In recent years, video games have gained increasing recognition as a legitimate art form, challenging conventional ideas of what constitutes artistic expression. Games such as Journey and The Witness serve as excellent examples of how video games combine interactive experiences with visual artistry. Journey, with its breathtaking landscapes and minimalist design, creates an emotional experience without a single word spoken. Through its art style and the player's interaction with the environment, the game evokes powerful emotions like isolation, beauty, and connection, demonstrating how video games can elicit feelings often associated with fine art.

Another game that highlights video games as art is Inside, a side-scrolling puzzle platformer that immerses players in a dystopian world through dark and atmospheric visuals. The use of muted colors, sparse sound design, and eerie environmental storytelling creates a heavy atmosphere that aligns with the game’s themes of control, rebellion, and the human condition. Inside shows how video games can convey deep messages and provoke profound philosophical thoughts, using art and gameplay as powerful mediums, thus reinforcing the idea that video games can have as much artistic impact as traditional visual arts.

Games like Gris also challenge the boundaries of conventional game design by using art, music, and color to explore emotions. With its painterly aesthetic and evocative soundtrack, the game tells the story of the protagonist’s emotional journey through grief and healing. The absence of spoken language allows the visuals and music to carry the narrative, highlighting how video games can create powerful emotional connections through artistry and interactivity. In this way, Gris represents how video games are pushing the limits of storytelling and creating new opportunities for art.

The inclusion of video games in renowned art galleries further signifies their growing acceptance as an art form. Institutions like the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art have incorporated video games into their collections, acknowledging their artistic value. These museums recognize video games not only for their cultural significance but also for their creative merit. By showcasing games in galleries and exhibitions, they emphasize the artistic vision, craftsmanship, and creativity behind their design, likening them to traditional art forms such as sculpture, painting, and film.

Ultimately, video games have evolved beyond their initial role as mere entertainment, becoming a distinctive form of art. By blending visual design, interactive storytelling, music, and player agency, games provide an immersive experience that is both emotionally and intellectually stimulating. As the gaming industry continues to grow, the recognition of video games as an art form will only strengthen, ensuring they are appreciated not just as entertainment but as valuable cultural contributions.