Play is a universal human instinct. It is stronger in some than in others, but nonetheless every person retains a need to enjoy oneself. To be entertained. To have fun. Games (not just the kind that you play on your TV) are the result of this embedded urge to play—whether it’s tag, hopscotch, football or Settlers of Catan.
Even though video games are a few decades old, they’re a recent hatchling when compared to other mediums or platforms. Film, for instance, is still considered a young medium despite being around for more than 100 years. Board games, which are less technologically dependent, may have been around as early as 3500 B.C. Video games are growing and still figuring out what they are going to become.
Why would they grow up? Because video games are becoming increasingly popular. Yes, there are still some who spout things along the lines of “Oh, I don’t play video games.” Even so, they are spread out over a wide variety of groups and becoming more of a family activity with the release of the Wii and other motion sensor gaming. There are huge marketing campaigns that announce the presence of extravagantly produced games. But there is still a presence of more artfully minded games, produced on a budget. Regardless, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find someone who hasn’t ever played a Mario game.
As a result of their popularity, video games now have a lot of financial backing to move forward. They represent a multi-million dollar industry, churning out game after game.
Most don’t rise above amusement or diversions. However, gaming is no longer only done by nerds. It’s become universal. Mario is as iconic as Michael Jackson. The point is, in fact, that video games are all a-squirming through the metaphoric bowels of our culture, growing fat and happy off our leisure time. Video games are important economically as well as for our entertainment.
Aside from all of these reasons, video games have managed to create a new form of art. No, seriously, think about that for a second. Not only is there now an entirely new method of creating and engaging with art, but it’s interactive.
Art more often than not requires someone to view it, read it or partake of it in some way. With video games, it’s not passive any more. The player takes an active role in the process, whether it’s by decision making or just by playing. Granted, most games, as products of an aptly self-described game industry, are too businesslike, too focused on what will sell rather than what is interesting or affecting.
Even so, there are quite a few good “art games” out there; it just takes a bit of looking. “Shadow of the Colossus” or “Heavy Rain” are examples of a step in the right direction.
So, we’ve got a culturally and economically important medium of art that is not only capable of interacting with its recipient, but also depends on them. Games get some bad press, but given the right creators, video games could be the medium to tell some of the greatest stories. They’re just a bit adolescent.