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Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited


DarkFire1004

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

When in doubt, Obe's trolling.
 
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Obeliskos

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

:'(
 

Sinfulwolf

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

My purpose of dropping Halo/CoD out of the discussion was the off tangent it was leading towards about realism of CoD being a deciding factor on artistic quality. And as your successor posts,
This is why someone can say CoD or Halo is not art. Because as shiny and nice as it is, it is not, in itself, a piece of art, despite having beauty inside it (among other arguable artistic qualities). While a game such as Braid, which exists specifically for it's storytelling method and the fullness of what it represents, to not be called art, would be like saying the Mona Lisa isn't art because it's just paint and a canvas, or like saying that Romeo and Juliet can't be considered art anymore because it's reprinted in highschool textbooks.

What I'm saying is, the medium cannot decide if something is or is not art.


My purpose for stepping in here was to end the debate of if games can be art, because the answer is a resounding "Yes."

The discussion should, if it is to continue, simply be redirected into more of a question on which games are art.


p.s. my comment "shame on you", was meant as humorous barb, and encouragement to go play what is a very good game. Not actually berating anyone for not playing it. And if you call that intro post a good way to start a thread, I think I'll take your dislike of me as a compliment.

And now, I am out of here, as I'm not feeding the troll anymore.
See, now that makes much more sense. The original way you had said it, it almost sounded like "Braid is art, nothing else in this medium is", which is the main reason I snapped at ye.

And yer not feeding the troll if you are adding to a proper discussion, no?
 

Unknown Squid

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

DID SOMEONE JUST SHIT ON MAH HALO?
Nah they said it's not art. The sandwich I'm eating isn't art either, and if that makes it shit then I'm very worried.

Thinking about it at the moment, it's definitely harder to pick out mainstream games as being overall artistic. Though as we've all said they can have their moments. Except for the details of "what is art", which is an entirely different matter, I think the question here is actually very simple, and has been answered here several times now. We all seem to agree on that part. I'm more interested in seeing what games or parts of games people here would consider artistic, in whatever deinition of art you choose to use. A unique style or visuals, something revolutionary or inspiring, or that moves you.

I suppose I can pick out the Homeworld series as one which comes to mind. Both do it, though I'm talking about Homeworld 1 a little more. For a game that virtually never lets you see any "characters" directly, I really found myself connecting with the plight of the fleet of exiles you were tasked with leading home safely. When the Taidan are destroying the cryo trays (full of thousands of your people promised a new life), I wasn't saving them for the resource bonus, it was the implied helpless civilians inside getting pummelled with rail gun rounds that I was trying to save. The whole concept of the story, the visuals and carefully picked audio to go with it all added up. While it certainly looks heavily dated by today's standards, the graphics then were the best view of sci-fi space anyone had seen. For something as presumably featureless as space Relic really gave you something to look at. When your fleet is getting brutally assaulted and your losing ships left and right to the sound of the game's choral version of Adagio for Strings, you really worry about each individual ship your losing. Unlike the measly technical and legal pamphlets that come with games today, the original Homeworld manual was a full sized inch thick book. It didn't say manual on the front, it was titled as a "Technical & Historical Briefing". The entire first half was pure story and history of the game world, giving bios on each of the historical clans (which weren't even mentioned in the game), detailing their conflict and eventual uniting upon the discovery of their origins. It explained the progress of their work on the mothership project and the technology used. In something similar to a typical hints and tips section, the manual instead featured an argument between two admirals on the strategic use of strike craft and capital ships in battle. They seriously don't make em like they used to.

Old tribute vid I found long ago...

End cut scene of the first game...


This is actually the game that made me love Adagio for Strings. Every time I hear it now I recall the epic and tragic struggle as they push their way though a harsh and brutal galaxy to find their homeworld. I wanted to post the credits video with it's music too, but it seems youtubes WMG nazi squad have silenced it.
 

24FM

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

Art is subjective. Squid the sandwich you are eatting or ate by now might not be considered art by you. But by someone else might consider it to be art because in their eyes is(was now) the perfect sandwich. Isn't abstract art a good example?

Obe.
"The goal isn't really to express a vision or anything when it comes to video games. It's to make money."
Why can't they do both?
Why can't a game like Heavy Rain be considered art?
 
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Obeliskos

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

Don't fucking call me Obe, you 34 post scrub. You will address me as Sir Obeliskos, the Great Knight of Camelot.

No but seriously I already said this is a stupid thing to debate about imo, so I merely brought it up for you guys to go crazy over. Stop trying to drag me into it.
 

Kusanagi

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

Personally, I agree with take on the matter.

Especially the part about trying to impregnate a dishwasher.

Then again, I guess it depends on the kind of dishwasher...
 

Zenath

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

Personally, I agree with take on the matter.

Especially the part about trying to impregnate a dishwasher.

Then again, I guess it depends on the kind of dishwasher...
Agreed. I particularly liked the point about controversy over 'modern art'. While hardly an art buff, a lot of the things that attract attention from the media in 'modern art' I would quite happily rate below one or two games I could mention - notably The Path.
 

BurningGold

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited



Watch the last few minutes if you don't want to watch the entire thing.
 

handofdoz

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

Okami was art

it all depends on what you consider art. technically the shape of cars is considered an art, if they are designed to be good looking and make you want to buy it. i dont see why the same cant be for video games, the following is from:

1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of making friends>

see bungie's making of halo reach

2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural : liberal arts b archaic : learning, scholarship

somewhere i read that a class referenced starcraft when teaching about economy

3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ building>

i cant make a video game because i dont know how

4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) : fine arts (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art

id asume the graphics in a video game count as graphic art

5 a archaic : a skillful plan b : the quality or state of being artful

dunno bout that one, but 5-6 ain't bad

6 : decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

for the printed bit see the cover art of the boxen the games come in
 
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DarkFire1004

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

I think Team Fortress 2 can be considered art. The graphics Valve used is pretty different compared to the rest of their games, like Half Life. It almost feels like it's sending me a message. A message that says the Crit-a-Cola is for noob scouts.
 
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Obeliskos

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

<33
 

handofdoz

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

any challenges to my definitions of art, im ready to argue this one out to the end.
 

ToxicShock

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Re: Are games art? A popular debate that I've recently revisited

No, but I find it funny that you said your definition
 
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