Why NOT Games? The Case for Games as Art | Xufan (Echo) Zhou | TEDxWuxi Big Bridge Academy Youth

Key Concepts

• Video Games as Art: The central argument that video games should be recognized as a legitimate art form alongside traditional mediums like painting, sculpture, music, and literature.
• Immersion: The unique ability of video games to place the player within the artwork, allowing for active participation and impactful decision-making.
• Cultural Reflection: The capacity of video games to capture and reflect the spirit of a particular time and place, serving as a historical record.
• Integrated Art Form: The multifaceted nature of game development, requiring expertise in various artistic and technical disciplines.
• Creator Intent: The deliberate artistic choices and emotional depth embedded within game design.

The Artistic Merit of Video Games

The presentation begins by addressing a common parental concern: the perceived frivolousness of video games. The speaker frames this concern with a relatable anecdote – a father interrupting his child’s gaming session after homework completion – and poses the question, “Why games?” This sets the stage for arguing that video games deserve recognition as a legitimate art form, placing them alongside established disciplines like painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, dance, film, and theater.

The Creative Process Behind Game Development

The speaker details the complex creative process involved in game development, emphasizing that it’s far more than simple entertainment. A game originates from a producer’s core idea – be it adventure (like The Legend of Zelda), peaceful simulation (Stardew Valley), or open-world creation (Minecraft). This initial concept then necessitates the formation of a dedicated development team.

This team comprises a diverse range of specialists, including:

• Graphics Programmers: Responsible for the visual aspects of the game.
• Motion Capture Actors: Providing realistic movement and animation.
• QA (Quality Assurance) Actors: Testing the game for bugs and ensuring a smooth player experience.
• 3D Modelers: Creating the game’s environments and characters, meticulously refining details to enhance realism – a process likened to sculpting.
• Musicians/Composers: Crafting the game’s soundtrack, often iterating on musical pieces to perfectly capture the desired emotional tone.
• Narrative Designers: Writing dialogue and developing character personalities, striving for depth and believability.

The speaker stresses that each member contributes significant effort and artistry to their respective role, mirroring the dedication found in other art forms. “The game creators just like other artists pull a great deal of pain effort into the process.”

Immersion: The Unique Contribution of Video Games

While acknowledging the emotional impact of traditional art forms – being “touched by the detailed description” in a novel or “amazed at the fantastic movements” in a dance performance – the speaker highlights immersion as the unique contribution of video games. This isn’t passive observation; it’s active participation.

A compelling example is presented: a scenario within a war-torn game where the player must decide whether to steal medicine from an elderly couple to survive. This choice isn’t merely read about; the player makes it and witnesses the consequences. The speaker points out that even choosing to take only a small amount results in the couple’s death, forcing players to confront the moral weight of their actions. This immersive experience transcends simple entertainment, prompting reflection on themes of war, conscience, and the creator’s intent. “We are not just watching that world through a screen. We are stepping into that world.”

Video Games as Cultural Records

The speaker argues that, like other art forms, video games reflect the spirit of their time. They cite Animal Crossing: New Horizons as a prime example. Released during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the game provided a virtual space for social connection when physical interaction was limited. Players could build islands, share experiences, and maintain friendships despite geographical constraints.

The speaker emphasizes that revisiting the game now evokes memories of the pandemic, the isolation, and the desire for connection. “We’re also reminded of the pandemic, reminded of our unique lifestyles at that time. Reminded of the memories we shared with our friends during that special and tough time.” This demonstrates how games can serve as a cultural artifact, documenting the experiences and emotions of a specific era.

Synthesis: Beyond Play – A Holistic Art Form

The presentation concludes by asserting that video games are not simply “play,” but a complex integration of coding, writing, drawing, composing, and philosophical inquiry. They represent a holistic art form that deserves recognition alongside its more established counterparts. The speaker challenges the initial question – “Why games?” – by reframing it as “Why not games?”

They pose a rhetorical question: “Why can’t a medium that lends the score of a symphony, the visuals of a painting, the narrative of a novel and the moral weight of philosophy be considered one of the most significant art form of our time?” The speaker’s final statement is a call to action, urging society to recognize video games as the significant art form they are. “It can, it is. And this is the time we started seeing that way.”