Games as Art Debate Research Part 3

Game: Grand Theft Auto IV
Link #6
The criticism this article brings to light in interesting because it does not address the violence of the Grand Theft Auto series and more of what people see in the story. He rants about how the story is nothing special and "Sub-Tarantino" but also admits that he never gets very far in the games at all. This is a common pattern against people who criticize the value of gaming, they rarely ever put a lot of effort into finishing the game or never play the game at all. In this case the writer is criticizing those who are impressed with GTA IV's story, even though he has no idea what it is.

Game: Metal Gear Solid Series
Link #7
The Metal Gear Solid series has been a big component of the "games as art" debate. With it's sprawling story of political espionage along with the brilliant writing and directing it is often considered the absolute best you can get out of a game. Director of Metal Gear Solid, Hideo Kojima, often thinks differently. He is notorious for being very critical and negative about his own work even though it is almost universally praised. It is a shocking blow for the man behind some of the greatest games of all time to declare that he does not think games are art. It is his belief that artists try to appeal to one specific group, while game creators try to appeal to a broad group. Once again his opinion is subjective, but nonetheless it is shocking to hear this coming from the creator of a critically hailed game series.

Link #8
This article addresses how in America specifically, games are being given limits that do not allow them to become art. The ratings system is broken, the creativity is too far and between, and no one seems to be arguing against it. If a game receives an AO (Adults Only) rating, no store will carry it, the developers censor their game to avoid the rating. How can the art form grow if someones creative vision is automatically limited by the ESRB?