The perception of videogames has undergone a large transition within recent years. Specifically, they have undergone a shift from being seen as a toy, which has been likened to obesity, violent tendencies, and general indifference towards education and socialization, to a form of art. Video games, however, are an art form akin to novels or film. Video games, like other forms of art, are an outlet of human creativity. Art is a medium between an artist and a viewer to connect on an emotional level through emotions caused by the provoking of feelings by the viewers senses. Art is divisible into genres and styles, and all art is communicated through a medium. Art is compelling, and art inspires later art.
Video games are strong outlets of creativity for artists. For example, Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario and father to modern gaming, used his adventures in the caves and forests of his backyard and stories of heroes he read when he was a child to inspire the creation of Link, the main character of the Legend of Zelda series (Vestal 2). Some games are even an outlet for the players creativity. Will Wright, creator of The Sims, was inspired by the rebuilding of his home after it burned down to design a game that allows players to create a home and interact with it (Electronic Arts 4).
These games are also capable of evoking emotional responses in players. Using visual, auditory, and sometimes physical feedback, games tell some sort of story. Some narratives of games are derived from classic stories of rescuing the princess from the castle or from defeating an evil that threatens the world. The Final Fantasy series of games have inspired a whole genre of games that excel at these stories, called role-playing games. The game is used to place the player in the shoes of the main character, participating in the storyline rather than as a bystander, as many films and novels are. Final Fantasy VII is one of the epic games ever, with a storyline that still brings gamers to tears (Boor 9). Games can draw on feelings like love and fear, or parallel real-world situations, such as underground organizations attacking a world power, to help the player connect with the game. A successful game often leaves the player caring for the virtual world in which they are interacting. 8.5 million players worldwide play World of Warcraft, a game where a whole world is able to be explored (Blizzard 1). Blizzard Entertainment, the developers of Warcraft, created an immersive world with a storyline that spans centuries and where players strive for rare and expensive equipment and weapons. Blizzard is also responsible for Starcraft, a real-time strategy game. This genre of games is akin to being a battlefield commander, giving orders to units to collect resources and fight battles. Though the game is 9 years old, the core mechanics of the game were created so evenly, thousands continue to play online every day, and is also crucial to professional gaming contests (Wong 6). Some professional gamers, like Johnathan Fatal1ty Wendel, make hundreds of thousands of dollars and have fan clubs of half a million people (Mihelich 6).
Video games, like other forms of art, spans genres, forms, and mediums. Games can be classified as strategy, sports, adventure, action, role-playing, simulation, or abstract. Many abstract games are fine examples of art. In Katamari Damacy, you play the Prince of All Cosmos, tasked with rolling up matter on Earth to create stars in the sky. Featuring an eclectic soundtrack, simple graphics, and an odd storyline, Katamari is a prime example of an abstract, artistic game. Another example is LocoRoco, a game where the player tilts the game environment to roll globular LocoRoco through the level, rather than directly controlling the characters. Becoming a popular game, this mechanic was quickly copied to other games.
Video games are compelling. Many gamers are so drawn to the virtual worlds that their games hold, that they put a hold on their social life to complete a game. Other gamers spend hours a day playing games so they can compete in tournaments. Some games even become chemically addictive. Dr. Orzack, a certified psychologist, released a study showing that as many as 40% of the eight million World of Warcraft players worldwide are addicted to the game (Ferguson 12). In 2005, a South Korean man died from exhaustion after taking few breaks during a marathon session of Starcraft (BBC 2). Some Asian countries have taken steps to limit the time a game can be played at once via in-game lockdowns, and several clinics in Europe and America have opened to treat gaming addiction. Video games seem to be the most compelling art form, because gamers are driven in social games to outperform other gamers.
Games share mediums with other types of art. Games use picture, sound, text, and sometimes force-feedback to interact with the player. Thus games can be seen as a blending of other arts, such as film, writing, painting, and music. Games also draw from and inspire these other arts. The Guitar Hero series features popular rock music that players play on a special guitar controller. Conkers Bad Fur Day features parodies of films such as The Terminator, Saving Private Ryan, and The Matrix. The Gex series features an anthropomorphic gecko that enters the Media Dimension to defeat his enemy. The levels in the Gex games are based off of television and film genres, and all feature parodies of popular programs. Many films now have companion games that either adapt the films storyline, or expand upon it. Japanese games draw on traditional legends that gamers are familiar with. Okami, a PlayStation 2 game, collected Japanese mythology and used a sumi-e art style that was familiar to players but new to video games. Other games use cel shading, flat coloring similar to comic books, for a unique art style. Games often feature professionally performed music by orchestras or popular bands. Games have also influenced other art forms. Popular series Starcraft and Halo have continued their stories through novels. Music from games like Super Smash Brothers has been performed by an orchestra and is available as sheet music.
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