I was looking through Henry Jenkins blog when I noticed an article called " Are games art? Wii, I mean Oui!" As a Wii owner, I of course had to click the link. There are two basic assumptions that need to be discussed to answer the original question. The first is someting we discussed in our first class--the question of whether palying video games (or any media besides reading basically) enhances life. Most people would say no. It is generally considered better for a child to be reading books than to be watching TV or playing on the computer.

The second assumption is that anything in which the audience can participate must be less beautiful and less sophisticated than something non-interactive. The problem with this assumption, in my opinion, is that it implies that paintings, drawings, and films are not interactive. When you see a film or read a book or go to an art show you are experiencing these mediums through your own lens. Although you cannot actually change the content, how you percieve the content does change. If during a film a character outs his/herself as gay, someone who is homophobic will see this character differently for the rest of the film, while someone who is gay may see it as an inspiring moment and in scenes with many characters may focus on this character alone. Everyone interacts with the books they read, the films they see, the art they see by bringing their own experience to the viewing. In addition, seeing a movie is never just about the film. It's who you went to the movie with. Maybe you're on a date with someone new, or out with an old friend. The movie itself could be great, but the experience could be ruined by that guy in the front row who keeps yelling at the screen. Seeing a movie or reading a bok are never the same twice because there are plenty of other factors besides the actual content of the medium.

When I play Mariokart on my N64 or Sonic on my Sega Genesis (my console turned 15 years old this year) it is extremely more interactive than watching a movie because during a movie I have to shut up as opposed to playing video games where screaming and maybe even kicking, are encouraged.

Also, as a Wii owner, I would like to say that playing Wii boxing is a very intense workout.