Video Games as High Art
A heady, amusing read which refutes Roger Ebert’s claim that video games cannot be high art. The article examines and provides examples of the numerous ways in which video games are capable of raising human consciousness, and suggests that much like cinema was looked down upon 100 years ago, video games are similarly misunderstood by a largely uninformed populace.
Quote:
"Imagine if you’d never watched a single movie all the way through, and then suddenly decided to publish your opinions regarding the artistic merits of film, and you’ve got a pretty accurate idea of Ebert’s authority on the subject of video games. As a film critic, he’s one of the best. It’s just too bad he’s a bit sanctimonious when it comes to other types of media. Film making was similarly dismissed by classical artists as the medium first took its baby steps during the early 20th century, and I would expect someone who appreciates the arts and is familiar with history to be more open minded when it comes to the new kid on the block."
