Video Games as a Legitimate Art Form

BMR writes: A few months ago my baby sister and I were talking about video games in general. She and our other sister (I am the eldest of three siblings) had just finished L.A. Noire on the PS3, and I had just started the same game on the PC. For a few weeks before I purchased the game on Steam, I watched my sisters play through the game at my parents' house once my young nephews had gone to bed.

Gradually, the conversation between my sister and me gravitated towards L.A. Noire's virtues. Obviously, we liked the game; it wouldn't even be a stretch to say that we both loved it. For one thing, we were both enthralled in how the game looked. It didn't matter which version of the game - PS3 or PC - we were talking about. We both thought it looked great. Then there's all the period-specific music and sound effects. The game had superb voice acting, and it told a great story. Between my sister and me, there was simply no denying it: L.A. Noire is one beautiful game.

So I asked my sister this question: Can video games be considered a legitimate art form?

[Dan50]

US Supreme Court and the Smithsonian say so :D

[DwightOwen]

Please don't bring the SCOTUS into this...

[Anonnk]

Shadow of the Colussus
Heavy Rain
even Bioshock

Are all fantastic examples of games with legimate art forms. These three games have more artistic value then most mainstream forms of entertainment.

[finodd43]

I see video games as an interactive movie. Movies get away with a lot of B.S. I want video games to get away with it too. :-)