Gamers Need To Stop Expecting Graphical Leaps For Next-Gen Consoles

"While the pursuit of technical perfection is admirable, critics and gamers alike should not confuse graphical stagnation with console stagnation. To weather this turn of the tide from graphical improvements to feature upgrades, fuller console experiences, and games that must innovate beyond eye candy, we must change our perceptions of what makes "the next generation" worthy of the name."

~ Nick Tan, Game Revolution

[knifefight]

It's true. After a while, you logically get into diminishing returns, where a small step up takes a lot of work and expense. I'll be keeping my expectations realistic.

[classic200]

killzone shadow fall is descent jump for a launch title which means better is going to come graphically, but deep down is a DEEP jump and that would be more than enough for me next gen until PS5.

[Wenis]

I really dont care about graphics, because at this point they really are 'good enough'. Obviously better graphics would be welcomed, but i'd rather the industry focus on better things... like for instance, allowing more players online on consoles. When BF4 comes out on PS4, I would be 10x more hyped to learn that it will allow 64 or 128 players online than to see pretty lighting or better textures.

[DeanSanchez]

If you watched the Deep Down trailer, you can tell in some scenes that it's rendered in real time. You can see some pixel flickering between the character model and the environment etc. These "imperfections" are not present in CGI.

But yes, im looking forward to killzone, and what this next generation has to offer. Its too early to judge based on beta gameplay, but im excited.

[BattleAxe]

If there were no graphical leaps, then there wouldn't be any point to buying a new console. We could just keep our PS3s, and Sony could just keep releasing new peripherals to change the gameplay experience.

[knowyourstuff]

I'd say Killzone and every other launch title will be vastly overshadowed by games coming down the pipeline in years 2 and 3. Why? Because every dev thus far has been programming assuming they'll only have 2-4 GB of GDDR5 RAM, when in reality they'll be able to squeeze out 8. The dev kits aren't as powerful as the final build, and the final specs haven't even been finalized what with an even more powerful CPU being rumoured.

What we'll see more next generation is not so much a giant leap in first year games, but rather a giant leap from first year to 2nd, 3rd and so on, games will just take a bigger leap year after year than they did with current or previous generations.

[Revolver_X_]

@Battleaxe

The fact is graphical leaps will get smaller and smaller as limits are approached. We already see PC slowing down in graphics these past two years. Sony and M$ will have to innovate in other areas, hence PS4's social connectivity and M$' Kinect focus. Look at the Wii's success. Graphics really only matter to the superficial. I want my games to look great, but idc if its not on PC's ultra settings level. PS4 with Gaikai and the social stuff sounds great. Its enough to warrant moving to next gen.

[banditscout]

This is true. That said, if you look at PC games based on the current gen, they still look considerably better than their console counterparts. Additionally, running at 60 fps, at a true 1080p does make a pretty significant difference. I think most gamers will be completely pleased with the jump into the next gen!

[perfectCarbonara]

If they can nail Deep Down quality as a standard for PS4 games I'll never ask for another upgrade again (lol)

[joab777]

Seriously, the real question is why the hell everyone is so hung up on the graphical leap. Look at the last of us on ps3. Eventually ps4 games will be breathtaking. Anyway, i love sonys committment to games. Thats what it is all about anyway.

I had so much fun this gen that it doesnt even matter how huge the leap is. If its an extension of this gen with tech that allows developers to stretch their legs both graphically and gameplay wise, ill be ecstatic.

[andibandit]

Last of Us looks good, but i want something that looks better and not at the cost of open world/draw distance/AI/enemies on screen, etc etc.

[joab777]

I also believe that if the economy was booming and Microsoft and Sony were doing very well and everyone had great jobs, the evolution would have occurred differently. We would be paying $8-1000 for an insane console and $80 a game. There would be plenty of money for mobile and console and development etc. This is not the case, but under the circumstances, I think Sony has given it their best shot. I for one will support them because they are gonna need. It may not seem so because we are so used to console generations, but this is a risk for them because of their financials and the changing gaming industry.

[EbeneezerGoode]

If anyone thinks graphics are now 'good enough' they lack imagination, sorry.

Also if the world out your window looks like a cartoon then yes, current graphics are probably 'good enough'

what a load of short sighted stick in the muds!

Graphics will NEVER be good enough until they are indistinguishable from reality!! can you NOT imagine how amazing games would feel if your brain truly believed you were 'there' and not controlling some cartoon replica?

I love games as they are, I started with the Atari VCS and had many happy hours with it as a young kid and I've been there through every generation of graphical enhancement and it absolutely IS required or games will stagnate - rinse repeat without any higher level of immersion or believability.

Perhaps if you only started gaming with the Wii then graphics are now 'good enough' cos your minds can't imagine how it COULD be.

Let me tell you, ever since video games started it has ALWAYS been the evolution and yearning for better tech, more memory, better graphics that has driven the industry. It would never be where it is today if in 1990 every said the Amiga and SNES were 'good enough' (even though at the time plenty DID think that).

Stop telling me what is good enough when clearly there is a massive disparity between the worlds on my screen and the world around me.

Once graphics get truly 'good enough' (as in properly realistic or the ability to create totally unrealistic imaginative crazy worlds but with real lighting and resolution) THEN will be the time they will have no excuses to churn out the same cookie cutter games. I'd rather we get to those graphics asap so we can then focus on the experience.

In the meantime there is NOTHING stopping developers crafting good games with weight and playability.

[fatstarr]

No, there is always always always a graphical leap
more power means more ability to do something that one could never do. if a lazy ass dev would take advantage of that you would see a graphical leap every 5 years.

"Everything Changes But Nothing Changes", sit down and think about it

look at a price of a 256mb usb drive in 1999 and look at the price of a 1tb SSD drive in 2012. "Everything Changes But Nothing Changes",

[ftwrthtx]

The jump from PS2 to PS3 in graphics was HUGE. Can't expect that jump with every new gen though.

[Qrphe]

We've already seen the leap however. So unless they downgrade the specs of what they've been using there is nothing to be disappointed about.

http://imageshack.us/a/img8...

The last one is a launch game btw so PS4.

[Relientk77]

That last pic is beautiful

[ILive]

I definitely saw a jump from those pics. There are some fantastic looking games on consoles, dont get me wrong. But when you look at the best that pc's got, there is certainly room for growth in the graphics department for consoles. I see a significant jump and I am happy because of the possiblities of things to come.

[Qrphe]

Consoles have always been behind PC on specs even on release.

http://imageshack.us/a/img7...

Overtime consoles are able to pull off incredible graphics for their specs however.

[GribbleGrunger]

Sorry but this is getting a little tired now. I don't 'expect' a graphical leap, I see quite clearly there has been a graphical leap. If your eyes can't see it then there's something seriously wrong. Just want to catch you before you completely lose your mind and interpret this as a fanboy comment: I think we'll see the same for the 720 too (OK?)

[xPhearR3dx]

Until I see someone actually playing the game in real time, I don't believe half those trailers. Killzone was the only game we've seen someone actually play. And while it looks great, it's not much of a graphical leap. It's more a change of color pallet and much better lighting.

MS & Sony always have BS trailers before their consoles launch to build hype. It's nothing new. Killzone Shadow Falls graphics are definitely an improvement, but certainly not a leap. You'll see the "leap" once Uncharted 4 or another Killzone releases, but not a launch.

[Qrphe]

It'll be like 2005/2006 all over again. Many will compare games like Perfect Dark Zero to games like CoR or Half-Life on Xbox or Resistance to Killzone on PS2 and say graphics didn't improve significantly and that Sony was lying with specs and that it's already dated compared to PC and so on.
The cycle repeats and will repeat again.

[dbjj12088]

I don't really care about graphics at this point. If I did I wouldn't play games on handhelds, iphones, the WIi U, any of the old consoles at this point. I play games for games.

[alexcosborn]

True dat!

[xPhearR3dx]

That's not necessarily true. I care about graphics quite a bit since I switched over to PC gaming. Especially games that support mods. But, I also play moblie/tablet games every day on the way to work. I do play games just for the sake of playing because I love them, but when it's game time on PC I want to see some pretty visuals lol

[NastyLeftHook0]

dude, we should wait for next gen for another 5 years. look at it this way, we barely got out of sdtv times. people are buying thing rickie folk buy and miiyunairs like 1080p. stay older please. wait for gramps!

[kratos17]

Contrary to what some people may believe, graphics are only part of what makes a game truly great. Any gamer (fanboy or not) can figure out what that is.

[ninjahunter]

Ile give it 3 hops out of 10. XD

[MadMax]

Of course we are going to expect a big jump in graphics! Why would we want to shell out the cash for a whole new console if there was not much difference? I rather wait another 3 or so years for a new console anyways, I think they are rushing out the new consoles to soon. Wait a few more years, that way we will actually see a great improvement and it will actually be worth our money.

Seems like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo cant wait to keep pushing new hardware. Moving too dang fast, same with phones and everything else. As soon as you start enjoying it, they sweep out the rug from underneath you.

You can get the same games for the PS3 and 360 that will look the same if not even better on the older 2 consoles! I love you Nintendo, but i comon it seems like that system was a rushed cash in. The Wii hasnt even been out for that long!

[Genuine-User]

I don't think there's anything wrong with hoping for a graphical leap. We buy new devices to enhance our experience.
Killzone Shadow Fall looks outstanding, probably the closest thing to Crysis 3 on the highest setting. Just imagine what games will achieve in another 2-4 years.

[MattS]

I couldn't agree more with this. It's time that we started focusing more on features and what a console can do than the graphics it can produce.

The PS4 and Nextbox are both going to be massive leaps forward. Just not in terms of graphics.

[EbeneezerGoode]

That is exactly what this generation did!!! iPhone? Handhelds? LONGEST CONSOLE GEN EVER?

Quit with the 'great graphics are evil' stuff please!

People will find their OWN way for immersion/fun - MORE is never a bad thing.

If you are happy with iPad graphics then good for you, millions are, I'm not. I can play games like that for 10 minutes then it reminds me of games I played 30 years ago on an amiga...

if anything holding back tech only limits games

TECH in every area needs to improve, graphics, sound, interaction, interface, physics, so that there truly ARE NO limits for a developer to then focus purely on gameplay.

We all want good gameplay, I miss good gameplay but it has nothing to do with the emphasis on 'great graphics' (some of the best looking titles this gen - uncharted 2 for example had great graphics AND addictive gameplay) it's because the industry is so big there is so much crap out there vying for your cash and attention!

And there is JUST as much crap on limited graphics systems like the iPhone as there is on the most powerful consoles/pcs (more in fact!) so that theory falls flat.

When we have reached the apex in each tech category, including the ability for realistic - as in the world around you - graphics instead of CARTOON worlds as we currently have (And we do, sadly - look at any face of any character in the best looking game today - it is STILL cartoon like in resolution, lighting, colour why would you want us to stick there instead of progressing?)

Should be all have stuck with 16 bit SNES/MEGADRIVE??? no!

When PS1 came along people thought it was 'good enough' and the future - it wasn't it looks like shit all these years later and 15 years from now you'll look back at these so called 'good enough graphics' and realise just how limited and childish they actually are, and that is partly why the games industry has always had problems being taken seriously by non gamers.

Let technology run it's course without debating it, or sticking up your "gameplay over graphics" flags like it somehow makes you the only ones that care about gameplay.

I care about gameplay AND graphics and there is nothing wrong in wanting them both to be the best they can be given improvements in tech.

When graphics are truly good enough, and a non issue, you'll know cos you'll never notice rubbish like tearing , aliasing, low frame rates, low res textures, poor lighting, stiff animation, immersion breaking worlds... I haven't seen ANY game yet that fully convinces me it's not just a game - how is that good enough?

It's not like gameplay is good enough yet either? same old same old rinse and repeat. Holding back tech/graphics is not suddenly going to allow devs to think outside the box and create something that is incapable of existing!

[EbeneezerGoode]

We need improvements ongoing to evolve.. it's a good thing. It's great we have Oculus rift incoming - the interface is vital to immersion! Next we need FASTER BETTER graphics to make BELIEVABLE worlds that actually feel like your actions matter in, like life, and that can still be fun - doesn't mean boring serious stuff but dream like stuff where owning an in game ferrari actually feels like it.. you can not feel that way with current tech unless you are 9!!

As a gamer in my late 30s who has been through every console since the Atari VCS I know how each generations improvement in tech has brought more rewarding experiences, I'm not a kid on an Atari anymore convincing myself all that black space is a world (in my head), we grow up and so must tech to match our reality.

I feel sad for anyone who thinks "enough" is already here when we've only really just begun.

Get back to me in 100 years and tell me if you'd rather swap the latest system for a PS3/360!! :P

[Holeran]

Every generation I expect an advance for my dollars, whether it be frame rate, higher definition, better AA, lesser screen tearing, or the great leap that we have already seen in terms of draw distance, (any PS3 game to compared to Killzone Shadow Fall). If i'm going to keep paying a premium for new consoles I expect better visuals period. The storys are only limited to the minds of the writers, not hardware, and with the tremendous writing we've already seen there is only eye candy to make up for the new money spent.

[DaThreats]

It will, wait till like 5-6 years of the PS4 lifestyle and you will see a big jump.
@below
You be surprised..

[Dragos75]

I doubt it. The jump isn't gonna be that big.

[Dark5tar1]

There won't be a big jump, games are already reaching hyperrealism and the graphical improvements this gen will just be subtle.

[worldwidegaming]

It will. Its like turning on your console and havinga friend saying,
"Hey, your $2000 rig looks good."
No,man thats my PS4.

[Adolph Fitler]

No, we should expect to pay maximum dollars for a console that plays games that look like Jet Moto on PS1.
Why the hell would we want our games to look better.

I mean, it's only the 1st logical step in gaming evolution, & to be frankly honest, it is the one part of a new game, that should instantly be far better.

[RoseSapphire]

Why shouldn't gamers expect a graphical leap? What is a new console generation if not a more powerful game? We have the ability to create larger and more dynamic worlds now with installations, DLC, and additional discs. It's with new technology that we can expand into better graphics.

It is silly to expect diminishing returns. Technology doesn't work that way.

[Insane087]

go and have a look at gta and skrim mods on pc now that the consoles are a bit more beastly maybe were eventually get games looking like that ill be happy with a solid framerate tbh

[worldwidegaming]

Dedicated console owners want their new toy to be more powerful than the PC. Its never going to happen,ever!
Because Games are first created on PC! yep, you need a PC/Mac to do these things. Dev kits still have the same PC parts to input stuff! made from PC parts.
But, this is a good thing! you can optimize (this is the console word we all love!) the game to run as good or even better than most gaming PCs (Unless you have a lot of cash to burn!)
graphics are finally going to be PC-like! Console players will no longer be envious of PC players when they say
AH-HA! I can play at 200FPS but you can only play at 60FPS!
"well PC player, I dont care because it stays at 60FPS the entire time while your PC game frame rate drops!"
Console owners will now be able to argue and make clear sense!

[worldwidegaming]

As for graphics the only company who can say graphics are not everything is Nintendo! lord just look at them over the years!

[BitbyDeath]

Not sure what gamerevolution is smokin, it is huge. What we've already seen is only the beginning and rumour has it Killzone was only using 1/4 of the PS4's overall power.

[DaGR8JIBRALTAR]

Excuse my french...but fuck all that "don't expect a large graphical jump" talk.It's been nearly ten years since we've had a new console release.I mean...look at what the 360 and PS3 is capable of putting out.We should ALL expect a massive leap in graphics.We shell out big money for these new systems,games etc every time they release.Nobody likes to be lied to(I'm lookin at you Gearbox!)Don't show us demos like "Deep Down" if the console can't produce.

[Kratos_1986]

but it is a Graphical Leap if killzone wich is a launch title looks amazingly like that i cant even imagine how would UNCHATRED 4 look like on ps4

[ded1020]

WTF ever PS9 was REAL and ITS HAPPENING!! 2053 WATCH OUT!!

[Wotbot]

I do expect a Graphical Leap, otherwise what were all those PS4 Tech demo's for, if not to show the Graphical Leap on next gen.

[ThyMagicSword]

Just put the right bait on the fish pole and swooop, you have a lot of fish!

[honkayjeezus]

It won't be like jumping to HD, but there is going to be a giant leap in CPU and GPU power. Not to mention a beefy RAM.

Developers will make use of that, and then some. Within a few years you will see stuff you didn't think was possible.

What are you going to spend your money on otherwise, map packs and faulty controllers and Gold subs and these franchise games that never change?

[Menchi]

Umm... Do they? Considering we're gaming on hardware from almost 8 years ago, for consoles at least, why on earth shouldn't we expect a graphical leap?

Yes, there won't be a massive, drastic leap, but looking at what -can- be achieved, such as something along the lines of Deepdown, but in a open, wide area, with more than a few targets? Yes, why shouldn't we hope for something akin to that? Not on next gen consoles, but perhaps PC, or the gen after.

We are still 10 to 15 years away from the point of no real, discernable improvement in IQ, I'd reckon, so yes, we should still look for a jump, not massive, but a decent one.

[CaptainYesterday]

I really try to not to focus on graphics if the game is enjoyable than that's all I really care about it :)

[cedaridge]

Sorry I want a side order of Graphics with my gameplay. lol

[Nafon]

All i want is real 1080p and a little AA...

[ThatsGaming]

Graphical leaps will no longer come from resolutions, textures, and number of colors...

Graphical leaps will come from detailed environments that have many more objects within them.

[Adolph Fitler]

If we didn't expect graphical improvements, we would all still own a NES for a sidescrolling 2D games, & a PS1 for our 3D games.

We upgrade consoles for the main reason of visual fidelity...... yes, some may harp on about AI, physics & what not......but fact is, the 1st thing ANY & EVERYONE takes notice of is the visuals, graphics, smoothness & artstyle of the games.

I mean, the reason everyone was so impressed with Gears Of War, was the visuals were so awesome... I mean, the game truly was nothing new, as it was almost a carbon copy of Killswitch....but because it looked so awesome graphically, & had the, then unique but now overused grey & brown palette artstyle, it was praised to no end.

Then came Unchartered, which was also praised for how unbelievably pretty it looks, but really was a gameplay blend of Tomb Raider, Prince Of Persia & Killswitch, only with "to die for" setpieces, so the actual game also was nothing new or revolutionary, it was he graphics that blew all away.

And Crytec's games are always looked at & judged on there visual merit.
Also, Unreal Engines are always visual splendors & pretty much that is the only thing a Unreal Engine has going for it, when it is 1st shown, & the only things really shown running on it are visual showcase tech demos.

If we didn't expect graphical leaps, then why expect any other breakthroughs in tech....It's like saying we should just be happy to get whatever we get & not expect improvement from future tech.

Very stupid topic this one, & obviously the story is written by a Nintendo fan, as there last 2 home consoles have been terribly outdated, & pieces of crap when it comes to tech, compared with there competition.

I mean, Wii-U owners may think there clever now, but THE VERY DAY PS4 releases, they will be crying in shame at there terribly outdated Wii-U's.