Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, 
While it undoubtedly remains an essential aspect of my life, I sometimes find it increasingly challenging to defend the gaming community. Allow me to elaborate.
Some time ago, film critic Roger Ebert asserted that video games could not be considered art, which sparked outrage among a vast number of gamers who were eager to prove him wrong.
Recently, Ebert reiterated his stance, much to the dismay of the many individuals who had previously rallied against him. In his latest blog post, he briefly revisits the subject.
This leads me to my point, which I address to a specific demographic: those who vehemently opposed Ebert’s argument and adopted a vocal, insulting, or patronizing approach to counter his opinion. The issue I am discussing, in essence, is ignorance.
There is a distinct difference between disagreeing with someone and attempting to discredit their opinion based solely on your own perspective. Opinions are inherently subjective, and it is natural for individuals to hold differing viewpoints on various topics. Engaging in a reasoned debate is the appropriate way to address such disagreements. However, telling someone they are wrong without any factual support is a display of ignorance.
Unfortunately, a considerable portion of those who disagreed with Ebert’s statement adopted this ignorant approach, often attempting to undermine his credibility or personally insult him. This was accompanied by some of the more arrogant individuals who patronizingly claimed that “he simply doesn’t understand.”
Personally, I do not agree with Ebert’s stance, but I respect it and would not presume to tell him he is wrong. There are others who share my view and adopt a similar manner of expressing it, offering well-reasoned arguments and stimulating intelligent debate. However, when I witness yet another futile attack on Ebert’s intelligence, I lose a bit of hope for video games’ evolution as an art form.
Art does not have a single, clear definition, and what qualifies as artistic is continuously subject to interpretation. As such, there will never be a consensus on the “games as art” debate, rendering the entire discussion somewhat futile.
What bothers me is that those who would passionately argue their point fail to recognize that their attitude reflects their own insecurity more than anything else.
Should the opinion of one person truly upset you to such an extent? As I mentioned earlier, I firmly believe that video games are a new and exciting form of art City Scars - Graffiti and Fight For Urban Beauty - It is widely acknowledged that art is highly subjective and truly lies in the eye of the beholder. Often, differences of opinion merely reveal individual preferences, and it is generally agreed that these personal tastes should not override the freedom granted to the artist and their work. However, the issue of graffiti is one of… , which puts me in direct opposition to Ebert’s view. Does that frustrate or upset me? No, it does not, and it should not affect anyone else either.
It is worth remembering that Roger Ebert’s expertise lies in cinema, and as such, his opinions on the gaming world should not carry significant weight. His fame does not add credibility to his argument; it merely draws more attention to the debate.
In theory, this is a positive development – gaming should continuously progress and reach a broader audience. The success of the Nintendo Wii has demonstrated that people who previously had no interest in video games can indeed enjoy them, with “casual” gaming serving as an accessible entry point for those unfamiliar with the medium. What is to prevent art enthusiasts from being drawn in similarly? People are often too quick to criticize Ebert for his apparent ignorance, without considering how his commentary may have inadvertently benefited the gaming world.
What I find most endearing about Roger Ebert is the very aspect that seems to infuriate others: his ability to maintain his stance despite limited personal gaming experience When Gaming Fatigue Sets In: Navigating the Burnout - In the world of video games, an immersive escape from reality, it's not uncommon to encounter a paradoxical phenomenon: gaming fatigue. This state, often overlooked, emerges when the joy of gaming wanes, replaced by a sense of weariness or even aversion. It's an experience that, ironically, can stem from the very passion that draws players… . He openly acknowledges this fact, indicating that his opinion is based solely on his understanding of “art” rather than any preconceived notions about video games. This openness is a positive quality, as it implies that he might change his perspective if he were to engage more deeply with gaming experiences.
Regarding the footage shown to him, even I found it somewhat unconvincing. The games Kellee Santiago cited as “art” were, at best, debatable and, at worst, entirely non-artistic, with the possible exception of Braid. If I had given the presentation myself, I would have chosen to showcase games like Shadow of the Colossus and Okami, which are more aligned with preconceived artistic conventions. As it turned out, it seems Kellee misunderstood the point and presented indie games Raymond Thoughts about Games and Arts - Today we interview Raymond Jacobs, owner of Ethereal Darkness Interactive. Founded in 2002 Ethereal Darkness Interactive is commited to developing quality indie games with high production values. Raymond talks about his latest project, Morning's Wrath 2, about videogames, Arts and technology. Raymond Thoughts about Games and Arts Manuel Marino: You are working on some new… that leaned more towards thematic indulgence rather than genuine artistic expression, resulting in a rather weak demonstration.
Nevertheless, I believe it is quite likely that, at some point in the near future, someone will introduce Roger Ebert to a video game console. I cannot predict how he will react, but perhaps if presented with the right titles, we could potentially convert another skeptic into a believer.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
