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Messages - Fatty The Hutt

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2376
Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 180
« on: January 29, 2010, 11:11:15 AM »
as an artist myself, I've come to my own definition over the years. It is a modified form of Scott McCloud's excellent, though overbroad, definition in his seminal "Understanding Comics." To him, art is anything that requires creative thought. At first, this sounds like an odd definition--he essentially states that art is anything that is NOT related to reproduction or survival.
 
As a naturalist, I wholly disagree that the three categories can be segregated from each-other. Creative thought is often but into trying to reproduce, or to make money for one's survival.
 
No, I rather prefer to think that "art" is anything that requires creative thought beyond practical means.
...
 
So, under this definition, all video games are art by their very existance. Creative thought went into even the worst games. They are, in themselves, entirely IMpractical. The same goes for literature, film, and television. Quality does not equal art. It is the process of creating something inherently creative--not practical--that warrants the term "art."

I quite like this definition of "art" as a starting point but I do have one fundamental qualifier: I think the purpose of art is indeed very practical. Maybe we (like Johnny and James) will be arguing over semantics and/or the definition of "practical". But what I mean is, I think some of the purposes of art are to illuminate or reflect the human condition and to provoke a feeling of "elevation". When I use the term "elevation," I am here pilfering the concept of "elevation" from Roger Ebert. He wrote of "elevation in his blog here:http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/01/i_feel_good_i_knew_that_i_woul.html
 
The irony of stealing an idea from Ebert is not lost on me for it is he who has flamed the fires of the videogames-as-art debate by stating unequivocally and on many occasions that he does not think videogames are art. On that point, he is, in my opinion, simply dead wrong.
 
Ebert, and others, describe "elevation" as the sensation one gets when we see good people doing good things or things that are "right" (morally speaking, I suppose). These moments can be profoundly sad, but they move us in a specific way. I think this definition of "elevation" is a bit narrower than what I think of as "art." Rather art, to me, speaks to me about what it is to be human and alive. This, to me, includes moments of "elevation" but also moments that remind us of the darkness of humankind. Is it not true, for example, that humans are the only of Earth's creatures that murder, rape, commit crimes of passion and are deliberately cruel? Communicating those aspects of "humanity" is important in art as well. When I experience moments of "art" that reflect or illuminate humanity, I get that tingly feeling that Ebert talks about in his article of "elevation." That's why I've cited it here. I can also get that tingly feeling simply from artistic works that are praised primarily for their beauty and not much else. I am moved by the beauty alone. I think that feeling is specifically human, too.
 
But back to "practicality". All I am saying is that I think it is eminently practical, necessary even, for humans to seek to illuminate, elevate, touch, whatever, through "art." We all know videogames can and regularly do this. Videogames are art. Its a no-brainer. Maybe not all videogames are "art" but certainly many qualify.
 
 

2377
Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Poll -- Second Chance Edition
« on: January 29, 2010, 09:30:57 AM »
I downloaded and started playing last night. Good game so far.

I have things to say. Where's our thread?

2378
Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Poll -- Second Chance Edition
« on: January 28, 2010, 01:57:07 PM »
Super Mario RPG, huh? Why is it anything with "Mario" in the title always gets the popular vote? I think Nintendo may be on to something here. Someone should tell them. Maybe they'll make Mario their official mascot or something. like Mickey Mouse! Everyone loves Mickey Mouse, right?

Anyway, here we go with SMRPG.

2379
TalkBack / Re: Iwata Turned Down Natal Technology for Wii
« on: January 27, 2010, 11:34:08 AM »
Smart move on Iwata's part, methinks. I don't see Natal taking the gaming world by storm anytime soon.

2380
Nintendo Gaming / Re: Excitebots:Trick Racing!
« on: January 25, 2010, 10:21:03 AM »
This weekend we slipped this game back in the Wii after a several month hiatus. Man, this is a fun game. I like playing it. I equally enjoy watching my 12 year old play it because he is so freaking good at it. He was motivated to unlock the lobster and the centipede so I just sat back and watched him have at it. Exciting as any hockey game IMO.

2381
Nintendo Gaming / Re: No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle
« on: January 25, 2010, 10:16:12 AM »
I'd dig a NMH DS that looks like GTA Chinatown Wars. Zoom it in a bit more, change the perspective more and add Zelda DS style touch controls for movement and attacks/finishes and it could be quite fun.
This is a very good idea (both of them)

2382
Nice! Congrats.
Coincidentally, I just finished listening to the E3 2009 Day 3 podcast wherein Johnny talked about making a point of seeing the live 1UP podcast recorded there. I think I'll track that down for a listen as a sort of "free preview" of what may come out of PAX East from RFN.
 
I really like the panel description blurb. I'd go see that panel! I especially love the mention of "more WiiWare games than you knew existed." I suggest a hefty segment of the panel be focussed on VC and WiiWare. Some "hidden gem" discussions would be cool and I think the PAX East crowd may be appreciative of something like that. Just my $0.02.

2383
TalkBack / Re: First Bit.Trip Runner Details Revealed
« on: January 22, 2010, 09:40:53 AM »
Wow, looks like a big step up from previous Bit Trip entries. I have Beat (which is great but very hard) and I've been meaning to pick up Void. I think I'll pass on Core. This one looks very different and, in a way, expanded. I wonder of the price will go up?

2384
Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Poll -- Second Chance Edition
« on: January 21, 2010, 08:14:32 PM »
Well, I've read up on all these games now and decided to vote for ActRaiser. I was initially thinking I'd vote for StarTropics as I'd heard about it but ActRaiser just sounds so intriguing. I'm not much interested in Bonk and I'm not in the mood for MarioRPG. ComixZone just sounds too hard for my liking. But ActRaiser sounds trippy and well executed so I hope it wins. I haven't played any of the candidates so whatever is chosen, at least it'll be new to me.

BTW, the opportunity to vote caused me to finally join the NWR Forums instead of just lurking. This is my first post. This will also be my first participation in RetroActive. Looking forward to it. I adore the podcast.

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