“The Aesthetics of Play: Creativity and Art in Videogame Performance”, MA Thesis

By William Robinson. http://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/974881/5/Robinson_MA_F2012.pdf

Abstract: Although game players produce works of aesthetic appreciation, much like musicians or actors, the product of their play is not considered to be art. By approaching this inconsistency from an analytic aesthetic position, while paying close attention to sports philosophy and videogame studies, this work demonstrates why we should consider gameplay as potentially artistic. Not only would this give us a more consistent understanding of our intrinsically valued activities, but perhaps bring about a new appreciation for the creative labour that videogame players produce on a daily basis.