilled player execute a perfect combo or strategy during a tournament.

I think so, actually. Those early games were groundbreaking for their time, and they influenced an entire generation of designers who came after them.

That's a great comparison. Just because the technology was limited doesn't mean the creativity behind those games wasn't genuinely impressive for its era.

I've only tried VR a few times, but I remember feeling completely transported into another world, which is something no painting or film has ever done for me.

I think as the technology improves, VR could become one of the most powerful storytelling tools we've ever had, assuming developers use it thoughtfully.

Definitely. There are historical games that let you explore ancient Egypt or Greece in incredible detail, teaching history in a way textbooks simply can't match.

Exactly, and some language learning apps even use game-like elements to keep users motivated, which shows how powerful this format really is beyond pure entertainment.

It really does. Whether it's games, podcasts, or stories, engaging formats seem to help information stick far better than passive learning ever could.

They actually do now. Major publications have dedicated game critics who analyze narrative structure, pacing, and thematic depth, just like film critics do.

Absolutely. There are even academic courses now at universities dedicated entirely to studying video game design and its cultural impact.

I actually interviewed a game design lecturer once, back in my newspaper days, and I was surprised how much overlap there was with film studies and creative writing.

Let's talk about award shows too. There are now major award ceremonies just for video games, similar to the Oscars or the Grammys.

That kind of recognition matters a lot, I think, because it validates the years of creative work that goes into making these experiences.

Great recommendation. You might be surprised by how deeply a game can affect you, especially when you slow down and truly experience it rather than just rushing through it. Let's also mention how game art has crossed over into other industries. Fashion brands have collaborated with game franchises, and museums sell prints of famous game landscapes.

Right, and some of those adaptations, like 'Arcane' based on 'League of Legends', ended up being praised even by people who had never played the original game.

Let's wrap up by imagining the future. Where do you think games will be, artistically, in another twenty years from now?

I agree. Future generations might not even question whether games are art. They'll just accept it the same way we accept film and photography today.

Thank you, Jack! It's always fun discussing something we both feel passionate about.

Exactly. Approach a good game the same way you'd approach a good film, with an open mind, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

Remember, a little practice every day makes a big difference. See you next time!