Computer Games as Art
August 13th 2007 03:32
I first thought about this when I found out that my youngest brother Ethan told me that he wanted to use a video game as a text in an English assignment. Fallout. He did this (and remarked to me about a young lad named Cameron and the doubts he has about his origins, whether his parents were married or even human) and it seems to have gone down well. And it made me think about the kinds of video games that I think have actually gone and done more for me than give me a few hours of mindless destructive fun.
A letter from a gamer like myself is evidence that I am at least, not alone in this. Really Long Link
The fact of the matter is, is that games are approaching and exceeding, the same levels of production that goes into a movie. The storyline, music and general atmospheric immersion of Halflife 2, Oblivion and the later episodes of Final Fantasy are comparable with many Hollywood productions. Please don't get me wrong. A round of Counterstrike is not artistic. No matter how creative you might get when cursing that $#^&ing awper who head shots you through a &*#ing wall! (Ethan suggests that I see Lan-o-Geddon on Pure Pwnage Episode 8)
I mentioned this to Natalie (who is in town at the moment) and we chatted about it. She said that people thought originally that television was a mindless activity with little to no merit. Looking at the depth and breadth of certain shows now available for viewing, I would happily say that some do transcend mere entertainment and jump straight into the realm of art. The Simpsons are great example of how a minor form of entertainment can become social commentary. Funny and satirical, they do make us look at the society in which we live and laugh at the foibles we observe and question the things that we accept too readily.
The main part of why I do think like this is because I have played games that for me, have helped me to do a lot more than simply pass time and enjoy myself. They gave me ideas for writing, food for thought, and quite often, a lot of good times.
JZ
A letter from a gamer like myself is evidence that I am at least, not alone in this. Really Long Link
The fact of the matter is, is that games are approaching and exceeding, the same levels of production that goes into a movie. The storyline, music and general atmospheric immersion of Halflife 2, Oblivion and the later episodes of Final Fantasy are comparable with many Hollywood productions. Please don't get me wrong. A round of Counterstrike is not artistic. No matter how creative you might get when cursing that $#^&ing awper who head shots you through a &*#ing wall! (Ethan suggests that I see Lan-o-Geddon on Pure Pwnage Episode 8)
I mentioned this to Natalie (who is in town at the moment) and we chatted about it. She said that people thought originally that television was a mindless activity with little to no merit. Looking at the depth and breadth of certain shows now available for viewing, I would happily say that some do transcend mere entertainment and jump straight into the realm of art. The Simpsons are great example of how a minor form of entertainment can become social commentary. Funny and satirical, they do make us look at the society in which we live and laugh at the foibles we observe and question the things that we accept too readily.
The main part of why I do think like this is because I have played games that for me, have helped me to do a lot more than simply pass time and enjoy myself. They gave me ideas for writing, food for thought, and quite often, a lot of good times.
JZ
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Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen
The video game industry is a 500 billion dollar industry. I'm sure the guys who are playing World of Warcraft are swimming in money and laughing themselves to sleep.
I used to be a big fan of Fallout! Especially Fallout 2! Fallout 2 was the bomb!
Comment by JoshZ
Fallout2 was brilliant.
As far as World of Warcrack goes, this month marks my one year anniversary of being freed from ym addiction.
Hope to see you back soon,
JZ