Comments on: The Video Game as Art http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/ a blog in ever-shifting standing Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:27:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: <HTMLGIANT> > Blog Archive » Video Game Art: ‘Passage’ http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/comment-page-1/#comment-255143 <HTMLGIANT> > Blog Archive » Video Game Art: ‘Passage’ Wed, 27 May 2009 05:40:21 +0000 http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/#comment-255143 [...] trying it out, which loses the appeal) here is a particularly well-stated summary of the ideas from Edward Champion’s blog: Jason Roher’s surprisingly touching game, Passage, freely available for download and released a [...] [...] trying it out, which loses the appeal) here is a particularly well-stated summary of the ideas from Edward Champion’s blog: Jason Roher’s surprisingly touching game, Passage, freely available for download and released a [...]

]]> By: Tina Anderson http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/comment-page-1/#comment-240801 Tina Anderson Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:32:38 +0000 http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/#comment-240801 Video games have their detractors, but when it comes right down to it, the possibility of using them as a learning tool for children, along with the increased hand/eye coordination and the physical activity involved with the Wii, I believe there are more positives than negatives. Video games will be a huge part of our educational system in the near future. Video games have their detractors, but when it comes right down to it, the possibility of using them as a learning tool for children, along with the increased hand/eye coordination and the physical activity involved with the Wii, I believe there are more positives than negatives. Video games will be a huge part of our educational system in the near future.

]]> By: Ralfy http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/comment-page-1/#comment-240569 Ralfy Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:06:51 +0000 http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/#comment-240569 You are certainly right. Indeed, video games should be seen in the same light as film. It should be noted, though, that the issue isn't that video games lack the depth as film but that both lack depth compared to media such as the written word. It'd be interesting, too, to consider the reactions of present video gamers years from now to new media that might replace video games. Finally, there are also some problems with arguments raised in favor of video games. For example, one can receive similar hand and eye coordination from sports. One can get interactivity from ordinary activities such as sports and board games. And the same visual experiences can be received from film, video technology not necessarily involving video games, paintings, sculpture, and so forth. You are certainly right. Indeed, video games should be seen in the same light as film. It should be noted, though, that the issue isn’t that video games lack the depth as film but that both lack depth compared to media such as the written word.

It’d be interesting, too, to consider the reactions of present video gamers years from now to new media that might replace video games.

Finally, there are also some problems with arguments raised in favor of video games. For example, one can receive similar hand and eye coordination from sports. One can get interactivity from ordinary activities such as sports and board games. And the same visual experiences can be received from film, video technology not necessarily involving video games, paintings, sculpture, and so forth.

]]> By: Alex http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/comment-page-1/#comment-240519 Alex Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:21:04 +0000 http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/#comment-240519 Bioshock was the best experience I've had in game narrative since Myst. There are a number of surprising reversals in it that work like a the reveals in a classic noir film. And they managed to take the limited free will games offer up and work it into the story. And GTA was fascinating for how it forced the player to define a moral code in order to advance in the game. That said, I don't think either of them would be worth the gameplay hours if you measure your cultural consumption by "moments of gravitas" per minute instead of "entertaining explosions" per minute. Bioshock was the best experience I’ve had in game narrative since Myst. There are a number of surprising reversals in it that work like a the reveals in a classic noir film. And they managed to take the limited free will games offer up and work it into the story.

And GTA was fascinating for how it forced the player to define a moral code in order to advance in the game.

That said, I don’t think either of them would be worth the gameplay hours if you measure your cultural consumption by “moments of gravitas” per minute instead of “entertaining explosions” per minute.

]]> By: Patrick Stephenson http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/comment-page-1/#comment-240470 Patrick Stephenson Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:03:01 +0000 http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/#comment-240470 Strange you included a screenshot from "BioShock," a game many have called videogaming's first release equivalent to "Citizen Kane," without even mentioning it! Strange you included a screenshot from “BioShock,” a game many have called videogaming’s first release equivalent to “Citizen Kane,” without even mentioning it!

]]> By: B http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/comment-page-1/#comment-240458 B Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:44:58 +0000 http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/#comment-240458 I have a hard time getting a non-incredulous reaction when I say this to people, but one of the most affecting artistic experiences I've had in the last five years is playing <i>Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas</i>. Playing C.J., the SoCal gangbanger who's the protagonist and anti-hero of the story, made me feel immersed into that world in a way that is not necessarily superior to, but certainly different from, TV, movies and books. The freedom to make moral choices yourself instead of merely witnessing an author's choices adds immeasurably to the experience of the story. I think what makes <i>GTA:SA</i> so different from a TV series or graphic novel is that, even though there is a scripted plot, you're not necessarily propelled through that plot the way you are through a conventional narrative. A typical thriller probably won't have the protagonist take an extended hiatus, driving a 4x4 up and down a mountain road for five hours just for the hell of it. But in the game you've got this rich environment that can just be experienced without regard to standard plot conventions or restrictions. It's sort of like on <i>Star Trek</i> when the characters enter those holo-novels. I think the coolest thing about that would be that, if you wanted to, you could just completely disregard the story and screw around with the characters or go explore the city or whatever. Maybe not even conform to your scripted character but go work at a supermarket or something. That was something really interesting about the game <i>Fable</i> -- that you could easily lump the whole epic plot and forget about defeating "Jack of Blades" or whatever and spend your entire time with the game as a merchant. It's basically like playing "pretend," but with much higher production values. I have a hard time getting a non-incredulous reaction when I say this to people, but one of the most affecting artistic experiences I’ve had in the last five years is playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Playing C.J., the SoCal gangbanger who’s the protagonist and anti-hero of the story, made me feel immersed into that world in a way that is not necessarily superior to, but certainly different from, TV, movies and books. The freedom to make moral choices yourself instead of merely witnessing an author’s choices adds immeasurably to the experience of the story.

I think what makes GTA:SA so different from a TV series or graphic novel is that, even though there is a scripted plot, you’re not necessarily propelled through that plot the way you are through a conventional narrative. A typical thriller probably won’t have the protagonist take an extended hiatus, driving a 4×4 up and down a mountain road for five hours just for the hell of it. But in the game you’ve got this rich environment that can just be experienced without regard to standard plot conventions or restrictions.

It’s sort of like on Star Trek when the characters enter those holo-novels. I think the coolest thing about that would be that, if you wanted to, you could just completely disregard the story and screw around with the characters or go explore the city or whatever. Maybe not even conform to your scripted character but go work at a supermarket or something. That was something really interesting about the game Fable — that you could easily lump the whole epic plot and forget about defeating “Jack of Blades” or whatever and spend your entire time with the game as a merchant.

It’s basically like playing “pretend,” but with much higher production values.

]]> By: Susan http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/comment-page-1/#comment-240457 Susan Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:31:29 +0000 http://www.edrants.com/the-video-game-as-art/#comment-240457 Good argument. You can actually learn something from a game, or improve your hand/eye coordination or memory. Usually I feel more guilty about passing the time playing a game instead of a movie (and both instead of reading a book), but they each have their place. Games can have stories too. Ebert doesn't play any games that I know of, so he really can't judge. Good argument. You can actually learn something from a game, or improve your hand/eye coordination or memory. Usually I feel more guilty about passing the time playing a game instead of a movie (and both instead of reading a book), but they each have their place. Games can have stories too. Ebert doesn’t play any games that I know of, so he really can’t judge.

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