Digital games- But are they art?

a) How does Adams define art? Do you agree with his definition?

Adams define art as different perspective, for its category, historical value and expressiveness, namly its thoughts and content. He mentioned art can be classified as different kinds, like fine art, modern art, decorative art etc, yet there is no clear boundary to divid art into different catergories, and it is the attractiveness of art. He also mentioned that art is supposed to be long-lasting and able to represent its era.

For him, art is about the message and ideas behind, which can lead audience to deep thinking. Art has no designed pattern, but the more characteristics above, it would present a higher aesthetic experience for the work.    

I do agree with Adams’ definition. His statement is comprehensive and easy for people to understand the meaning of art. He focus on what count as art form and what characteristic would be regard as art. It’s true that there is a grey area for defining art, for example, does design count as art? Such a question is raised for many years, as Adams said, we can’t clearly classified every art form, but their artistic quality can still be evaluated by other factors like the durability of the works, which is useful and effective for people to define art.   

b) According to Adams, what is needed for videogames to be considered as art? 

There are mainly 3 parts for videogames to do with. Firstly, videogames need critics to evaluate its artistic value, just as an artwork also need art critics to criticize their work. Professional opinion can be a reference for videogames to considered as art form, not entirely a game with no design and artistic element. Besides, Adams think that videogames should contain underlying meaning for audience so as to enrich its expressiveness. Lastly, videogames should be designed as creative and challenging, therefore attract players to pay attention on it, and even explores its artistic quality.