Gameplay as a Reflection of Theme

Video games are becoming an art form; however if art is greater than the sum of its parts, why is gameplay ignored in these arguments? Defenses for video games as art comment on sound, graphics and story. They seldom mention game play, the one thing that distinguishes games from all other media. Instead of using gameplay to just experience other artistic aspects of the game, gameplay should comment on the themes of the game. This is not restricted to player actions but also the level design and mechanics used to sculpt the players learning experience