People's reactions to art, especially complex art[0] is going to be highly subjective.
What I wonder most when reading this article is "Will I enjoy a game that successfully evokes those emotions in me?" That's my go-to. But as I read on, the author changed my mind a bit. I may want to actually experience the game, regardless of whether or not I'm willing to continue playing after a short bit of experimentation.
I think that crossed an important line, for me. I wasn't a snob that believed "video games would never be considered a truly complex art, only a form of (mindless) entertainment[1]". In fact, I believe video games have so many things about them that are superior to what we generally consider art (film, and even in some ways, the written word). And I put my money where my mouth is -- at home, I am strict about consumption of "mindless entertainment" (read: almost all things TV), but I will let my kids play many "social" and creative video games with very little/no limits[2].
The difficult place I see game companies in, these days, is that to create this form of immersive environment is really expensive (though getting cheaper every day). And the more risky moves they make (i.e. punishing the player to evoke sensations of guilt for "Doing the Right Thing(tm)" as is so true in real-life), the more likely the game is going to be solidly rejected by mainstream audiences and that cost will not be recouped. Perhaps this is a future cause of "all great art fails to be recognized in its time"
I, personally, haven't been a gamer for a long time. I mostly play with my kids, and while I can hold my own, I can't handle a game that I can't meaningfully play without getting destroyed seconds in, and I've found that the games that fall into these categories tend to have that level of difficulty around them. Now that my kids are getting older and starting to play some of the more teen-oriented games, I'm finding myself wading into those waters again. I haven't been terribly impressed, if I'm being honest. Other than the graphics being dramatically better -- but, lets face it, I work in this industry ... that wasn't a surprise and the novelty wares off, quickly, when the gameplay starts and you discover that the physics hasn't come as far, as fast.
[0,1] Quick: Define art. Define entertainment.
[2] Only to say, I don't consider them an activity to be avoided in favor of other, more meaningful/educational-oriented activities, but to be balanced with other healthy activities like "exploring/playing outside/making things with non-virtual things". I never got the whole "Quit building that entire universe in Minecraft and go sit at the dinner table and play Sorry! with your sister"
What I wonder most when reading this article is "Will I enjoy a game that successfully evokes those emotions in me?" That's my go-to. But as I read on, the author changed my mind a bit. I may want to actually experience the game, regardless of whether or not I'm willing to continue playing after a short bit of experimentation.
I think that crossed an important line, for me. I wasn't a snob that believed "video games would never be considered a truly complex art, only a form of (mindless) entertainment[1]". In fact, I believe video games have so many things about them that are superior to what we generally consider art (film, and even in some ways, the written word). And I put my money where my mouth is -- at home, I am strict about consumption of "mindless entertainment" (read: almost all things TV), but I will let my kids play many "social" and creative video games with very little/no limits[2].
The difficult place I see game companies in, these days, is that to create this form of immersive environment is really expensive (though getting cheaper every day). And the more risky moves they make (i.e. punishing the player to evoke sensations of guilt for "Doing the Right Thing(tm)" as is so true in real-life), the more likely the game is going to be solidly rejected by mainstream audiences and that cost will not be recouped. Perhaps this is a future cause of "all great art fails to be recognized in its time"
I, personally, haven't been a gamer for a long time. I mostly play with my kids, and while I can hold my own, I can't handle a game that I can't meaningfully play without getting destroyed seconds in, and I've found that the games that fall into these categories tend to have that level of difficulty around them. Now that my kids are getting older and starting to play some of the more teen-oriented games, I'm finding myself wading into those waters again. I haven't been terribly impressed, if I'm being honest. Other than the graphics being dramatically better -- but, lets face it, I work in this industry ... that wasn't a surprise and the novelty wares off, quickly, when the gameplay starts and you discover that the physics hasn't come as far, as fast.
[0,1] Quick: Define art. Define entertainment.
[2] Only to say, I don't consider them an activity to be avoided in favor of other, more meaningful/educational-oriented activities, but to be balanced with other healthy activities like "exploring/playing outside/making things with non-virtual things". I never got the whole "Quit building that entire universe in Minecraft and go sit at the dinner table and play Sorry! with your sister"