Are Table Top RPGs Art?
I would say yes. I ask a few questions in order to qualify parts of that statement.
First, where in the timeline of gaming does it fall? (This assumes a decent amount of history, which there is.)
Second, what is the context of the game? (This assumes we can understand things about the game like setting, theme, objectives and systems, which we can)
and Thirdly, how does it relate to our human experience? (does it make us ask questions about the world around us? or relate human emotion, experience, issues of self identity? or allow us to use our mental capacity in creative ways through interpretation, analysis, etc.)
Taking all of that into consideration, I say “Yes!” TTRPGs are definitely an artform, some are my flavor and others are not.
No! Do not engage! I repeat: do. not. engage.
No! Do not engage! I repeat: do. not. engage.
haha!
haha!
I’m going to take a different tack and say that I think this question is flawed and harmful from the outset. I did my whole dissertation on the flawed premise of asking “is art a language?” (Referencing French semiotics and the early-mid 20c Abstract Expressionists.) But I digress. My point is you first have to tell me what art is. And then you have to tell me about rpgs as a medium. And then you can answer the question. But since we can’t do either of those things very well, especially the former, and certainly not in a G+ sized post, this question is wide-fucking-open and is just going to lead to meaningless and frustrating debate, which in turn leads to hurt feelings and anger over the popularity contest over whose opinions are the most valid. So, I don’t fault you for asking the question. It seems like it should be an interesting question. But since it cannot lead to meaningful discussion, it needs to be tackled in a more precise way. You might ask, for instance, are RPGs like jazz, and in what way? Or is the fundamental act of participating in an RPG like performance art? Narrow the field, is what I’m saying. 🙂
I’m going to take a different tack and say that I think this question is flawed and harmful from the outset. I did my whole dissertation on the flawed premise of asking “is art a language?” (Referencing French semiotics and the early-mid 20c Abstract Expressionists.) But I digress. My point is you first have to tell me what art is. And then you have to tell me about rpgs as a medium. And then you can answer the question. But since we can’t do either of those things very well, especially the former, and certainly not in a G+ sized post, this question is wide-fucking-open and is just going to lead to meaningless and frustrating debate, which in turn leads to hurt feelings and anger over the popularity contest over whose opinions are the most valid. So, I don’t fault you for asking the question. It seems like it should be an interesting question. But since it cannot lead to meaningful discussion, it needs to be tackled in a more precise way. You might ask, for instance, are RPGs like jazz, and in what way? Or is the fundamental act of participating in an RPG like performance art? Narrow the field, is what I’m saying. 🙂
Tabletop RPGs are a Craft.
Tabletop RPGs are a Craft.
Absolutely agree with Ray Otus. This question could be fruitful, but we’d first need to eliminate all forms of ‘What is the true definition of art?’, since words don’t have true definitions (and in any case, ‘art’ is more like a cluster of associations than something sharply definable). You get much further asking questions like, ‘Can you hang RPGs on a wall?’ (no) ‘Can you get rich people to buy them and display them as part of their public identity?’ (no) ‘Can you apply great craftsmanship to playing an rpg?’ (yes), etc.
Absolutely agree with Ray Otus. This question could be fruitful, but we’d first need to eliminate all forms of ‘What is the true definition of art?’, since words don’t have true definitions (and in any case, ‘art’ is more like a cluster of associations than something sharply definable). You get much further asking questions like, ‘Can you hang RPGs on a wall?’ (no) ‘Can you get rich people to buy them and display them as part of their public identity?’ (no) ‘Can you apply great craftsmanship to playing an rpg?’ (yes), etc.
I will just have to agree to disagree. If art was so incapable of being defined, I would assume that museums, books (barges of them – and yes, art has a specific language) performance halls, entire colleges and universities, including literary art and many many more things would not exist. Just because we lack the means with which to define something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or has no definable boundaries (take the acceptance of black holes for instance, or the “white canvass” of abstract expressionism.) And although there may be a sea of dissertations against the idea of art being a language, don’t be fooled, there is also a counter debate. I feel that we are in a time very much like Galileo’s, waiting for the “right” person to make the declaration. I always welcome debate, but I understand what Ray, Richard and Michael are saying (definitely not enough space! lol) so…I concede that some will agree and some will disagree as anything else that might raise controversy – like politics, religion and I guess, now art.
Mental note: I see that many here are strong minded individuals – this is a good thing (does it come from being a Game Master all the time?) We’re used to having our way! haha…
I will just have to agree to disagree. If art was so incapable of being defined, I would assume that museums, books (barges of them – and yes, art has a specific language) performance halls, entire colleges and universities, including literary art and many many more things would not exist. Just because we lack the means with which to define something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or has no definable boundaries (take the acceptance of black holes for instance, or the “white canvass” of abstract expressionism.) And although there may be a sea of dissertations against the idea of art being a language, don’t be fooled, there is also a counter debate. I feel that we are in a time very much like Galileo’s, waiting for the “right” person to make the declaration. I always welcome debate, but I understand what Ray, Richard and Michael are saying (definitely not enough space! lol) so…I concede that some will agree and some will disagree as anything else that might raise controversy – like politics, religion and I guess, now art.
Mental note: I see that many here are strong minded individuals – this is a good thing (does it come from being a Game Master all the time?) We’re used to having our way! haha…