While watching an interview with George R.R. Martin on the YouTube channel Aegon Targaryen, the interviewer posed a question about video games and their potential to replace books. Martin’s response was thought-provoking; he suggested that, although he doesn’t currently view video games as art, they might evolve into an artistic form in the future.

Presently, despite a growing acceptance of adults, particularly males, engaging in video games, there still seems to be a lingering stigma. Video games are often perceived as something reserved for kids or younger individuals. This got me thinking – what if the key to broadening the acceptance of video games as a legitimate form of entertainment for adults lies in their transformation into art?

By “art,” I don’t necessarily mean reclassifying first-person shooters or fighting games as high art. Instead, envision a shift in how individuals interact with the medium. The goal would be to move away from the stereotypical aspects of video games associated with a younger audience and towards a more artistic engagement.

George R.R. Martin touched on a fascinating aspect in the interview – the experience of wearing a VR headset. In this scenario, the person feels like they are climbing up a mountain, and the immersion is so realistic that it transcends conventional perceptions of video games. While it retains interactivity akin to a video game, it sheds the stereotypical qualities, embracing a more artistic and immersive quality.

In essence, the future acceptance of video games by adults might hinge on this transition towards a more artistic and immersive medium, challenging preconceived notions and offering a unique form of entertainment that goes beyond traditional classifications.

Original draft written in April 2019

Photo by Ralph