US government now recognizes video games as a valid form of art

The US federal government, by way of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), now considers video games a valid form of art, making a true step toward recognition for the oft under-recognized form.

[movements]

Only now? they're late. I recognized it way before uncharted 2...

[sikbeta]

Better later than never :P and that's an Great Step...

[darthv72]

On one hand you have a part of the fed govt commending video games as an art form.

On the other hand you have a part of the fed govt condemning video games as a security risk and detractor of good health.

This is the same govt.....right?

I love my country (USA) but we can be whack sometimes.

[upturned2]

I bet it's only because of the major exclusives for the PS3. Think about Heavy Rain, God of War, Metal Gear, Uncharted. Those are just a few. God of War and Metal Gear are stronger points. Metal Gear came out on PS and was the revolutionary turning point in gaming. MSG4 is only on the PS3 for a simple reason. It couldn't be done with any other game console and it's for the most part, PS exclusive. The ones that matter. How full of art are the 360 exclusives? I'm not full of shit either. Hardcore 360 fanboys were wondering what's so good about PS3?

Look at our exclusives line-up.

[humbleopinion]

"I'm not full of shit either. "
That kinda doesn't fit well with the general trolling tone of your post.

[lowcarb]

There are tons of artful games that have been around for quite sometime. If you actually tried some 360 games you would even see arcade games (Limbo, Dish Washer and Shadow Complex to name a few)are a form of great art as well. I played MG on Nintendo long before it released on PS brand by the way.
"MSG4 is only on the PS3 for a simple reason. It couldn't be done with any other game console and it's for the most part, PS exclusive"

And that's why Rising (multiplat)will come to 360 and look much better then MGS4 lol go figure.

"Hardcore 360 fanboys were wondering what's so good about PS3?"

Yeah and just how many of your lineup games were all AAA games? Stop already and just admit both consoles have great games. There are still games great looking games coming to 360 regardless if you want to believe it or not.

[Redgehammer]

Man, you kill me. I love my 360 and I never wonder what is so good about the PS3. I am glad you have something you enjoy in your life, but to discount games like RDR, Assassins Creed, Bioshock, Mass Effect, Alan Wake, Limbo, Gears, or even Halo is a little narrow minded. Games are art regardless of the platform and I am glad that the government is inviting video games to the party.

[rabidpancakeburglar]

Progress!

[Hellsvacancy]

US government? what do those mofos know about Art?

Im surprised they can even see the "art" on the table inftont of them, they cover so much stuff up, i bet they got tons of rolls of tarpoolin

[Naruto_Uzumaki]

finely now games can get the recognition it deserve now i just need to see Anime to be next...anime has very beautiful artist style

[InTheKnow]

.
Video games have always been art to me. Some games relay that impression more/better than others just like any art form.

The government should worry about the economy and creating jobs and let the people decide about things of this nature...having said that...

It's a good thing to acknowledge and I suspect they did so since it will help to allocate monies to help devs along with tax breaks to encourage local development. So, it's a win/win for everyone.

Video games has become a BIG revenue producer and this will help devs in the long run.

[primesuspect]

It's not so much that we individuals need their approval; it's that developers who want to make games for a living but don't want to fight their way through trying to make them financially successful in the competitive commercial space have a viable avenue to practice their art while retaining the ability to pay their bills. They can apply for grants and get funded by the NEA.

[Bigpappy]

Exactly primesuspect. Some of the kids here do not respect or understand that a goverment selected by the people, is very important to sustaining a civil society. Then again this is an international site and some people don't get to choose their government.

On topic: This makes it much easier for the industry to borrow money and takes away some of the stigma from the business. They can now seriously offer their work as an alternative to movies and the likes.

[CYBERSNAKE]

This changes nothing!

[blackhammer]

The government may say they recognize it, but they're opinion means jack. Like IntheKnow said, they're approval is not required.

Silly government... marriage and now this? Just silly...

[vinsanity0723]

With that article in my right pocket I say: "Suck it Ebert!"

[upturned2]

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

Did some of you jackasses skip that part? Pricks think everything U.S. is wrong. If you don't know how to read properly, suck a dick.

[Dan50]

If the SCOTUS says games are not free speech then does this contradict what the National Endowment for the Arts said?

[Redgehammer]

I don't believe that will happen.

[Dan50]

That games would be stripped of free speech or that it would contradict?

[VMAN_01]

Roger Ebert will not like this one bit!

[Spenok]

Bout damned time. I don't understand how anyone could look at the creation of anything as not art. Especially video games, hell when it requires art to make in the first place how could it not be art? Anyways at least we can finally put this to rest.

[Speakindatruth]

FINALLY FUCK DAMMIT. So long...

[Tyre]

An important step and good for recognition of the astounding work talented people in the games industry have made..games ARE state of the Art/Science!