Do you think computer games can be considered art?

The computer game industry has change in the last tears. There are the huge AAA games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto that are arguably more akin to blockbuster films, but other part of the industry has become more interesting, independent game studios known as ‘indies’ that are developing more creative, unique gameplay experiences that have led more and more people to question whether computer games can be considered works of art.

Videogames are or are not an art form that has long been debated by experts, analysts and anyone fanatic or not of this entertainment medium. Personally, I don't doubt it. Video games are a modern art form, just as cinema has been for almost a century, and even exceed it in many ways, although not in others.

The video games are art seems self-evident to many, due mostly to their emphasis on play and fun, historically, art has always been a performance of some kind, and games fall firmly into that category. Games are about meaning, emotion, purpose, storytelling, abstract systems and imitation. These attributes cover many of the definitions of art conceived of by art theorists through the ages. Why games are art? Are Video Games Art? Games are art in more ways than one.  

The art of play involves expression creativity and flair, and we live out stories through our actions.

The video game understood as an art

The world of videogames and movies are almost identical. Both have a script, an artistic design, a soundtrack, photography, etc. The only thing that differentiates them, and that makes the game very special, is the interaction and exploration of the environment.

But are not all video games been considered art. because exist a lot of games that are unoriginal, or those that don’t convey any important ideas, but They are art in a way that some people consider a child’s drawing art. We have a tendency to rank art by how high class it is. Some art is considered “high art” and some is “low art.” At the end of the day, it is all a matter of opinion.

In any of the arts we are mere passive spectators who have no choice about history. Someone decides each action for us and we have no choice but to enjoy it as much as possible. Meanwhile video games make us an active receiver, where we decide what to do, how to do it and when to do it.

Video games are not for everyone, but next time you find yourself looking at a video game, could you pause and think about the efforts that went into making it and the number of people who honed their skills to create a product for people to enjoy.