Art is a difficult word to define. It is the definition that changes as time goes by and different cultures have their own opinions on what it actually means. What does one person consider art, another considers trash? For many people, games are not considered art but rather entertainment or simple pastimes such as watching movies or playing sports. However, there are some who argue that gaming can be just as creative and requires more skill than other forms of media because of its interactive nature. Some people even say it’s an art form in itself for gamers like Phillip Rosedale who believe the experience can draw from the player emotions similar to those found in traditional fine arts such as painting and sculpture (Rosen).

The idea that gaming can be an art form is not a new one. The first video game was created in the early 1900s by Thomas Tullis who made it for his son’s amusement (Rosen). However, this did not mean that gaming was an art form. In the 1970s and 1980s, video games were considered to be a simple pastime for children and teenagers (Rosen). It wasn’t until around 1990 when the first game aimed at adults such as Ultima IV, and the development of the first 3D game such as Doom that gaming began to be considered an art form.

In 1992, a group of artists and designers created the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) in order to promote their members and to help them become more successful. The IGDA is a non-profit organization that provides services for developers such as legal advice, industry standards, and networking opportunities (IGDA).

In 2006, the IGDA created an award known as the “IGDA Developer of the Year” which is given to developers who have shown a special talent in game development (IGDA). However, there are some that believe this award does not accurately represent the true skill and talent of a developer.

In 2010, the IGDA created a new award called the “IGDA Lifetime Achievement Award” which is given to developers who have contributed greatly in game development (IGDA). This is an alternative to the previous award because it gives more recognition to developers for their work.

In 2011, the IGDA created another award called “IGDA Best in Class” which is given to developers who have shown a great deal of talent in their field (IGDA). This award is also an alternative to the previous award because it gives more recognition to developers for their work.

In 2012, the IGDA created a new award called “IGDA Visionary Award” which is given to developers who have shown a great deal of talent in their field (IGDA). This award is also an alternative to the previous award because it gives more recognition to developers for their work.

In 2013, the IGDA created a new award called “IGDA Hall of Fame” which is given to developers who have shown great talent in their field (IGDA). This award is also an alternative to the previous award because it gives more recognition to developers for their work.

Beyond all these rewards granted by the IGDA are people who strive hard to create their own art. So whether video games are considered art or not, there is no denying that there is creativity in developing these games and there are gamers yield certain emotions from playing it whether it is on a $600 gaming laptop or cheaper. Not everyone has the skill to create games that people will love and appreciate. So if video gaming is not an art and entertainment is, then where should video gaming be categorized?