by Evan Goodrich.

Art is perhaps the hugest umbrella term there could be. It includes visual, theatrical, musical, film, animation. The world of art is vast. But there are still mediums whose artistic merit is heavily debated.

Video games were first created in the ‘70s, starting with the endearingly basic “Pong.”  The artistry behind “Pong” is, by many, deemed nonexistent, along with other games of its time. However, the market only grew from there throughout the ‘80s, and entered the mainstream market in the ‘90s. Several series pushed the boundaries of storytelling and visual design, such as “Final Fantasy,” “The Legend of Zelda,” “Tomb Raider,” and countless others. Elements important to all art mediums were becoming increasingly critical in the development of video games.

The trend became even more apparent post-millennium, with more powerful game consoles allowing more artistic freedom and greater graphics quality, as well as the mainstream usage of voice acting. Several games were beginning to resemble actual movies.

But the question still remains: are video games a true art form? Many argue on both sides. High-profile film critic Roger Ebert, a personal hero of mine, argued that video games can never be deemed art because of their interactivity and how the experience can change depending on how it is played, as opposed to movies, books, etc having a set formula. However, he did go back and apologize, although he stood by his words.

Looking back, video games truly have amazed and inspired me in ways no other entertainment mediums have. When I think of a game that deserves to be called a work of art, “Final Fantasy X” always comes to mind. It was my first “Final Fantasy” game that I played back when I was 9.

To say that the game was breathtaking would be a huge understatement. Playing through the story for the first time, watching the growing bonds between the characters and the trials they had to go through was one of the most captivating experiences of my life. Maybe that sounds nerdy and pathetic, but I couldn’t disagree more. To this day, playing through “Final Fantasy X” gives me a certain form of solace that no other work has ever provided.

And that’s just the beginning – countless game companies strive to create powerful stories, relatable characters and inspired settings in their games, and they will only continue to evolve and move forward in their artistry.

I firmly believe that video games hold their place in the world of art and are there to stay.