Blog 8: Freestyle

Are Video Games art? 

 

Author Ian Bogost In his first three chapters goes over some interesting topics. In addition, Bogost brings awareness to some questions worth pondering in relation to games. Furthermore, these topics require some deep thought and author Bogost helps bring some of the argued questions to light. Beginning with the Introduction,  Bogost describes two individuals one who is on each side of the argument that the Internet either helps or ruins society (Bogost 2). Moreover, in chapter one titled Art Bogost goes in depth with the question of whether video games can be or should be art. For example, he describes how art can be something complicated to define and as well as difficult to classifying something as art. Another example, is one provided by Bogost himself that well established artist such as Duchamp, Tzara, and Jackson Pollock to name a few are examples that art is hardly a fixed and uncontroversial topic (Bogost 11). In other words they are great examples that art is not something easily defined with set boundaries but rather a lack thereof. I agree and feel games like many things can and should be considered art. This is because games can offer a person with virtual representation as well as a sense of experience with myriad possibilities. For example, the term suggested by Bogost proceduralism describes a style that he defines to be games that are process intensive and rely primarily on computational rules to produce their artistic meaning (Bogost 13). This is to say games so complex as to mimic reality  or create real life scenerios can possess a lot of artistic factors within the umbra of game design. In addition, these proceduralist games offer the end user a virtual model with outcomes contingent on the players interaction with the games environment (Bogost 13). However, proceduralism does it in a radical form according to Bogost proceduralism shares some of the values of expressionism in art, especially as both relate to the subjective interpretation of emotion (Bogost 16). This shows the potential and capacity that video games have to influence and shape society. However, it appears as if the notion of video games as art will never be settled and therefore instead offer the idea that video games at the least can undoubtedly offer many uses. Take for example simulators that pilots use for training, or a game that teaches a baby how to pronounce their first words. Games have a lot of potential and how beneficial, artistic, educational, influential, etc., is up to the creator and the user. Lastly, video games in its finished product involves a lot of work by various individuals who collaborate in effort to provide something meaningful to the end user. With each person taking part in offering their unique artistic touch that as a result influences the end user. Therefore, whether a person perceives a game to be artistic or not one can not deny a video games potential and to say any less is offensive to those who create and continue to create games for what ever entertainment or educational purpose.