Video Games As Art

Roger Ebert seems to have based his opinion of video games on the few movies that have been based on video games.  Had I only watched the Super Mario Brother's movie and not played it, I would most likely agree with Mr. Ebert.  However, Ebert's weakness comes from his lack of knowledge on the subject.  His assumption that since a video game is played, then the gamer must have some say over the outcome of the game.  This is an incorrect assumption, most video games have one story line and one ending, much like a movie.  Also, had Ebert been well versed in the media of video games, he would have realized the cinematic effects and techniques that video games use.  Furthermore, the teams that come together to create video games contains artists from many different mediums.  There are figure artists who create the looks of each character, there are landscape artists, directors, writers, designers.  Also, games allow each person to interpret the game in their own way, much like movies and literature and paintings.  Ebert also makes an interestingly strong statement at the end of his discussion by saying, " But for most gamers, video games represent a loss of those precious hours we have available to make ourselves more cultured, civilized and empathetic."  However, Ebert does not realize that games are a part of modern culture and playing them is the same as watching movies or observing art work.  They are all simply different means of wasting time by enjoying oneself.  Art is entertainment and so are video games.