In our modern society, video games have burgeoned as a form of amusement and cultural phenomenon, thus sparking a fervent contention – should they be conferred the title of the Ninth Art? While some opine that video games harbor creativity and artistry, a faction still questions its merit against the rubric of traditional artistry. Boasting the singularity of digital media, games open a Pandora’s box of unique features and modes of expression. Yet do they satisfy the requisites of conventional art and encapsulate sufficient creativity and artistry? This contention warrants an in-depth exploration. We shall dissect this debate from sundry perspectives, weighing the credence of games as the potential Ninth Art.
Video: ‘Why Video Games are Art | The Beauty of Play, and How ‘Fun’ is not the Opposite of Art’, by The Game Overanalyser, June 2018
The game has a unique creative and artistic quality, which brings it in line with traditional art forms. The game development process, from art design and musical composition to narrative construction, demands the creative prowess and expressive capabilities of artists, offering a fresh canvas for artistic creation. Games, through their distinct visualizations, sound effects, narratives, and interactivity, become conduits of emotions, ideologies, and themes, instigating emotional resonance and introspection in players. Certain games, flaunting meticulously crafted artistic styles and music, even emulate cinematic narrative techniques and plot progression. These attributes endow games with creativity and artistic flair, qualifying them as a distinct art form. The unique modes of expression and inventive elements of games render them a captivating and novel art form.
Image: City street scene, by Detroit: Become Human
Contrasting traditional passive art forms, the interactivity of games proffers a more personalized and autonomous artistic experience to players. The game, with its adaptability to player choices and actions, offers a wide range of experiences and results. This interactive element amplifies the game’s complexity and adaptability, setting it apart from traditional art forms. However, this level of engagement changes how games are created and appreciated, deviating from conventional artistic formats, which might trigger skepticism about games being viewed as art. This doesn’t negate the potential of games as an art form. On the contrary, games exhibit unique attributes in creativity and modes of expression, offering a unique artistic experience through technology and interactivity.
Digital media has opened up new opportunities for game development, accelerating their artistic diversity and injecting energy into game innovation, making them one of the most beloved forms of digital media. Games, being interactive, not only display unique creativity in visual, auditory, and emotional aspects, but also allow users to directly participate in artistic creation through digital means. Looking forward, it is expected that these elements will become even more closely intertwined.
As a form of creative digital medium, video games encapsulate unique artistic qualities and modes of expression. Despite the skepticism surrounding its alignment with traditional artistic standards, the recognition of video games as an autonomous art form is gradually gaining traction. With the passage of time, video games might garner more affirmation and appreciation in their capacity as the Ninth Art. Despite the controversies, video games, as a medium, possess distinct creativity and artistic features. Consequently, the artistic nuances and cultural influence of games justify their potential representation as the Ninth Art. However, this perspective continues to be a subject of contention, warranting further dialogue and scholarly scrutiny.
Video : ‘Are Games Art? | Brenda Romero | TEDxGalway’, by TEDx Talks, September 2016
Creative Horizons 
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