Games are art (full stop).

Sometimes debates arise about games being or not being art.

I don't see why there should be any debate since games are obviously art. (Full Stop)

And a very complex form of art than encompass and includes several other kind of arts to provide a complete, unique experience.

Doubtful? What is art then?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_arts

If we take into consideration the traditional forms of art:

• 4 Fine arts
  • 4.1 Drawing
  • 4.2 Gastronomy
  • 4.3 Architecture
  • 4.4 Painting
  • 4.5 Conceptual art
  • 4.6 Literature
• 5 Performing arts
  • 5.1 Music
  • 5.2 Theatre
  • 5.3 Dance

Well, games make very extensive use of both the Fine Arts: Drawing (concepts, texturing), Painting (concept, texturing, matte painting) , Architecture (concept, modeling, matte painting), Conceptual art and Literature (story-telling, plotting etc.)

And the performing arts: Music (score), Theatre (acting, dubbing, motion capture, animation reference), Dance (motion capture, animation reference).

And then we have the specific CG Arts: Animation, Lighting, Shading, Texturing, Digital scultping, Animation, VFX.

And something that is not included in the above categories are also: photography and directing.

So tell me why a game that includes the Art in so many forms (or so many forms of art if you want) shouldn't be considered an Art by itself?


And actually we could go a step further and say that thanks to games Art is currently really striving, think about how many artists have games-related jobs, either as concept artist, modelers, game designers, matte painters, texturers, soundtrack composers and so on.
And also actors to both perform motion capture and dubbing and so on and on.

An heartfelt THANK YOU to the gaming world for offering us such amazing and immersive experiences, for creating worlds and adventures we can explore and live.
Gaming really is the 21st century art!

Have fun!!!
Ivy