Since when did graphics whoring become so widespread?

CCCToad on 7/10/2009 at 00:18

While Will Wright is discredited due to Spore, I think one of his quotes still explains what the real problem is in gaming.

The gaming industry has a case of "Movie Envy", and graphics whoring is but one symptom of that. Its also why cerebral, tactical gameplay has given way to high-adrenaline "choke point" based gameplay.

Chade on 7/10/2009 at 00:26

Quote Posted by CCCToad

While Will Wright is discredited due to Spore

If a guy with a history like Will Wright's can be discredited because of one game, then ... well, that's pretty stupid.

Papy on 7/10/2009 at 01:45

Quote Posted by Ostriig

Suspension of disbelief is greatly facilitated by fine graphics, even though they aren't enough to maintain it on their own past the initial contact.

I completely agree with you, but I'd just like to add a bit of personal experience. The first time I saw Ultima Underworld, I had this feeling of being there as never before. Suspension of disbelief was immediate. I replayed Underworld at about the same time as Oblivion and it took me several hours of playing before forgetting about the bad graphics and having this feeling of being there. Am I the only one?

Quote Posted by CCCToad

Its also why cerebral, tactical gameplay has given way to high-adrenaline "choke point" based gameplay.

Very few games were "cerebral and tactical", no matter the period. I still have some old video game magazines and most reviews are about dumb action games. Also I believe "Choke point" based gameplay is probably more the result of games having to be extremely long, as well as the result of the save feature.

Ostriig on 7/10/2009 at 02:13

Quote Posted by Papy

I confess that after having been spoiled by modern eyecandy the likes of STALKER Complete 2009, diving back into something like Deus Ex isn't as quick as it was. Back then in 2000, I was immediately plunged into it, though these days it takes a little while to settle in. But it's more like just a few minutes, nowhere in the scope of hours for me. However, I will say that the experience becomes a bit more brittle, and it's easier to be thrown out of it when I notice for the first time a detail like a blob shadow, now that I'm used to a higher standard. Obviously, this wasn't the case back when blob shadows were the pinnacle of real-time shadow technology and very much "dude, check it out, shadows".

Naturally, this doesn't make me love or respect the game any less, in any way. It's merely the effect of having grown used to putting in less and less (subconscious) effort into suspending disbelief with regards to the world painted in front of me. And, all in all, I think projects like HDTP for DX or SHTUP and Rebirth for SS2, or hell, Complete 2009 for STALKER, prove that we're not the only ones who feel that way, and that good games can benefit from spiffy visuals too.

scarykitties on 7/10/2009 at 03:27

Quote Posted by Ostriig

However, I will say that the experience becomes a bit more brittle, and it's easier to be thrown out of it when I notice for the first time a detail like a blob shadow, now that I'm used to a higher standard.

Or when Jock takes off, revealing that the entire world is composed of endless, black nothingness.

june gloom on 7/10/2009 at 03:37

well it's not like you couldn't figure that out from LOOKING UPWARDS

scarykitties on 7/10/2009 at 04:32

Now that we've reached our quip quotient, you're dismissed back to prickville.

I wonder how sales of games with stylized graphics, such as those from Psychonauts, compare with similar games with similar gameplay styles that shoot for a more realistic tone. Does the creative twist in the graphics, rather than the realistic approach, seem to assist or hurt sales?

june gloom on 7/10/2009 at 06:33

Quote Posted by scarykitties

Now that we've reached our quip quotient, you're dismissed back to prickville.

wah i wuz bullied wah

Briareos H on 7/10/2009 at 06:39

psychonauts sold piss-poorly compared to other platformers. I don't think its style did it a disservice, compare it as a stylized but average platformer gameplay-wise with the stylized but average FPS gameplay-wise Bioshock and you'll probably get the feeling that the hype machine or lack thereof can salvage or bury any game sales-wise. Brütal Legend is probably going to sell tons more than Psychonauts. Though they're still a bit lacking on the PR side if they want to catch up with the times. Not enough fake and unfunny youtube interviews w/ heads randomly exploding.

Thirith on 7/10/2009 at 06:40

Quote Posted by Eldron

good or bad graphics, if the game sucks it sucks.

Sure, but most games aren't either brilliant or sucktastic. They're somewhere in between. And I've enjoyed games with mediocre gameplay more because the graphics were evocative and atmospheric. I'm sure I'm not the only one.