When I began this column a couple of months ago I wrote of how the video game industry has become an economic force and how it has become a significant part of modern culture. The whole world is playing games now and we can all look forward to a bright future full of technological marvels. But with all the impressive stats and figures, I did not address what many have debated; can video games be art?

The most controversial statement came from renowned film critic and Pulitzer prize winner Roger Ebert, who said: “video games can never be art”. This spurred thousands of offended gamers to write in, urging him to actually play some games and recant his ways. In April 2010 he followed up on his statement on his blog on the Chicago Sun-Times website:“Perhaps it is foolish of me to say "never," because never, as Rick Wakeman informs us, is a long, long time. Let me just say that no video gamer now living will survive long enough to experience the medium as an art form.”

Initially Ebert had refused to elaborate on his point of view on the subject, describing it as “a fools errand”. But he was referred by a reader to a video of a TED talkgiven at the University of Southern California by Kellee Santiago, a designer and producer of video games. For those not familiar, TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a nonprofit conference that brings together “ideas worth spreading”. Over the years it has grown into a global movement, inviting thinkers to talk to a curious community. They are always free to stream and often have talks relating to the world of gaming.

Santiago's talk in 2009 opened responding to Ebert's blanket statement, arguing that game as an art form is still in its infancy, and like cave paintings eventually evolving into the Sistine Chapel, so too shall games and their designers. She does have a point, but in my personal opinion the human race has greater challenges than making their games worthy of such cultured praise. If you take particular interest in the argument I encourage you to spend the time watching the USC TED talk below and read therebuttal from Roger Ebert.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum supports Santiago's cause, they even have an exhibition at the Renwick Gallery in Washington D.C. this year titled the The Art of Video Games. The exhibition will document the 40 year evolution of the medium with the most striking visual effects, creative use of new technologies and the most influential artists and games designers.

Curator Chris Mellisinos, who picked the 240 games for the public to vote for the final 80 that would be included, shares his view on how art plays a part in games. He said: “All video games include classic components of art—striking visuals, a powerful narrative, a strong point of view. What's new is the role of the player. Video games are a unique form of artistic expression through, what I call, the "three voices:" the voice of the designer or artist, the voice of the game and its mechanics, and the voice of the player.

"There is no other form of media that allows for these three distinct voices to combine and present themselves as the output of expression.”

Ebert could no doubt poke holes in these statements as well if he cared to say any more on the subject. But in his blogged rebuttal to Santiago's presentation, he asked the questions:
Why aren't gamers content to play their games and simply enjoy themselves? Do they require validation?

And there lies the most relevant question of all. The gaming industry (and by association the gamers themselves) has already validated itself economically and culturally. Is artistic validation the key to gamer empowerment? Should we able to look up from our screens and argue that we are exploring and appreciating art, as opposed to what Ebert describes as “a loss of those precious hours we have available to make ourselves more cultured, civilized and empathetic”?

I think we should not get caught up in such inconsequential debates. Video games are FUN, lets enjoy them for what they are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=K9y6MYDSAww

The Voice is a weekly column written by Vince Shuley. He focuses on how our culture is affected by games and the game industry. Each week he will be exploring how games are changing and how it impacts us as a society.

Catch up with these past The Voice columns:

Foldit for the Evolved Gamer

Back to the Future:

Domo Arigato, Mr Miyamoto:

Retro Rules!:

Gaming in Moderation: Why I'm Not Playing Skyrim:

The PC is Dead. Long Live the PC:

Gamers this is you time: