Charls Carroll - New Video Games Are Not Art

Summary

The speaker passionately discusses their disillusionment with the modern gaming industry, criticizing the focus on visuals over gameplay and the lack of innovation since the arcade era. They argue that current games, despite high production values, often lack the artistic merit of older titles. The speaker also expresses skepticism about the industry's treatment of developers and the repetitive nature of new releases, suggesting that true artistry in gaming has been lost and is unlikely to return.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The speaker expresses a general disinterest in new games and graphics, focusing on the lack of significant improvements in gaming experiences like frame rates and loading times.
• 🖥️ A criticism of Unreal Engine 5 is mentioned, with the speaker not being impressed by the visuals or the new games showcased.
• 🕹️ The speaker is particularly bothered by the persistence of loading screens and sub-60 frame rates in modern games, despite the use of dedicated hardware.
• 🎨 There's a strong opinion that video games, especially newer ones, are not art and that the industry has lost its way in terms of creativity and talent.
• 📅 A nostalgic view is expressed, with the speaker reminiscing about the quality and smoothness of arcade games from the past compared to current games.
• 🗑️ The speaker criticizes modern game design, suggesting that it focuses on suffering, confusion, and the meaningless, rather than elevating the player's spirit.
• 👎 Dislike is expressed for certain art styles in games, such as the 'Fortnite-esque' and 'sexy anime' styles, which the speaker finds unappealing.
• 👍 A few games from the past, like 'Loom' and 'Monkey Island,' are mentioned as examples of games that could be considered art.
• 🚫 The speaker is not a fan of modern game mechanics that involve violence, sex, and other adult themes, which they believe do not contribute to art.
• 🤔 There's a call for the listener to take action if they are truly concerned about the state of the gaming industry, suggesting that creating their own games might be the answer.

Q & A

What is the speaker's opinion on Unreal Engine 5?

The speaker is not impressed with Unreal Engine 5 and has become indifferent to new visuals or games, indicating a general disinterest in the current state of the gaming industry.

Why does the speaker express dissatisfaction with the game industry?

The speaker is dissatisfied with the game industry due to the treatment of designers and developers, the quality of games released, and the presence of loading screens and sub-60 frame rates on dedicated hardware.

What does the speaker believe about the realism in video games?

The speaker believes that the more realistic a video game is, the less it represents art, as video games are an abstract representation of imagination and not meant to be realistic.

What is the speaker's stance on video games being considered art?

The speaker is adamant that video games will never be art, arguing that true art should elevate the spirit and soul, which he feels modern games do not achieve.

Which games does the speaker consider as examples of art in the gaming industry?

The speaker mentions games like Loom, Monkey Island 1 & 2, Grim Fandango, and Full Throttle as examples of games that could be considered art forms.

What does the speaker think about modern games in comparison to arcade games from the past?

The speaker compares modern games unfavorably to arcade games from the past, which he recalls as having smooth gameplay at 60 frames per second without loading screens.

What is the speaker's view on the current trend of game graphics and art styles?

The speaker criticizes the current trend of game graphics and art styles, particularly the 'Fortnite-esque' and 'sexy anime' styles, which he finds unappealing and of low artistic value.

Why does the speaker mention The Witcher 3 in the context of art?

The speaker uses The Witcher 3 as an example to question what qualifies as art in games, arguing that despite being a AAA game, its content of violence and explicit themes does not align with his definition of art.

What does the speaker suggest about the future of games and the industry?

The speaker predicts that future games will focus on suffering, confusion, and meaninglessness, moving further away from what he considers to be elevating or enriching experiences.

What is the speaker's opinion on the role of sex and violence in games?

The speaker is critical of the inclusion of sex and violence in games, suggesting that these elements are often used for shock value rather than to contribute to a meaningful or cautionary narrative.