Classic Game Room - THE ART OF VIDEO GAMES book review

The Art of Video Games book review. Classic Game Room reviews THE ART OF VIDEO GAMES: FROM PAC-MAN TO MASS EFFECT from Chris Melissinos and Patrick O'Rourke published by Welcome Books in 2012. Roger Ebert says video games can never be art, this book shows quite the opposite and cites examples and captures developer interviews to prove its point. As video games are embraced as a new emerging art form the Smithsonian American Art Museum holds an exhibit called The Art of Video Games exhibit. This book is written by Smithsonian curator Chris Melisinos and features examples of art in video games from the past 40 years. Marvel at the art and creative work that went into games like Combat, Space Invaders and Pitfall on the Atari 2600. Chris then compares the early examples to '80s 8-bit classics such as The Legend of Zelda and 16-bit masterpieces like Phantasy Star IV. Modern releases like Bioshock, Minecraft and Mass Effect 2 complete the picture as developers earn bigger budgets and more advanced tools to complete their visions... but does it make better art? This hard cover book is a great addition to any gaming collection and makes a nice coffee table showpieces as well. Printed on glossy, high quality paper with great pictures and interviews you'll dig The Art of Video Games the most.