Are Video Games Art?

Modern and Contemporary Art

Are Video Games Art?

09/16/2010

So, just what is art? It is difficult to define just what makes a work of art due to the fact it is not objective. Ask any two people how they define art and you will most likely get two very different responses. Art is something that is created to communicate information, to serve a purpose in daily life, to touch the heart, express the thoughts and opinions of the artist, or just to be enjoyed. But to be a true work of art it needs something more than that, a true work of art will allow whoever views it to see though it as a small window to the heart and mind of the artist.

Looking around my room right now, as I type this assignment, I see many things that could be easily described as art. Handmade jewelry, portraits of family members, books for both entertainment and learning, many music CD's… but I am going to select something that many people do not consider to be art and explain why I see that it is art. On a shelf on the one side of my room there is a collection of video games for my computer and for my various game systems. There are many people who would say that a video game is not a form of art, and it is true that there are some that I would find it difficult to call art, but it is the same way with paintings. Many paintings are recognized as famous works of art while others are written off as trash.

So now I am going to offer support to my belief that video games can be counted as art by pointing out that many of the functions of art can be accomplished by the creation of a video game. Art can be used to communicate information, which is done in many games that realistically depict locations, people, and events from the past and from present day. In Assassin's Creed II the player can explore many historically accurate buildings and landmarks. Art can be created to touch the heart and spirit of those enjoying it, to evoke a specific emotion or many emotions. In a video game...