American author Tom Bissell, who is well-known for his perceptive criticism of both literature and video games, once commented on the artwork in video games. Thomas Kinkade, a painter known for his sweet and frequently overly sentimental landscapes, was compared by him to a lot of the artistic talent found in many games.

Bissell suggests in this analogy that some game art may be shallow or unoriginal, veering more toward what might be called cliched beauty. But he also recognizes that there is interesting and captivating art in video games that transcends these restrictions.

Picture a garden full of flowers, most of which are lovely but generic, like daisies strewn all over the place. However, among these common flowers, you may come across rare and captivating species, like an intricate lily or a rare orchid. In a similar vein, some game art may seem shallow at first, but others are notable for their originality and nuance.

This quotation highlights the wide variety of artistic expression that video games can provide and reflects Bissell's nuanced perspective on them as more than just entertainment. It promotes an approach to comprehending the intricate web of visual storytelling in video games that is both critical and appreciative.