[sueders100]

"the consumer pays money with the expectation that their purchase will be fulfilled."

That's a very broad statement that disqualifies nearly all paid performances as a form of art. Video games are art, or much or what is commonly considered art isn't. Gesamtkunstwerk is a word/concept that describes a whole artwork made up of other pieces of art. It isn't a new concept. It's been around for nearly two centuries. Take a look at theater for instance. No one doubts that it's art, but it is made up of costume design, acting, the score, etc. This whole debate like everything else will finally end when all the older people who don't believe video games are art grow old and die.

[tumult]

I don't consider most theater to be art in that sense. Art in the sense of craft or technique, certainly. But not a kind of derivative of fine art.