Game reviewers are in the uncomfortable place of literary critics. They just add something is art because an “artist” did it, and since they are critics they have an insurmountable distance between them mortals and designers. Truth is, most game developers aren’t talented artists (nor in narrative or whatever forms do you prefer to understand a game). And worse of all, the fact that a designer can make a cool Shepard-holding-a-gun illustration doesn’t make him an artist in a way the press of late seems to imply (as if they were this geniuses that society can never understand).
Not only gamepress is now looking as doing some sort of PR for free, but they seem to lie themselves in a way that these games are made to make money, so they need to appeal the public. Mainstream AAA titles are this way. Bestselling authors get it, Hollywood screenwriters and directors get it, Videogame developers get it too. But the press? They seem to look for something where is not.
If the press want to look for games as art they should be looking in the indie scene, or 1-2 bigger titles, but c’mon Doom 3 and Mass Effect 3??
@Rocker6 You are aware that Activision just payed about 45 million dollars to ex-infinty ward employees for non paid bonuses. If that proves anying is how exploitative were the working conditions of the CoD creators (meaning the whole staf).
Oh cmon! I know I'm gonna be hated but who thinks Mass Effect is art??? Art is something beyond average sci-fi, are we gonna say next star wars is art??? One thing is to have arthistic elements (in its design or intentions) but other completely is to be as profound as philosophy as Art is. You think we are not entitled to ask for a nice ending instead of a rush job becasue Mass Effect is Art?? Videogames can be art for sure, but for sure Mass Effect (as much as I like the series) is not art, that isnt a valid excuse. GS should point instead who humble is bioware for being aware that its videogames are meant to be enjoyed, and if people arent enjoying them Bioware is willing to swallow their pride and listen to the fans. Art is selfish and doesnt care even if people is able to understand it (who understands modern art without studying it first). Bioware isnt being selfish becaues they now their games are social, are a joyful adventure between them and the community.
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