My gf thinks videogames cannot be art. What to show her?

Baldur's Gate 3 or Cyberpunk 2077

tiny glade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzNNoo0Zpns

I think you should start off with something stereotypical and crass like Grand Theft Auto to set her expectations very low, and then introduce her to Breath of the Wild.

The door. Show her the door.

Great choice if the individual values creative expression

Depends on what she thinks IS art. Are movies art to her? Something cinematic might be good if so.

Otherwise, show her Mario Paint and MAKE some art :)

Disco Elysium.

A dictionary.

From Miriam-Webster: "Art, meaning n.4: the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects". https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art

Aesthetics: a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty.

So as long as anyone finds beauty in it, and it's consciously made with skills and creative imagination, it's art.

There's No Time to Explain!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/368730/No_Time_To_Explain...

Inscryption is a legitimate work of art. Literally worthy of being studied. (and also one of the most fun single player computer games I’ve ever played).

If she has little experience with video games, Journey and Gris might be good candidates.

For a more "technical" argument how gameplay mechanics can be a unique way to deliver an emotion to the player (arguably a major part in the role of art): Brothers: A Tale of two Sons. You'd have to make sure that she finishes it, though (estimate: ~3h).

Two trippy games that defy categorization (but won't be good examples for someone not willing to learn mechanics/logic in depth): Thumper and Cocoon.

Presumably she is young enough to have completely missed out on Myst, which will be very dated now but was groundbreaking at the time and is most definitely a work of art.

These puzzle games are all very distinctive and beautiful in my opinion:

- Limbo - Manifold Garden - Monument Valley

I think on its face the question “can video games be art?” Is both absurd and obviously answered. The question are their games your partner will enjoy playing and want to spend time on is obviously totally different.

>detective/case solving TV, fantasy

Elder Scrolls (Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim) and Soulsborne (Demons Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring) games both have lots of mysterious lore and fantasy elements. Maybe the lore videos would help her appreciate the art? Lore videos could also pique her interest in a video game without her actually having to play it, which could be a gateway to eventually getting a contoller into her hands.

> literature, ... poetry

Charred Thermos put together a well-researched theory explaining the lore of Bloodborne is based on history, poetry, and literature from Victorian-era Edinburgh in Scotland. Bloodborne has feminine (child birth, menstration). I'd caution against it if she's squeamish because it is a bloody (good) game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkNVKkYpgVU&list=PLon6Mvsc0M...

Elden Ring in particular has tons of lore and this is partly due to George R. R. Matin, author of Game of Thrones, working with Fromsoftware to develop the lore foundations of the game. To get an idea of this, here's VattyVidya 13 hour playlist of quality lore videos on Elden Ring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYDs_Inzkz4&list=PLWLedd0Zw3...

Additionally, I can recommend what is possibly the most in-depth lore/mystery videos about Elden Ring, by Tarnished Archaeologist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrxAMoEujZss9Vez20A3b...

Elder Scrolls games, particularly Skyrim, also have significant lore and mysteries she may enjoy. It's much easier to digest than Soulsborne lore. See these examples by EpicNate315:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibf642CCf20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KzooXHOyRg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baQfeYJJkWY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gya8eIorwN8

If she's very new to games and wants something aesthetically pleasing, then the best experience might be exploring the wilderness of Skyrim while following interesting quests. Oblivion is an older game that also does this well on a smaller scale. Morrowind feels quite old and may not be her cup of tea, but some players like that the exploration is much more self-directed.

The Soulsborne games are all relatively hard but rewarding in their own way. For anyone who likes mysteries, they'll appreciate that all Soulsborne games do not directly explain the lore very much, and it's up to the player to figure things out. Demons Souls and Dark Souls are great, but lore-wise, Elden Ring and Bloodborne are the best. Bloodborne is shorter and self-contained, while Elden Ring has many questlines that a player can choose to follow. Following the questlines of NPCs is a rewarding experience.

Personally I wish I could convince my fiancee to play some video games because I imagine it would be valuable to share the same meaningful experiences that come with great moments in games. Her reasons aren't that the games lack artistry, but the games themselves are too scary for her. I just have to accept she has different tasts and hope maybe one day a non-scary / violent video game will be interesting to us both.

Outer Wilds

Exactly my response. I've never played anything like it.

"Myst" is exactly what came to my mind; it's almost more art than it is game.

Portal

Kentucky Route Zero [0], which managed to not just be beautiful in its own right, but so perfectly captures the visual language it's aiming for that you'll just lose yourself in moments of experience.

Also, Pathologic 2 [1] (probably, if you have more fortitude than me, maybe the original or HD remaster are of value [2]).

All the best,

-HG

[0] https://www.gog.com/en/game/kentucky_route_zero

[1] https://www.gog.com/en/game/pathologic_2

[2] https://youtu.be/JsNm2YLrk30