Video games can never be art – RogerEbert.com (2010)

TITLE
Video games can never be art

AUTHOR
Roger Ebert

PUBLICATION
RogerEbert.com

YEAR
2010

ARTICLE TYPE
Article

FROM THE ARTICLE
Having once made the statement above, I have declined all opportunities to enlarge upon it or defend it. That seemed to be a fool’s errand, especially given the volume of messages I receive urging me to play this game or that and recant the error of my ways. Nevertheless, I remain convinced that in principle, video games cannot be art. Perhaps it is foolish of me to say “never,” because never, as Rick Wakeman informs us, is a long, long time. Let me just say that no video gamer now living will survive long enough to experience the medium as an art form.

What stirs me to return to the subject? I was urged by a reader, Mark Johns, to consider a video of a TED talk given at USC by Kellee Santiago, a designer and producer of video games. I did so. I warmed to Santiago immediately. She is bright, confident, persuasive. But she is mistaken.

GAMES MENTIONED
Braid
Flower
Waco: Resurrection

PEOPLE MENTIONED
Kellee Santiago

TOPICS MENTIONED
Games As Art

SEE ALSO
Okay, kids, play on my lawn – RogerEbert.com (2010)