Where's The Graphic Novel of Video Games?

I hate the term "videogames." Its banner spans too far and its definition too narrow. To be a little elitist for a second, I dislike how works like Red Dead Redemption share the same label as social games like Angry Birds. When I say, "I play video games," it could mean literally dozens of different activities. It could mean I play Wii Fit, FarmVille, or Shadow of the Colossus. This term has such a massive umbrella, encompassing such a wide variety of interactive activities, that anything electronically interactive is considered a video game. It's a shame, because as long as titles like Mass Effect, L.A. Noire, and LIMBO continue to be referred to as games, this art form will continue to be less credible in the eyes of the mainstream. The term "videogames" is too broad for such a diverse range of activates, yet it does not effectively define all areas of the medium.

This space offers a varied range of experiences but unfortunately, all are labelled as videogames. I understand social and hardcore games share similar concepts like "press X to do Y"; they're both interactive. However, I don't believe both should be referred to as games. One seeks solely to entertain whereas the other attempts to make the player feel. One aims to effectively fill the player's time whereas the other attempts to make the player think. One is a game while the other is an art form.

To be clear, many -in fact, most- hardcore titles are correctly defined by the medium's current alias. The Gears of Wars and Halos -though for "mature audiences"- are, in my eyes, considered games. However, titles like Heavy Rain and BioShock are something different. Titles attempting to explore adult themes, raise questions, and create emotionally engaging experiences should not be referred to as "games." The reason is the term implies an activity solely focused on entertainment purposes and is usually associated with hobbies for kids. In fact, Dictionary.com's first definition of the word is "an amusement or pastime: children's games." Mature and complex titles do not fit into this category.

Even some developers have challenged the notion of what should and what shouldn't be considered a videogame. In a 2009 interview with Destructoid, David Cage of Quantic Dream openly expressed how Heavy Rain was neither a game nor an interactive movie. "Heavy Rain is not a videogame anymore in my mind because it breaks with most of the traditional paradigms, but it's fully interactive." He continues to say "[i]f the format becomes successful, we will probably have to find a different name for this type of experience." Even though Heavy Rain breaks more "traditional paradigms" than the other mature titles mentioned above, I feel all break enough barriers to be excluded from being labelled as games. The sole purpose of these games isn't just to entertain, but also to engage the player on an emotional level.

Videogames aren't the only medium to find itself in this situation. Before the adoption of the graphic novel, comic books also had trouble gaining acceptance and credibility. Comics, too,  have a childish stigma associated with them and therefore are generally not considered a viable medium for telling mature stories. As all of us are aware, comics almost entirely centre on the adventures of super heroes and rarely enter the adult realm. The adoption of the graphic novel however, challenged and overcame the negative reputation associated with the medium. Graphic novels usually tell more complex, mature narratives and aren't bound to stories of super heroes and villains. Videogames are no stranger to mature themes and complex ideas, but the industry lacks the diction to define and distinguish the titles that do so.

The "videogame" label is an all encompassing one and a term that devalues the art form's credibility. And while the majority of games do fit and deserve this reputation, some do not.  Developers are creating more in-depth experiences than ever before but their creations are still defined as games. Hopefully as the industry continues to grow, these emotionally driven and thought provoking experiences will be defined under a new banner much like comic book's more mature and acceptable counterpart, the graphic novel. The interactive medium should have a similar category not only because it'd be more accurate but because the recognition this medium deserves is long overdue.

Source: Destructoid