Can Video Games Be Considered Art?

Video games are art. The debate that whether these electronically supported, digital means of entertainment should be considered artistic or not, is losing its steam rapidly. Video games have always fallen prey to the harsh critical views and time and again questioned about their presentations. Even before falling into this art debate, video games had a hard time to be even considered as a fun activity. Their several side effects, always put them in sidelines to get a deserving appreciation for their aesthetic beauty. However, if these games are played discreetly, and savored slowly, a whole new reality and interactive experience awaits its user.

Though the bigger question here is, why video games were not considered as art? The answer lies in the way any common person sees art. Ask any individual to describe art and the responses will be limited to paintings, portraits, sculptures and monuments. The word ‘art’ has shaped its meaning in such way that it is more of an impulsive thought while giving examples for the word. Therefore, slowly movies, books, and other performing arts got included in the definition, and finally the latest entrant is interactive media. As the word is self-explanatory, there is a degree of interaction between the actual thing (video games in this case) and the user. There are several meanings and definitions of art, but in simple terms, art is a form of communication. A person (artist) creates something to present to his/her audience and tries to connect through his creation. Therefore, it’s a simple relationship between these parties, and the audience can reject a work piece if the connection is not achieved, but as always societal view as whole has disturbed this relationship. Why that is some intellectual or so-called experts give tags according to their intelligence? Why that is even to this day video games are not given their share of respect in field of art?

Like there is someone behind the creation of a painting, or any other art piece, similarly there might be one or one thousand people behind a video game. Each and every one channelizes that unique human creativity, emotions and countless hours of hard work to deliver a one final product. If people consider stunning scenic landscapes as art, then video games have got that. If strong portray of emotions through enactment is artistic, then video games have got that. Likewise, whether it is music, visuals, narration or any other activity deemed to be worthy as artistic, then video games have got that. A story is set in motion by designs and animations, ever-changing environment which is supported by dynamic background music, and of course human as well as wildlife emotions through motion capture, the possibilities are limitless in this form of art. For a long time, video games were criticized to have a set or pre-determined ending. How can such media be considered as art? Well, this was resolved too as the biggest strength of video games is their interactivity which can change the overall story and may even result in multiple endings.

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Let’s understand the importance of interactivity with taking cues from a novel and a movie based on same novel. An avid reader would agree that reading a book means devoting a lot of personal effort and time. Reader forms images and situations in his mind while going through a written work of someone. He forms a connection with the characters, and becomes a part of the story. But in case of the movie everything is presented on a plate to the viewer. Pace is faster, details are cut short and most importantly, the viewer doesn’t feel that level of interpersonal connection in case of book. Although, I am definitely not criticizing movies and they have their own plethora of unmatched experiences. So, coming back to video games, there should be some clarity that why these are in a different league compared to any other art form or even entertainment form. These are the epitome of mediums providing interaction. The user or player starts the game and controls a character and immediately handed the responsibility of the character’s wellbeing. Now whether the player wishes to quickly progress through story or to enjoy the vast in game environment, cherish the background score, or doing hundred other things, no one’s judging him to play how he wishes.

I myself am a Sony’s PlayStation 4 player. I have played a range of video games and like me there are millions of gamers who will agree without any guilt that these things can quickly become an addiction, or many of them do not do justice to other outstanding releases. But today we have reached on a level, where video games are the most in-demand form of media. I have played such games which have gone so far as to show me my different side as a human being. To explain how far gaming industry has come, I would give an example of a genre defining game Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2. Set in 1899, in America, when it was the time of Wild West, it follows the story of an outlaw (our protagonist), as we have to complete missions, but we can freely explore a vast open world, carry out robberies, shootouts, horseback riding, hunting and so all. But the game’s biggest selling point is the ability to interact with any non-playable character or NPCs. In video games, NPCs are the characters which are not controlled by player but via computer algorithm. In this game, through our protagonist we can indulge in a conversation with any NPC. There is an option to greet, antagonize or rob any random person. Each and every choice has a ripple effect which shapes the overall story and even the ending of the game. There is a mechanism of honor rating in this game where the player’s behavior has direct impact on his reputation. If the player is violent, and poses threat to NPCs, or continuously commits crimes like robberies for earnings, then the game will adjust accordingly. Law enforcement would be stricter and the NPCs would be unwelcoming and pass out verbal abuse. But if the player wants to play honorably, the game also allows so. By greeting everyone, helping someone in distress, saving the lives of injured and carrying out such good tasks increases the characters honor meter. Such feature in a form of entertainment media is no small deal. There were times when I had a choice either to spare my enemy or just kill him on the spot. I felt that those decisions challenging at times and I was in awe that how a simple video game can put me in a tough spot. I highly doubt that there will be any other form of media that can provide such a level of interactivity.

I took only one example from various such great games only to prove the sheer hard work and creativity is used to create a single video game. It’s not like I am a gamer so my opinion is inclined towards them, rather I play them to wander into a world where I am once again given a chance to live a life with being someone else entirely, with a completely different setting. Although video games have faced many hurdles in past, people who have a soft corner for them can have sigh of relief that the future belongs to video games. As movies benefitted from advanced technology (increased cinemas, better equipment, etc.) and before it in case of books (better publishing, designing), same way future holds unlimited scope for video games. There will not be just peeking and appreciating a piece of work from 10 feet distance, but the users will literally live someone’s creation. Virtual reality, motion sensing, recognizing human emotions and such things are not futuristic vision but a true reality. Therefore, what video games have to offer in future is just a matter of time.

The conclusion is based only on a simple yet thought provoking statement, if one can observe the work of another and find a personal connection in it, then art has been achieved. Like previously mentioned, art in its core meaning is a form of communication. Museums are visited by millions of people because they might find interesting what they are looking at. They might share some vision behind an eccentric piece of stone, or someone may understand that why Da Vinci didn’t bother to give eyebrows to Mona Lisa. People may relate to any form of art and it is ultimately an audience which can make or break someone’s creation. If people find that video games are capable enough to narrate a story beautifully, or it just provides them their money’s worth no questions asked, then objecting such connection is not worth the futile result. The result as you all know now is that video games are not only considered as work of art, but they will redefine the word and inspire many to unlock the unimaginable.