Hello there! I am Thaius, and this is my new blog.
This is a place for exploration, investigation, and theorization of video games as a storytelling medium. Here, I hope to dig into some of the deeper artistic theory regarding video games, from the properties of interactive storytelling to the complications of adaptation from other mediums. Hopefully a bit of what is discussed here can help inform and shape not only your views on the subject, but my own as well.
Thing is, I've been studying video games as a narrative medium for quite a few years now, and due to the fact that this type of study is still trying to get off the ground, I've been trying to develop ideas, theories, and terminology that can help me better understand this exciting medium. However, all the articles and such that I write just sit on my computer, having helped me further develop my thoughts, but serving no purpose for anyone else. For that matter, without proper feedback on these ideas, I can't develop them beyond my own consciousness and knowledge. Thus, Binary Narrative was born.
Despite the fact that it is comprised of merely two different numerals, binary code can represent just about anything. It is extremely versatile, and vital to the digital world. For that matter, the word "binary" seems to imply clarity, a simple black-and-white way to view a given issue. Though few things are really this simple, especially in the artistic world, I think our culture has largely lost an understanding of the value of binary thinking in certain contexts, one of which is artistic theory.
Video games may seem simple as well, like simple entertainment or little toys, but they are much more. They are the next step in the evolution of storytelling, a medium that allows the player to actively participate in the story that is being told. This is one of the biggest breakthroughs in the artistic world since stories were first told. Their study is vital to the artistic world, and we all should learn to look at our games as more than simple wastes of time, and to consider the value they could have to us and society. However, many people have lost sight of this fact, settling for the idea that it does not matter whether or not games are art, that it's simply a matter of opinion and should not be pushed as an objective idea. This blog is here to explore these issues and themes, hopefully expanding both your and my views on the subject.
There is one important thing about me that I am going to specify regarding the way that I approach my research and theory; I am an artistic objectivist. I believe the meaning of the word "art," though hard to definitively define, has some specific elements (creativity, skill, purpose) that are an irremovable part of any artwork. These elements are present in all artworks, and works that include them are art. If a person or society does not recognize them as such, this does not mean it is "not art to them," it simply means they do not recognize its inherent and objective artistic status. It affects the ability of that given artwork or art form to affect the person or culture, but does not change what art is. Words are, after all, nothing more than a symbol; a culture can decide their own meaning of the word "art," but they cannot change what the actual concept is, only what they recognize of it. Following this, video games are art, plain and simple. However, I recognize that not everyone holds this view, and though my objectivism will be the foundation of many of my concepts and theories, I hold that they are still very important even to the most devoted subjectivist, and will address why in my writings.
Aside from the occasional reviews or commentaries on gaming news throughout the week, I am going to try to make sure I have a new article every Saturday at midnight. Feel absolutely free to comment on the posts or send me an email with any questions, complaints, disagreements, or topic suggestions. I will do my best to read them all and address them in one way or another.
I hope you enjoy this little adventure, and I hope you get as much out of it as I do.
FIRST! :P In all seriousness though, I can't wait to watch your theories develop!
ReplyDeleteMelas Zepheos here.
ReplyDeleteArt: Skill, Creativity, Purpose
Definitely an area you need to expand on. The definition of art is one that has haunted critics since the dawn of criticism, and spelling out exactly what you mean is one of the most important steps to take.
For example
Creativity: In what way? If you subscribe to Joseph Campbell's theory of the Hero of a Thousand Faces there aren't that many original protagonists or stories, and there are even some theorists who would claim that there are only seven stories in total in the whole of human history. So given this, no story can be entirely original. As such, is it enough to simply be creative in the way the story is told and presented (which would make early videogames creative but nor modern videogames) or is there something more to it?
Skill: This is probably the term I have most difficulty with. I am in the middle of making a jRPG-style game using RPG Maker VX. It doesn't really require any skill from me to create it. It does require creativity in designing the locations, the characters, the story etc, but all of the tools are there for me and I'm not using them in any way other than what the game's instruction manual tells me. I am entirely willing to conclude then that I am not using skill in my creation of this game but does that also automatically dismiss my game as art. Or does the fact that someone else has designed the system I am using make it an artistic project worked on by several people? This is more asking for clarification of your terms than attacking them. If a piece of art is made without skill, but has creativity and purpose, can it still be art? I would argue that it can, and would be interested to hear your views on same.
Purpose: This one I just don't quite understand your meaning of. For me, purpose would mean designed to do something. Whatever that something is, convey a story, provoke an emotional response, etc, as long as the piece of art has achieved it then it becomes art. And even if it doesn't achieve it for everyone the effort means it should be included. By this logic of course all games are basically art since they have a purpose, even if that purpose is only to engage the player until completion. Again this is another diea I would like to hear more from you on.
You seem to know what it is you want to say, which is at least better than stumbling in blind. Hopefully you continue to make your opinion clear instead of getting caught up in the argument instead of the point.