The following is part of a question/answer session with Chris Melissinos, curator of The Art of Video Games at the Smithsonian...

Q: What do you think video games as an artistic medium uniquely have to offer?
Submitted by Chris McClintock

Chris: All video games include classic components of art-striking visuals, a powerful narrative, a strong point of view. What's new is the role of the player. Video games are a unique form of artistic expression through, what I call, the "three voices": the voice of the designer or artist, the voice of the game and its mechanics, and the voice of the player. A designer can craft an experience that follows a pre-determined arc to a set conclusion, while allowing the player the ability to laterally move and experience the game world. This retains the authoritative voice of the creator, yet allows each player to have a unique experience. There is no other form of media that allows for these three distinct voices to combine and present themselves as the output of expression. It's fantastic that the Smithsonian American Art Museum wants to celebrate the designers and developers who create these worlds that captivate players, much like a great novel or film can wholly engross you in its created world.

There's no link to a published version of this interview, but we'll be sure to update this post when one comes in. Thanks to Radical Defect for the heads up!