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Seems to me that as an outsider to gaming Ebert, whom I respect, misses out on many gaming opportunities. I'm not sure what lofty definition of art he is using

Seems to me that as an outsider to gaming Ebert, whom I respect, misses out on many gaming opportunities. I'm not sure what lofty definition of art he is using but I've played games that run the entire emotional spectrum. Cinematic games like Uncharted 2, reflective games like Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, funny games like Monkey Island, 'art house' games like Braid, suspenseful games like Resident Evil. These games cover many systems over a long stretch of time, to expect a movie critic to keep up would be asking too much. But he should understand that this would be like me, a casual movie watcher, saying Citizen Kane is boring.

cgranade 17y ago
I agree wholeheartedly save for that I would have picked other examples for good suspenseful games, such as Silent Hill or Parasite Eve. More recently, I would add Heavy Rain to that list, though it's a completely different genre-- I've seldom seen a game that can evoke such powerful emotions.
- bmalicoat 17y ago
  Yea, I've heard Heavy Rain is pretty intense. Haven't had a chance to check it out yet that's why I didn't include it, but from what I've heard it is one of the best representatives of artful games.
lotharbot 17y ago
Another game worthy of consideration as art: http://www.playauditorium.com http://www.playauditorium.com
- dustingetz 17y ago
  why, because it's pretty?
  - lotharbot 17y ago
    It is, in fact, pretty, appealing to the senses and possibly emotions. But it's not just the aesthetics that make it worthy of consideration as art. The gameplay itself is creative; the player can solve levels in unintended ways. There are (sometimes surprising) interactions between various elements, and it is their arrangement that the game is based upon. The layout of various levels is subtly expressive; there's a sense in which the player is getting inside the level designer's head by playing their level (this is, IMO, an overlooked aspect of many video games. Level design is an expression of the designer's thoughts!) There are some definitions of "art" this would not meet, and others that it would. At the very least, then, it's worthy of consideration.
jimmyjim 17y ago
Shadow of the Colossus was indeed very artsy, but I think its prequel Ico was better by miles and miles. Also the perfect argument against Ebert's take on video games. A trailer of some sort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQ-0vqHAro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQ-0vqHAro Really just a gesamtkunstwerk. The soundtrack, the choreography and the storyline really work well together. The game falls under a puzzle genre I believe.
- bmalicoat 17y ago
  I gotta be honest with you, I only upvoted you because you somehow managed to say gesamtkunstwerk in a casual way.

cgranade 17y ago

I agree wholeheartedly save for that I would have picked other examples for good suspenseful games, such as Silent Hill or Parasite Eve. More recently, I would add Heavy Rain to that list, though it's a completely different genre-- I've seldom seen a game that can evoke such powerful emotions.

bmalicoat 17y ago
Yea, I've heard Heavy Rain is pretty intense. Haven't had a chance to check it out yet that's why I didn't include it, but from what I've heard it is one of the best representatives of artful games.

lotharbot 17y ago

Another game worthy of consideration as art: http://www.playauditorium.com http://www.playauditorium.com

dustingetz 17y ago
why, because it's pretty?
- lotharbot 17y ago
  It is, in fact, pretty, appealing to the senses and possibly emotions. But it's not just the aesthetics that make it worthy of consideration as art. The gameplay itself is creative; the player can solve levels in unintended ways. There are (sometimes surprising) interactions between various elements, and it is their arrangement that the game is based upon. The layout of various levels is subtly expressive; there's a sense in which the player is getting inside the level designer's head by playing their level (this is, IMO, an overlooked aspect of many video games. Level design is an expression of the designer's thoughts!) There are some definitions of "art" this would not meet, and others that it would. At the very least, then, it's worthy of consideration.

jimmyjim 17y ago

Shadow of the Colossus was indeed very artsy, but I think its prequel Ico was better by miles and miles. Also the perfect argument against Ebert's take on video games. A trailer of some sort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQ-0vqHAro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQ-0vqHAro Really just a gesamtkunstwerk. The soundtrack, the choreography and the storyline really work well together. The game falls under a puzzle genre I believe.

bmalicoat 17y ago
I gotta be honest with you, I only upvoted you because you somehow managed to say gesamtkunstwerk in a casual way.