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Fact Check: Are video games art?

Fact Check: Are video games art?

Published May 9, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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VERDICT
Partially True

# Are Video Games Art? The claim that video games can be classified as art has sparked considerable debate among scholars, artists, and the general p...

Are Video Games Art?

The claim that video games can be classified as art has sparked considerable debate among scholars, artists, and the general public. This discussion encompasses various perspectives on what constitutes art, the cultural significance of video games, and their role in contemporary society. While some argue that video games possess artistic qualities akin to traditional art forms, others maintain that they fall short of this classification.

What We Know

  1. Legal Recognition: The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized video games as a form of artistic expression, granting them First Amendment protections similar to those afforded to books and films. This legal perspective suggests a level of artistic merit recognized by the highest court in the land 19.

  2. Exhibitions: The Smithsonian American Art Museum hosted "The Art of Video Games," which showcased the evolution of video games as an artistic medium. This exhibition highlighted the visual and technological advancements in gaming, suggesting that video games have a legitimate place in the art world 36.

  3. Philosophical Arguments: Aaron Smuts argues in his paper that many modern video games meet major definitions of art, emphasizing their narrative, aesthetic, and emotional components 2. Conversely, Roger Ebert famously contended that video games cannot be art, arguing that they are primarily a form of entertainment rather than an artistic expression 8.

  4. Cultural Impact: Articles have pointed out that video games can convey complex themes and emotions, similar to traditional art forms. For instance, the inclusion of video games in prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) further supports the argument for their artistic value 710.

  5. Diverse Opinions: There are varied opinions within the gaming community itself. Developers like Sean Murray have expressed ambivalence about categorizing video games strictly as art, suggesting that such classifications may not be particularly useful 4. Meanwhile, other commentators argue that the interactive nature of video games enhances their artistic potential 5.

Analysis

The debate over whether video games constitute art is multifaceted, involving legal, philosophical, and cultural dimensions.

  • Source Reliability: The sources cited range from academic papers 2 to mainstream media articles 410. Academic sources, such as Smuts' paper, generally provide a more rigorous analysis, while media articles may reflect the opinions of their authors or the publication's editorial stance. For example, Ebert's article 8 is a personal opinion piece and may not represent a comprehensive analysis of the topic.

  • Potential Bias: Some sources may have inherent biases. For instance, the Smithsonian exhibition 3 could be seen as promoting the idea of video games as art due to its institutional backing, while articles from gaming websites 7 may lean towards a more favorable view of video games as an artistic medium due to their target audience.

  • Methodological Concerns: The arguments presented often rely on subjective interpretations of what constitutes art. For example, Smuts' criteria for art may not universally apply, and Ebert's dismissal of video games as art could be seen as overly reductive. A more nuanced approach might involve a broader exploration of the definitions of art across cultures and time periods.

  • Additional Context: Further research could benefit from examining cross-cultural perspectives on video games and art, as well as the impact of technological advancements on artistic expression in gaming. Additionally, empirical studies assessing the emotional and cognitive effects of video games on players could provide more insight into their artistic value.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion that video games can be classified as art is partially true, supported by various forms of evidence. Legal recognition by the U.S. Supreme Court and exhibitions like "The Art of Video Games" at the Smithsonian lend credence to the idea that video games possess artistic qualities. Philosophical arguments also suggest that many video games meet significant definitions of art, particularly in their narrative and emotional depth.

However, the debate remains nuanced and complex. Critics, including prominent figures like Roger Ebert, argue against this classification, emphasizing the entertainment aspect of video games. Additionally, the subjective nature of art and the diverse opinions within the gaming community contribute to the uncertainty surrounding this classification.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of the available evidence. The definitions of art can vary widely across cultures and contexts, and the arguments presented often rely on personal interpretations. As such, while there is a strong case for considering video games as art, it is not universally accepted.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives when forming their own conclusions about the artistic value of video games.

Sources

  1. Video games as an art form - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_games_as_an_art_form
  2. "Video Games" by Aaron Smuts. https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/liberalarts_contempaesthetics/vol3/iss1/6/
  3. The Art of Video Games - Smithsonian American Art Museum. https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/games
  4. Are video games art? The makers of Dreams, No Man's Sky and Concrete ... - Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/video-games/are-video-games-art-makers-of-dreams-no-mans-sky-and-concrete-genie/
  5. Video games are art, and I'm not sure if that's still controversial. https://miscellanynews.org/2022/09/07/arts/video-games-are-art-and-im-not-sure-if-thats-still-controversial/
  6. Are Video Games Works of Art? - The Art Insider. https://www.art-insider.com/are-video-games-works-of-art/2780
  7. Games as Art: A Look at the Ongoing Debate - KeenGamer. https://www.keengamer.com/articles/features/opinion-pieces/games-as-art-a-look-at-the-ong/
  8. Video games can never be art - Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/roger-ebert/video-games-can-never-be-art
  9. The Art of Video Games - Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-art-of-video-games-101131359/
  10. An Argument That Video Games Are, Indeed, High Art - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/berlinschoolofcreativeleadership/2015/10/13/an-argument-that-video-games-are-indeed-high-art/

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Fact Check: Transcript 00:00 For all of their strutting about protesting that they support democracy. Not a one of them gave a damn about democracy when they pulled Biden off the ballot and dropped Kamala Harris in without a single Democrat primary voter voting for him. And you know what? Not a single Democrat is here today because not a single one of them gives a damn about the fact that they lied to the American people for four years. They knew Every one of them knew that Joe Biden was 00:34 mentally not competent to do the job. The White House Press Secretary. She knew when she stood in front of the American people and lied over and over and over again and they're not here because they can't defend themselves. It wasn't a surprise for four years the White House hid President Biden from Republican Senators. Would not let him meet with us. He served 40 years in this body. We all know him. And they deliberately lied and by the way Jake Tapper had a bombshell 01:08 book exposing the incredible scandal that Biden's mental decline was covered up by Jake Tapper. There's a Yiddish word and that truly is how dare we lie and cover up what we all knew. Now I have been asked literally a thousand times by Texans. Was running the country? And I'm going to give 01:40 you the most terrifying answer. I don't know. I genuinely don't know. And not a single Democrat here cares. The most telling proof of Biden's decline came with the signature of the president. The symbol of executive authority that was outsourced to a machine. Mister Wald you're a lawyer who served in the White House Council's Office. You understand the gravity of presidential action. Does the president's signature 02:10 carry legal and constitutional weight under article two? Yes. Is the act of signing an executive order or signing a law or granting a pardon a delegable duty of the president. Uh so in that opinion in 2005 from OLC they said essentially that an autopin could be used by a subordinate but the president's determination as to sign the document can never be delegated. Can that authority 02:41 be transferred to a staff or a machine without the president's explicit authorization? Never. And if you look at the statistics, the statistics are stunning. In 2021, President Biden issued 78 executive orders. None were signed with an auto pen. That first year the presidency, Biden I suppose was relatively lucid and 78 executive orders he signed by hand. The second year, however, we see the auto pen emerged. 03:15 The first auto pen executive order was issued on 15th 2022. After that day 100% of the executive orders issued in 2022 were signed by an autopen. In 2023 Biden issued twenty-four executive orders. 16 were auto penned. In 20twenty-four Biden issued 19. 14 were auto penned. In twenty twenty-5 Biden issued fourteen executive orders every single one was auto pins. 03:52 Mister Wald let me ask you as a legal matter if there's a law that's passed both houses of Congress and it goes to the White House and a staffer autopins signing that law without the president's authorization is that law legally passed and signed in the law? No. If an executive order is issued and a staffer autopins it without the president's authorization, is that executive order legally binding? No. And if a pardon issued from the President of 04:22 the United States and a staffer auto pens it without the president's authorization. Is that pardon legally binding? No. Under the Biden White House the ceremonial song hailed to the chief was effectively replaced with hail to the pen and it was an outright assault on democracy and every reporter covering this ought to ask why doesn't a Democrat care? We heard about the moral responsibilities of a staffer. 04:54 How about an elected senator who knows damn well that if we get into a war and Iran is preparing to fire a nuclear weapon at the United States that the commander in chief is busy playing with his jello and he's not competent to defend ourselves and every member of the cabinet, the chief of staff, the press secretary, and the members of Congress who lied about this on a daily basis with the press's complicity. They are all responsible for subverting democracy. Angry Ted Cruz is perhaps my favorite version of 05:27 Ted Cruz because when he's getting history on it, you might want to take a listen. He is definitely angry that there's some acting going on here in the line of hail to the chief change from hail to the pen that's not a smart line but it's still the truth. The truth is in this video right here ladies and gentlemen. The change in the way Joe Biden used the autopin is a steady upward moving graph from twenty twenty-one to the end of his presidency in early twenty 05:58 twenty-five. Okay? That is a noticeable issue. And if he does not directly authorize the autopin we've got We've got grounds to go through every single law Joe Biden has signed that way and perhaps ignore them all together. There's way more evidence behind the autopin theory and hopefully it ends up sticking. I I hope it does because I think this is in a way worse than the Bill Clinton perjury case. Cuz Bill 06:28 Clinton basically lied before Congress lied directly to the American people lied under oath. This is worse in a way. Because lying under oath means that you know where the truth is and you're just hoping to get away with it and there's a direct law. This however Signing with the auto pin is more opaque. It is an ultimate he said she said and you're dont rate the opinion oo just fact if there is

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Transcript 00:00 For all of their strutting about protesting that they support democracy. Not a one of them gave a damn about democracy when they pulled Biden off the ballot and dropped Kamala Harris in without a single Democrat primary voter voting for him. And you know what? Not a single Democrat is here today because not a single one of them gives a damn about the fact that they lied to the American people for four years. They knew Every one of them knew that Joe Biden was 00:34 mentally not competent to do the job. The White House Press Secretary. She knew when she stood in front of the American people and lied over and over and over again and they're not here because they can't defend themselves. It wasn't a surprise for four years the White House hid President Biden from Republican Senators. Would not let him meet with us. He served 40 years in this body. We all know him. And they deliberately lied and by the way Jake Tapper had a bombshell 01:08 book exposing the incredible scandal that Biden's mental decline was covered up by Jake Tapper. There's a Yiddish word and that truly is how dare we lie and cover up what we all knew. Now I have been asked literally a thousand times by Texans. Was running the country? And I'm going to give 01:40 you the most terrifying answer. I don't know. I genuinely don't know. And not a single Democrat here cares. The most telling proof of Biden's decline came with the signature of the president. The symbol of executive authority that was outsourced to a machine. Mister Wald you're a lawyer who served in the White House Council's Office. You understand the gravity of presidential action. Does the president's signature 02:10 carry legal and constitutional weight under article two? Yes. Is the act of signing an executive order or signing a law or granting a pardon a delegable duty of the president. Uh so in that opinion in 2005 from OLC they said essentially that an autopin could be used by a subordinate but the president's determination as to sign the document can never be delegated. Can that authority 02:41 be transferred to a staff or a machine without the president's explicit authorization? Never. And if you look at the statistics, the statistics are stunning. In 2021, President Biden issued 78 executive orders. None were signed with an auto pen. That first year the presidency, Biden I suppose was relatively lucid and 78 executive orders he signed by hand. The second year, however, we see the auto pen emerged. 03:15 The first auto pen executive order was issued on 15th 2022. After that day 100% of the executive orders issued in 2022 were signed by an autopen. In 2023 Biden issued twenty-four executive orders. 16 were auto penned. In 20twenty-four Biden issued 19. 14 were auto penned. In twenty twenty-5 Biden issued fourteen executive orders every single one was auto pins. 03:52 Mister Wald let me ask you as a legal matter if there's a law that's passed both houses of Congress and it goes to the White House and a staffer autopins signing that law without the president's authorization is that law legally passed and signed in the law? No. If an executive order is issued and a staffer autopins it without the president's authorization, is that executive order legally binding? No. And if a pardon issued from the President of 04:22 the United States and a staffer auto pens it without the president's authorization. Is that pardon legally binding? No. Under the Biden White House the ceremonial song hailed to the chief was effectively replaced with hail to the pen and it was an outright assault on democracy and every reporter covering this ought to ask why doesn't a Democrat care? We heard about the moral responsibilities of a staffer. 04:54 How about an elected senator who knows damn well that if we get into a war and Iran is preparing to fire a nuclear weapon at the United States that the commander in chief is busy playing with his jello and he's not competent to defend ourselves and every member of the cabinet, the chief of staff, the press secretary, and the members of Congress who lied about this on a daily basis with the press's complicity. They are all responsible for subverting democracy. Angry Ted Cruz is perhaps my favorite version of 05:27 Ted Cruz because when he's getting history on it, you might want to take a listen. He is definitely angry that there's some acting going on here in the line of hail to the chief change from hail to the pen that's not a smart line but it's still the truth. The truth is in this video right here ladies and gentlemen. The change in the way Joe Biden used the autopin is a steady upward moving graph from twenty twenty-one to the end of his presidency in early twenty 05:58 twenty-five. Okay? That is a noticeable issue. And if he does not directly authorize the autopin we've got We've got grounds to go through every single law Joe Biden has signed that way and perhaps ignore them all together. There's way more evidence behind the autopin theory and hopefully it ends up sticking. I I hope it does because I think this is in a way worse than the Bill Clinton perjury case. Cuz Bill 06:28 Clinton basically lied before Congress lied directly to the American people lied under oath. This is worse in a way. Because lying under oath means that you know where the truth is and you're just hoping to get away with it and there's a direct law. This however Signing with the auto pin is more opaque. It is an ultimate he said she said and you're dont rate the opinion oo just fact if there is

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Fact Check: It's actually on TikTok. Welcome to the cookout. You see, our people are now claiming our indigenous status. Look at our brother here. Tax exemption ID. Government ID of the Chihamaru Republic. This is really happening. We got another beloved sister here who received her tribal screening back. Positive Indigenous to the Americans. And even myself, I was able to get my screening done. Positive to the Americans. Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to know how I did this, all I need you to do is share this video, repost it, like, and comment. That's all I need from you, okay? And I'll show you guys how to correct your status back to Indigenous American. I love you. This is what I got on my momma. Let's do it. All right, so we corrected your status. We're not talking about the usual runaround you get where you're paying people and they're sending you templates and you gotta mail all of it, no. All right? What we're doing is we're taking a tribal screening through the Aboriginal Ministry of Justice. These are the requirements you will need to pass that tribal screening. You must currently domicile within the United States, born within America, North, Central, or South, parents or grandparents born within America, directly or indirectly experienced genocide, which for us, slavery, Jim Crow, civil rights, directly or indirectly experienced denationalization. Now, this right here is when they strip you of your nation, if you're black, Negro, Cherokee, mulatto, all type of different names, okay? So the cost of this is $75 for adults, $50 for kids.
Partially True

Fact Check: It's actually on TikTok. Welcome to the cookout. You see, our people are now claiming our indigenous status. Look at our brother here. Tax exemption ID. Government ID of the Chihamaru Republic. This is really happening. We got another beloved sister here who received her tribal screening back. Positive Indigenous to the Americans. And even myself, I was able to get my screening done. Positive to the Americans. Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to know how I did this, all I need you to do is share this video, repost it, like, and comment. That's all I need from you, okay? And I'll show you guys how to correct your status back to Indigenous American. I love you. This is what I got on my momma. Let's do it. All right, so we corrected your status. We're not talking about the usual runaround you get where you're paying people and they're sending you templates and you gotta mail all of it, no. All right? What we're doing is we're taking a tribal screening through the Aboriginal Ministry of Justice. These are the requirements you will need to pass that tribal screening. You must currently domicile within the United States, born within America, North, Central, or South, parents or grandparents born within America, directly or indirectly experienced genocide, which for us, slavery, Jim Crow, civil rights, directly or indirectly experienced denationalization. Now, this right here is when they strip you of your nation, if you're black, Negro, Cherokee, mulatto, all type of different names, okay? So the cost of this is $75 for adults, $50 for kids.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: It's actually on TikTok. Welcome to the cookout. You see, our people are now claiming our indigenous status. Look at our brother here. Tax exemption ID. Government ID of the Chihamaru Republic. This is really happening. We got another beloved sister here who received her tribal screening back. Positive Indigenous to the Americans. And even myself, I was able to get my screening done. Positive to the Americans. Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to know how I did this, all I need you to do is share this video, repost it, like, and comment. That's all I need from you, okay? And I'll show you guys how to correct your status back to Indigenous American. I love you. This is what I got on my momma. Let's do it. All right, so we corrected your status. We're not talking about the usual runaround you get where you're paying people and they're sending you templates and you gotta mail all of it, no. All right? What we're doing is we're taking a tribal screening through the Aboriginal Ministry of Justice. These are the requirements you will need to pass that tribal screening. You must currently domicile within the United States, born within America, North, Central, or South, parents or grandparents born within America, directly or indirectly experienced genocide, which for us, slavery, Jim Crow, civil rights, directly or indirectly experienced denationalization. Now, this right here is when they strip you of your nation, if you're black, Negro, Cherokee, mulatto, all type of different names, okay? So the cost of this is $75 for adults, $50 for kids.

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Partially True

Fact Check: A deportation drive targeting India’s Muslim minority was marked by mass home demolitions, arbitrary detentions, allegations of beatings and a lack of due process, according to interviews with Bangladeshi officials and more than 50 people swept up in the pursuit, as well as a Post review of government data, court documents and video footage.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: A deportation drive targeting India’s Muslim minority was marked by mass home demolitions, arbitrary detentions, allegations of beatings and a lack of due process, according to interviews with Bangladeshi officials and more than 50 people swept up in the pursuit, as well as a Post review of government data, court documents and video footage.

Jul 26, 2025
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Fact Check: Are video games art? | TruthOrFake Blog