The debate about video games as art continues, while the jury may appear missing in action, if there ever was one. I’d suggest it’s worth looking at games such as this one, Dear Esther, to see what’s posible. Lewis Denby describes the game as:
It’s an experimental first-person game [about] a nameless protagonist exploring a misty island. There’s no action, and no real puzzles to solve, but as you wander around the place you start to learn the unsettling and tragic story of the island, and those who ventured to it.
For my part I believe games can be art, depending on the intentions of the developers and the experience of the player. I love the premise for Dear Esther as all about discovery. Games can be really great at keeping the player in the dark and revealing information slowly, strategically, so that you’re swept along. Dear Esther will release on PC 14 February 2012.
