Video Games — art or design?

Let’s get something clear: art is self-expression whereas design is problem-solving. The debate on where interactive media falls in-between the art & design spectrum could rage on for decades, but I’ll attempt to shed some light.

Movies can be considered “art” for Wes Anderson’s visual storytelling styles and Christopher Nolan’s gripping thrill-rides. It then makes sense that video games — a media form that adds interactivity to audio-visual entertainment — can be thought of that way too.

Games like Journey and Monument Valley are already considered works of art for obvious reasons. Great narratives combined with beautiful character models, environment art, and tranquil soundtracks are a feast for the eyes and ears. But it goes deeper than that. Games can be considered a triumph of design as well.

The Fallout series is a classic example where it solves the problem of games being restricted to a genre. It allows for the action-packed moments of a first-person shooter while simultaneously allowing the freedom and exploration options of role-playing games.

Furthermore, it carefully balances game mechanics such as inventory management, NPC interactions, combat, player choice, and skill trees based on how the player chooses to play. It’s a very deliberately designed system made to engage and immerse players in the lore and setting of the world.

Even simple things — like how the player navigates through a game menu, or what information is displayed on the player HUD (always or only when needed) — make a huge difference in the player’s unconscious perception of the game.

Level design, player progression, cutscene timings, load screens, and tutorials are all equally essential small parts of game design that make up the whole.

When these design decisions hit it off and pair well with a unique art style or theme in a game, you get real gems such as Portal, Dishonored, Borderlands, Uncharted, Super Smash Bros, and the classic Pokemon. Viscerally appealing imagery combined with powerful player retention models make for a well-designed game.

So all games can indeed be considered works of design. A few stand out as works of art. And the very best combine both art and design to deliver outstanding experiences in immersive entertainment.