Okay seriously the flashlight thing made sense in the original. Think about it.
The point of a Flashlight: To illuminate.
Who needs a flashlight: People who need to see, like maintenance and security. A handheld flashlight has better use to them as they can more easily direct the rays. Sure armor mounted is great if you need to blast demons with a gun but I am sure they weren't expecting that.
Don't say duck tape because a gun can't opperate with tape wrapped around it. Also the need to take the tape off and reattach it to a new weapon is just silly.
My point. In the universe of doom, even though it is futuristic, it makes sense that flashlights were not attached to the gun or armor.
Look at security today. They use mag-lights for a reason. It is more practical for everyday use.
Making something visual with the intent to influence sounds like art to me. . If a designer doesn't have the drive to make games that make a difference, change peoples views, or influence the audience in some way, then most likely they don't work anywhere because the big companies aren't interested in them.
In the end video games don't have to have consumers or publishers to exist. Making a Game, to me, is art. Perhaps some of that art is lost when you mix in consumers and publishers. But I don't feel it can completely diminish.
Man I think we could go on forever with this. But I don't want to take up all your time. I can't say your view is wrong as you have a good argument. I may not fully agree but I think I understand why you believe what you do.
@lozandier that makes sense.... but not all video games fall into that category. Most do but there are small teams that make games for themselves and their own goals. Like a game I am working on. No intent of an audience. No client. Just a vision.
"You're designing if it's something to solve a specific problem and primarily for the consumption of others"
When making a video game, what specific problem are you solving? Artists don't usually make their art for it not to be seen, or bought. It is usually with the intention of mass consumption.
By the way. You are by far the most interesting person I have debated with here. Your thoughts are well calculated and you have been very respectful.Please know I don't debate to bother you. I have no intention of trolling and just wish to understand the other side better.
@lozandier Good argument. To continue off though, the art assets I use are created by myself. I take art and put it together to make a big piece of art. By me designing that composition with different art assests would not reduce the final outcome as no longer art.I would call what you do art. I assume that you do your job well and with that assumption you don't work like a drone. You have to be creative. So your websites, at least in my eyes, would be a form of 21st century art.
The developers got into making games because they love their art. Modelers are artist. They sculpt. Texture painters are artist. Designers, for me at least, also are artist. As they paint with a different pallet. Rather than blues and yellows they use different tools like models, riggs, animations, and programs to make their art.
@lozandier @rasputin177 My 3d animation teacher used to say "The programs you use do not make art. It is what you do with those programs and tools that will be the art." Roughly
@lozandier True they do that. But they also make art. A video game is a collection of art assets combined into an interactive experience. So while yes they are designers, they are also artists. I think it takes artistry and good design to put a game together. When I am modeling a character. I am making art. When I take that character and bring him to life I am creating a story. Yes the player gets to take control but that doesn't make the art I made no longer art or make me less of an artist. Designers are artist. What good designer can pull something off without some artistic thought?
I feel art and design go hand in hand.
I see where your coming from but I have to respectfully disagree. Been at this for too long to see it as only design. I make art and no external view can change what I make. Which makes me think. Is the debate of if video games are art or not even necessary. If a guy goes an makes a game as a piece of art. Sells it and then someone else walks up and says "Dude I don't think what you did is art" Does that really matter? His intention and design choices were based on artistic creativity in the effort to craft his artwork. So can anyone really try and tell him that he is not an artist? (not by opinion if he is a good artist)
Although again. I think design and art are inseparable when it comes to video games.
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