December 16,
2008
Author
Josh Jenisch puts forth the notion that video games are works of art
By
Michael Lafferty
Book
states the art of video games can “move and excite and inspire”
In the
preface to his book, The Art of the Video Game (Quirk Books, $40 suggested
retail but $32 on Amazon), author Josh Jenisch states that “I’m here to make the
argument that video games should be considered art.”
He goes on
to say that “I believe that great video games can move and excite and inspire
people – that they are every bit as worthy of our attention as great films,
great paintings, great novels and great symphonies.”
The
coffee-table style book is approximately 160 pages in length and features both
concept art and screens from 26 games – from Ace Combat 6 and Age of Conan
through Call of Duty to Hellboy and Hellgate, then from Lara Croft to NBA Live
08, The Sims, Sonic, Universe at War and ending up at Warmonger. There is a
brief history of video-game art, but the book generally deals with the art
itself.
Notably,
Jenisch includes some of the progressive evolution of characters and scenes, and
– at least from this perspective – his argument is valid. While obviously his
selection of the art to include is subjective, it still manages to drive the
point home, even if some notable exceptions are not in the book itself (one
could argue that Square Enix produces some of the most compelling and consistent
artwork found in games; and God of War or even SCEA’s Heavenly Sword – both
featuring stunning graphics – are not included; of course, one could compile a
healthy list of games worthy of inclusion).
But what
is offered here is a cross-section of games and the artwork that drives his
point.
Obviously
the stars of the book are the images that dominate the pages. Presented in a
format roughly 9.5” x 11.5”, the pages are printed with a matte finish, nothing
high gloss but rather a look that reads well in any light source.
Part of
the E3 convention is usually a display that highlights the art of the games. The
gallery features art of environments and such, displayed in large formats.
Jenisch’s book deviates from that just a bit and rather than filling the pages
of his book with merely pretty pictures, he gets down more to the nitty-gritty
elements, which includes central characters.
While
there will certainly be detractors to the notion that video-game graphics are
worthy of the title “art,” one only has to look at the scope of the work, at the
texturing and details to realize that the video-game industry is indeed home to
very talented artists capable of creating on a grand and even epic scale.
