I decided not to read all the comments, so forgive me if I am a broken record machine.
Video games are art, I am sure everyone of our generation can agree. (that phrase right there is key and I will return to that)
Graphics dont mean anything. PIcasso gave no care to what looked good. Neither do people of the abstract art realm.
Graphics dont mean anything in video games being art.
Story means more. Books can be art. Newest and most prime example of a video game story being art, well actually two, Bioshock: Infinite and Skyrim.
"But Gale, I understand Infinite, but why Skyrim?"
Well, what makes art... well... art? I the simplelist terms I describe art, a medium in which creates deep thoughts and emotions through depection of said piece.
Bioshock forces you to looks at the broad picture. What are we? Some cog in a giant clockwork scheme or can we actually make a change? It is a linear story that allows you too have meaningful discussions on our reality. Blah blah philosophy and what not.
Skyrim allows you to choose. Your decisions are meaningful and will have consequences. From who will rule this land to having someone call the Dark Brotherhood to kill for stealing a tomatoe. Do you want to help the Alik'r woman escape this squad of people killing her, or turn her into the aristrocrats to have her put to trial.
Everything you do sets gears in motion. You get to choose the meaning of your game. Just like one chooses the meaning of art. Think of Bioshock as a this shining example of a warrior. This sculpture is perfect. What does it mean? Is it the true emboidement of perfection or the shameful display of mans obssesiveness to perfection. You decide the meaning.
Skyrim is this crazy paint splattered canvas. I don't know what it means. But it means something different to everyone. There is no right or wrong way to depict it.
Finally, the comment I make before. The current dominating generations are the ones to decide what is art. If out crazy art was introduced back in the renaissance, they would be stoned. We know that video games are art. It is only a matter of time until the agree generation fades in to make the official dicision.