Mario, as High Art

Roger Ebert has set the fan boys afire with his recent commentary on video games. This very same argument broke out a year ago when Ebert made the brash claim that video games are not art and never will be. Growing tired of the mockery, Ebert has written a more detailed explanation of his stance. In a direct response to Clive Barker, Ebert explains that he didn't mean video games cannot be art. He meant that video games can never be High Art.

Luckily for the game community, there has been some growth over the last year. Specifically, there has been a maturing in the realm of game journalism and criticism. N'Gai Croal stands as the best of the new guard, and he has decided to respond to Mr. Ebert in defense of games.

The basic plot is that Ebert knows little to nothing about games, and his close minded remarks sound identical to those made in the infancy of cinema. It's a fun debate to follow if you are so inclined. Croal includes excerpts from the others if you want to skip to the end, but a first hand reading of Barker and Ebert is available on the intertubes.