Gaming as an art form

I don't need to tell any of you that gaming has a widespread, varied fanbase, that is only expanding. Gaming has gotten to the point where there has even become a discernable difference between the mainstream and non. It seems to me as though any form of entertainment stands chance to evolve into an art form, and video gaming is at least taking steps. This may seem like an odd thought, but I'd remind you that films were a novelty at first... I wouldn't say that it's there yet, nor do I neccessarily beleive that it's garunteed to reach that point, but I think it has a solid footing. Now onto the questions...
I think for gaming to be considered an art it would have to be established as a member of either an existing genre or one entirely of its own, what kind of art would it be? Would it be visual art, for it's graphics? Musical for the scores? Perhaps even a performance art?
Who would be the artist? The developer seems the obvious choice, but, as I'm sure you've all seen some of the Japanese shooter videos, could the player qualify as well?
What else is gaming going to need if any portion of it is ever going to become art? It seems to me that the greatest artists of the greatest art forms have all created works that reflected what was occuring in the world at any given day, can you see this happening in games? Or do you know of a game where it has already happened?
If you've made it this far in the post, I thank you for hearing me out, and apologize that it's more questions than answers, but I think the possibility is a legitimate one and would like to hear your thoughts.

Gaming needs to induce some sort of mainstream paradigm shift. If we all (not just gamers) are made to think differently because of one influential game, then the industry might have a shot at the "art" category.

But other art forms (such as music and movies) have the mainstream and artistic cultures running paralell to each other, is this possible for games? or would it require situations that are, as of now, too hard to create?

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Originally posted by Morpheus
It seems to me that the greatest artists of the greatest art forms have all created works that reflected what was occuring in the world at any given day, can you see this happening in games? .

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Splinter Cell? :)

Was splinter cell based on a book?

/me kicks Morpheus

I think all the Tom Clancy games are based on books. :p
That doesn't take away from the fact that it's a game, though. I mean, LotR is film making magic, and that's based on a book. :)

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Originally posted by Rich
That doesn't take away from the fact that it's a game, though. I mean, LotR is film making magic, and that's based on a book.

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That's a good point, but then I wouldn't exactly call Clancy a modern day Hemmingway, where Tolkeins works were quite an acheivement. What I mean was more along the lines of social commentary, and while I can't say I'm really familiar with Clancy's stuff it seems more like adventure kind of stuff. For something to be considered art I think it has to have a degree of depth, on either a personal or social/political level, that's a bit more what I had in mind.

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Originally posted by Morpheus
For something to be considered art I think it has to have a degree of depth, on either a personal or social/political level, that's a bit more what I had in mind.

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Splinter Cell is based on the fictional political situation between the US and Georgia, and terrorism. :)

Y'know, I've yet to find out how Clancy was involved in Splinter Cell. He's not listed as assisting with story duties or "original concept" or anything in the credits. So what the hell did he with the game other than say "Sure, put my name on it..." ?

As for the subject of this thread, that's hard to say. Most games these days are more akin to cable TV programing than a major motion picture or NY Times Best Seller or a painting at the Met. It all depends on how you define art and art forms. One way to define art is as something man made that "speaks" to you. (unusual definition, I know). When was the last time a video game "spoke" to you, or really affected you? I'm having a hard time coming up with anything in that respect.

Granted, there are a lot of book, movies, shows, and paintings that have no affect on me, so maybe that's a bad train of thought. But hey, I tried. :)

The definition of art is debatable, of course, but I think that yes, gaming has already achieved artistic status. Certainly already in the case of soundtracks, but also in the case of the visual: Metroid Prime, Ico, Rez, Orta, Ikaruga, GunValkyrie.....even the Resident Evil remake is described in PLAY as being an interactive gallery of gothic paintings (which I think is an accurate description).

In my opinion, Splinter Cell is less artistic, because what it attempts to do is mimic reality - it's still created through an artistic process, but since it aspires to mimic something that already exists, it's less a creative act then making something that doesn't exist (like Metroid Prime). Same holds for sports and most racing games - damn they look sweet, and are rendered with care and skill, but they are reality simulations instead of pure creation.

But this is my own opinion about the definition of art.

The player can certainly interact in an artistic sense, if the capabilities are allowed. I don't think games can necessarily be called performance art on their own merit, although the process of watching someone play a game could be, I suppose.

I don't know if great art can be defined as a reflection of reality, but that's my own personal feeling. I tend to gravitate towards the fantastic, anyway.

As far as what gaming needs in order to become artistic, I'd say it boils down to the emotional response of those who witness it. Something like Ico creates a certain type of profound emotion, while GTA3 creates another, and JSRF still another. There are lots of different kinds, and levels, of artistic expression, but I think trying to define which is which is a pretty pointless exercise, because everyone has their own interpretations.

As technology continues to expand, the potential of games to continue the artistic trend expands as well. But the field is well on its way to being fully recognized for what it achieves.

edit: From what I understand, Wolffen, Ubi Soft created the concept of a Splinter Cell and the character of Sam Fisher, but Clancy contributed details and a lot of the game's plot. So it's not really a completely Clancy-fueled idea, like, say, Rainbow Six.