As one of those “games as art” people I think you’ve kinda misunderstood the stance - narrative and gameplay are very much part of the art we’re talking about. Films as art is well established but aesthetics alone don’t make a film great - see the (blue skinned aliens) Avatar films, they look fantastic but everything else is meh. Most of us aren’t really interested in the Thomas Kinkade of video games, lol.
As one of those “games as art” people I think you’ve kinda misunderstood the stance - narrative and gameplay are very much part of the art we’re talking about. Films as art is well established but aesthetics alone don’t make a film great - see the (blue skinned aliens) Avatar films, they look fantastic but everything else is meh. Most of us aren’t really interested in the Thomas Kinkade of video games, lol.