Moore 1

Devon Moore

Mrs. Cramer

Comp 1

11/30/2018

Video Games: A Genuine Art Form

There is an ever-growing controversy stirring by those who dabble in the arts;

particularly regarding whether video games are considered a form of art. Now there are varying

opinions on the issue, but one thing is for certain: intellectual artistic elements are implemented

in video games. From the game's graphics, to its soundtrack, and its narrative if one is provided.

So are video games considered a work of art? Seeing that video games are a product featuring a

lot of artistic elements, it is most simply obvious that – yes, video games are indeed a work of

art.1

One of the ways in which video games are most definitely considered a work of art is by

its graphics. The mainstream setup of most video games features a mass number of visual

elements that keeps the player captivated in its world. From the layout of the video games virtual

environment, obtainable in-game items, to character customization. Regardless if the graphic

design work that makes up the video games visual elements is clean and realistic or in an 8-bit

format; the graphic design work gives each video game product its own unique, distinct style.

The same can be said for works of art in various other forms, such as sculptures, illustrations,

and written works. Video games, without a doubt, come in a variety of different, uniquely

1Enthymeme – provides a rhetorical question alongside a factual, supporting response.

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created artistic styles just as other art forms like music, illustrations, and intellectually created

literary works. 2

Another way in which video games are a form of art is often there is a unique soundtrack

implemented in video games. In just the soundtracks of the games themselves, they have the

opportunity to tell a creative story. From representing a calm scene in a video games story

narrative with light acoustics, to a sudden transition into a scene that’s chaotic with heavy intense

piano music. The soundtrack in a video game helps bring about one or several tones through its

music tracks of varying genres. Music alone, beyond video games and all other things, helps

bring about a strong message and/or tells a story through its sound alone; no script or any other

elements necessary in order for it to exist. Music comes in a variety of different sounds, rhythms

and various other factors that makes songs and other sounds distinctly unique from one another.

Video games are the same way; in being developed in a variety of different, creative ways. For

example, video games can be created to help tell a story; and that story can be told through

varying styles of music and sound, gameplay mechanics, aesthetics, and other varying factors

that makes each video game unique in the industry.

Finally, another way in which video games are to be considered as an art form is through

its abilities to portray a specific concept and tell a story. Video games have the creative power to

virtually bring to live a sort of narrative – be it fantasized or otherwise – that players can

emotionally invest in and personally relate to. Through a well written script and a creative

storyline or well-thought concept, the possibilities are endless when it comes to what a video

game can portray to its audience – whomever that involves. For example, the video game

2
Exemplum- provides specific examples of how video games are an art form, having

various artistic elements like music, illustrations, and literary works.

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franchise “Life Is Strange” is a choice-based narrative type game, where the player is given the

ability to bend the games story to their well dependent on their choices. The games setup alone

introduces an interesting yet simple real-world concept that your choices have consequences.

Video games, much like various illustrations, music, and other art forms, they can have varying

meanings. Those meanings could be to entertain the player visually, psychologically, or in other

various ways, or perhaps tell a story that’s rooted deep in sorrow, anger, or other emotions. 3

In conclusion, it is fair to say that video games are indeed a form of art. Arguably you

could say it is a compilation of different art forms with involving visual illustrations/animations,

a well composed soundtrack, and potentially a unique storyline and concept. Video games, just

as much as any art form, have the power to express meaning as a product of varying different art

forms. As we view things such as theatrical performances in television and movies, that are also

a compilation of varying art forms, video games are not that much different. Only instead this

time, video games are an interactive alternative in the world of art.

3
Amplification – putting emphasis on how video games include emotional elemts, like
anger, sorrow, etc.
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Works Cited

1. Bertozzi, E. "Solarski, Chris. Interactive stories and video game art: a storytelling framework for
game design." CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, Sept. 2017, p. 95. Academic
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A503641456/AONE?u=pl1949&sid=AONE&xid=c0455
aa1. Accessed 18 Sept. 2018.

2. Hall, Stefan. "Video games as collaborative art." Phi Kappa Phi Forum, vol. 88, no. 1, 2008, p.
19. Academic
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A178177603/AONE?u=pl1949&sid=AONE&xid=cf78a
a2f. Accessed 18 Sept. 2018.

3. Deardorff, Nathan. “An Argument That Video Games Are, Indeed, High Art”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/berlinschoolofcreativeleadership/2015/10/13/an-argument-that-
video-games-are-indeed-high-art/#5342d9a07b3c Accessed 18 Sept. 2018
4. UnReal, 1998: Epic Games, Publisher GT Interactive “Legitimizing Video Games as an Art-Medium"
http://mediaartscultures.eu/jspui/bitstream/10002/328/1/Mike_Salmond_refresh.pdf
5. Lyles, Taylor “Video Games As Art?”
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/video-games-are-art January 16, 2017
6. Melissinos, Chris “Why gaming is now for adults and art lovers”
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/video-games-highest-form-of-art/index.html 11th November 2016
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There is an ever-growing controversy stirring by those who dabble in the arts; particularly regarding whether video games are considered a form of art. Now there are varying

opinions on the issue, but one thing is for certain: intellectual artistic elements are implemented in video games. From the game's graphics, to its soundtrack, and its narrative if one is provided.

So, are video games considering a work of art? Seeing that video games are a product featuring a lot of artistic elements, it's fair to say simply that – yes, video games are indeed a work of art.

One of the ways in which video games are most definitely considered a work of art is by its graphics. The mainstream setup of most video games features a mass number of visual

elements that keeps the player captivated in its world. From the layout of the video games virtual environment, obtainable in-game items, to character customization. Regardless if the graphic

design work that makes up the video games visual elements is clean and realistic or in an 8-bit format; the graphic design work gives each video game product its own unique, distinct style. The

same can be said for works of art in various other forms, such as sculptures, illustrations, written works, et cetera.

Another way in which video games are a form of art is often there is a unique soundtrack implemented in video games. In just the soundtracks of the games themselves, they tell a

story. From representing a calm scene in a video games story narrative with light acoustics, to a sudden transition into a scene that’s chaotic with heavy intense piano music. The soundtrack in a

video game helps bring about one or several tones through its music tracks of varying genre.

Music alone, beyond video games and all other things, helps bring about a strong message and/or tells a story through its sound alone; no script or any other elements necessary for it to exist.