For those who don't know, (which is probably everyone) Riot rants are a update of my Times Mage page that went bust a couple years ago, basically just rants about issues in the gaming community that have stirred up hard feelings. if it is appreciated here, ill continue to post them here, if not, Ill discontinue them.

Today its about a debate that media critics and gamers have been kicking around for as long as there were games. Is the video game media a art form?

I for one, firmly support the idea. Sure, recent video game media have kind of taken a art deco form over the last ten years, (essentially art that just looks pretty with no real substance.) But no matter the turns the industry has taken there are always the rare cult classic or even rare hit that really brings a new vision on life, humor, feelings or society that bring a new point of view to how you look at life in general. In short, true art.

Those in the gaming community know also know that Gameinformer Magazine has released a similar argument for video games that are considered art forms and try to debunk some of the arguments against within these games. I wish to go in a similar direction.

The first argument I wish to make is that video games are a odd art form. You cant really look at a snapshot, read its dialogue or even take a 2 hour snippet of the action to understand or even experience the artistry developers often bleed and cry over to make. They are not movies,they are not books, they are not even pictures. You have to be in them, to play them to understand the artistry. Something known critics like Ebert cannot understand.

My first example of this is Final Fantasy Tactics. A cult classic that is still being polished and remade because of its depth. It starts out with a political struggle, middles out with throwing in a family debate, than religious one, than another political one, than brotherly angst, betrayal, murder, rape, slavery, lost culture, demons, love. All written and choreographed in a almost Shakespearean way, and ending in such a way that would befit the author of such artistry known the world over. Though dated, all the feelings and viewpoints it offers cant help but be considered.

My next is a game that nearly everyone here has played, Mass Effect 2. Indeed, it is possible to simply run through the entire game without any thought but that of effect, but it would be the same reaction of a person just looking at the Mona Lisa and only seeing a smile. Indeed, it is nearly impossible if your heart is beating to not feel something for one of your many partners, even if that feeling is hate or discontent. Not to mention the last mission. If one of your team members die, it is hard to not feel the connection that you are the one that put him/her in that situation, handing them to their death. It truly explores people, even though there are only three humans in the party, it explores the likes, dislikes, prejudices and motives of a wide variety of people in stunning detail. I know people that are Talis, Mordins, or even Grunts. As the Greeks knew in ancient times, the one thing that truly cannot be quantified by art is humanity, even by this game. But damn do we try.

Warcraft 3. Like many of blizzards envelope pushing titles, this one holds a special place. Why? Because of its intense story telling. like watching a movie or reading a book, this game makes you feel for the characters. Make you love them, hate them or even feel disappointment with them. After all, what more than a art form can spawn multiple art forms from it? From pictures to books to even a movie deal speculation, warcraft worlds have changed the world forever, what more an be asked of any form? Let alone a art form.

I cannot really go on though I would love to. But my point is this. Since games are a interactive form, you must interact with it to be able to not only understand, but thrive in its artistry. Unlike plays or movies, pictures or books,you cant watch it to see its relevance, to must play it, you must live it.