Art is a reaction/response to life. It is a medium to deal with emotions and events and issues. Art is many things, and some even argue that it is anything, but most of us divide art into different types such as painting, writing or sculpting. Film is often considered art and so are the buildings and cars many of us spend time in. But there is one form of art that fails to receive the recognition it deserves: video games.
You might scoff at me. You might simply dismiss me as a “gamer” who takes it all a little too seriously. But I stand firm. Video games are art. And here’s why.
1. Visuals
Video games are created using what are called “engines”. Engines are exactly what they sound like; they run the game. They render the graphics of the world around you and they control the physics that dictates your movement. Video games have evolved from the pixels of Pong to beautiful, fully-realized worlds. Borderlands (and its sequel and pre-sequel) is the reigning champion of a beautiful work of art. Thick black lines surround the world you inhabit and engulf the characters you meet. The whole thing looks like a comic book. Easy on the eyes and breathtaking to look at, it’s a shining example of visuals that you want to see.
2. Music
Video games, just like movies and TV shows, are scored. Musicians create music to add to the experience of the game you play. Music on its own is an art form that nearly everyone is gaga for and music propels film into another realm of art entirely, making or breaking your immersion. The Last of Us is the God of scored video games. With a score done by Gustavo Santaolalla, and some of it just consisting of an acoustic guitar, it plays itself right into your soul. Bringing you to tears on more than one occasion, the official soundtrack has a place saved for trying days and rainy skies. I picked out a sad and beautiful song for you.
3. Acting
Video games have voice acting and, though different, it has a surprisingly similar effect to that of physical acting. Bad performances ruin your experience and great ones make you fall in love with a character. Good voice acting leaves you reciting lines for days and they really go miles to show off great writing. The Last of Us is the perfect example of this, yet again. Utilizing both voice acting and motion capture technology, the performances that Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson give are perfect. Watching Troy Baker’s character cripple over his dying daughter as he sobs, “Don’t do this to me, baby,” will rip your heart to pieces in your chest. Here’s a link to the scene, I’d recommend 17+ and tissues.
4. Writing
As mentioned before, writing is a common and storied form of art. Its presence in video games, though not necessary, can add loads of artistic meaning to otherwise pointless locations, dull quests and forgettable characters. Poetry has Keats, novels have King, and video games have The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The game’s writing is extensive, through help of the novels the series is based upon, and grants tons of delicious lines of dialogue and lore. It’s near-perfect writing gives each character their own personality, crafts an unforgettable story and fills the world with lore you can’t help but discover. The world of the Witcher is packed with poems, songs and stories all waiting to be read.
5. Atmosphere
Some things cannot be expressed save through a visual medium. This is why painting is a powerhouse of art. Visual art carries a weight that cannot be matched, it creates the emotion it represents. The video game Limbo is such a visual art. Cast entirely in black and white, this indie, puzzle-platform game is difficult to describe. Dropping you into a world of somber despair and presenting you with the fear from a giant spider that just won’t quit, this game makes you feel the emotion you are looking at. Simple and unflinching, the visual game is beautiful to glance at and emotional to experience.
6. Conflict
Video games have a story to tell and, more than you would like to admit, have something to say about our real world. Video games are often packed with firm stances on modern issues, just like music and film and writing and paintings. The Dragon Age series is a wonderful example of this. Multiple games filled with racism, refugees and religion and you can draw many parallels to today’s society and its problems. Usually dealing with war at the center of it all only adds to the weight of the game. With serious things to say on every issue, you’d be ridiculous not to pay attention to it.
7. Story
Great art, regardless of the medium, tells a story. It has a beginning, middle and an end. The Last of Us is the best example of storytelling in a video game to this day. Flawed characters and questionable choices guide you through a bleak world and a dark story. Telling a tale of the human condition and an imperfect father (figure) traveling through it, the beginning, middle and end will leave you wanting to experience it all again. Just like you always come back to Lord of the Rings to live in the world all over again, The Last of Us will keep you diving back in as often as you can. And, as all great stories, it will leave you wondering if it had to end like that.
