As a huge fan of Roger Ebert (i constantly read his movie reviews), I was quite startled to find something that I vehemently disagreed with when it came to Ebert’s opinion on video games. In his article, Ebert is set on the idea that video games can never be art. He believes that video games are “etchings” that will never result in full art. He compares the games to movies and poems and other works of art and states that video games are nothing like them.
Obviously, Ebert has been looking at the wrong games. Art has been shown in video games for many years and Ebert just has not been seeing it. For example, in the 90′s The Legend of Zelda:Ocarina of Time came into existence and it set the way for many other role playing games to come. In Zelda, the protagonist, Link, goes on many quests to try to save the world, known as Hyrule, and of course, save the Princess Zelda. Based on what I have just described, you may not believe that this is art, but if you play the game, you would understand my point. In Zelda, the world known as Hyrule is so expansive and you can explore any part of it at any given time. Also the creatures you meet or fight are also created. If that isn’t art, than I dont know what is.
Another example, to refute Ebert’s ridiculous claim, is a game known as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. This game, like Zelda, is a role playing game, except that you have the ability to explore whole worlds and the plot is very dependent on what decisions you make. It also gives you the option to choose what your character says during conversations. You can be compassionate or evil, and the plot of the game greatly varies on those decisions. The game even has different plot twists and several back stories. And like Zelda, the scenery and worlds in these games are beautiful and expansive, along with the creatures.
How is this not art? Since when is the ability to create whole worlds and species not art? Ebert’s definition of art must be very close minded and for that reason he should stick to writing movie reviews. Also if he wants to have a better understanding of video games he needs to realize that video games have evolved way more than pong and space invaders.
