NPR has a new gaming podcast, Press Start. It is produced bi-weekly and judging from the first episode, it seeks to elevate video game dialogue. However, the first show doesn't quite deliver. The three hosts take on the perennial question, "Are video games art?" Of course from a visual, sound, design, and story telling stand point, video games are art. The hosts then attempt to figure out if "art" needs to carry a social message and how that translates to video games.

For example, in Beyond Good and Evil, you play as a journalist attempting to overthrow a totalitarian regime. The hosts give weight to these types of games, saying that they are more likely to be considered art than a 'Madden' game.

I disagree. I think video games are art, no strings attached. Art is subjective. In the painting world, I enjoy surrealists much more than I do cubists. For others, it's the other way around. Same goes with video games. While I think that games like Deus Ex or Star Wars: KOTOR are definitely art, more so from a story telling aspect than from a visual aspect. Others may think that 'Dead or Alive 3' or 'Super Smash Bros.' is art. That's the point of art, isn't it? Different reactions and experiences from the same work?

The hosts of the show are sure to get better, but at this stage (and on this topic) they fail to deliver anything new or interesting. Still, it's better than most of the drivel that's out there.

And, if you're wondering, we do have plans to restart our podcast, we just don't know when. We'll be sure to let you know when that happens!