"Despite all the pessimism surrounding this year’s E3, there is one good thing to be gleaned from it. Top development companies have shifted from an emphasis on high-end graphics to a high-end engine—the difference is small, but impacts games in huge ways and says a lot about how the next generation consoles are likely to deal with improving the performance of games when graphics are already performing high across consoles (…excluding the Wii)."
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But times are different and the way a game looks right now is able to make it or break it at times ..
So the new engines are welcome cus they make it easy to work with and well. One of us can say they look bad
So if next gen starts with these engines and they do pay attention to gameplay il be on a mix of the two is the best
not to say graphics aren't important and there is games that are both beautiful and have solid gameplay.
how many times you said to yourself "this game looks good" compared to "wow the controls are so satisfying"?
If I say a game 'looks good', I'm talking the total package, which includes whatever gameplay can be made out from whatever teaser or trailer I've seen.
I've never bought a game solely on graphics.
If I say something 'looks like crap', unless I specifically mention the graphics, again, I'm talking about the total package and the gameplay looks crappy, feels behind the times compared to other games available, or is just something I'm not interested in.
On the other hand, there are things like Disgaea which doesn't have the best graphics, but always sells a decent amount because people enjoy it's gameplay. Of course, if it had the same gameplay, and better graphics, perhaps it would sell even more.
Good graphics alone aren't enough, but most games with good graphics are not just pretty to look at. They usually have decent stories and gameplay too.
An example of not seeing the forest because of the trees.
Minecraft.
/checkmate.
We need new consoles next year, although there are still stunning looking games on current gen consoles like Halo 4, the last of us and beyond I think we are getting to the point where current gen consoles are getting to far behind PC's.
Some people here suffer the delusion that its impossible to have a great game with great graphics. Because to them, the developers concentrate all their resources into pushing visuals and then they forget about developing the gameplay.
Many developers have proven this theory to be a load of bunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...
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http://www.youtube.com/watc...
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Gameplay>Graphics
But
Great gameplay and graphics> Great gameplay and terrible graphics.
/end rant
I've always said AI is the biggest area for improvement.
Thats why I'm so excited about Last of Us. The graphics have raised the bar yet again, but its the AI looks like a step up from this gen, which has barely progressed this gen at all.
I cracked-up when the crowd cheered during that moment in the Last of Us where the hero was rescued by his sidekick.
I know that cheer was born out of years of frustrating AI in computer controlled sidekicks.
I agree physics and AI are the most under-utilized aspect of every Generation. It seems to be changing (EA's Madden Infinity Engine, Last of Us...)
Gameplay gameplay gameplay. Look at games like Just Cause 2 - absolute average graphics but oh my god that game is so fun gameplay wise.
Do graphics enhance the gameplay? Not anymore. The graphics on todays consoles are good enough to the point where a enhanced graphical version of the game wouldn't make any difference.
Take The Witcher 2 for example. Having got the PC version and the 360 version - The PC version looks better (obviously), but I didn't enjoy it more then the 360 version. It was the same level of enjoyment. In fact I started enjoying it on 360 more, but that was mostly because I got further into the game and was getting really interesting.
So to answer the question, no good graphics is not enough, need great gameplay. A game with amazing graphics but boring gameplay will make me switch it off.
And graphics have come to a point where enhancing the graphics for the same game would have hardly any impact on the enjoyment of the game.
I've been saying this for awhile. We've reached a "good enough" point with graphics and other areas need to be improved now. My current example of this is Rage. I picked it up for $20, and I'm blown away by how average and boring it is. I didn't expect that from id, but I find myself turning on the game every other day or so, playing a mission or two, and turning it off out of boredom. It's a nice looking game but just so... damn... boring. The AI is terrible too. I'm on my third playthrough of Dragon's Dogma and still want to play it more than Rage. I'd much rather see improvement in AI next gen than graphics.
Would rather step outside.
The shift towards better games not necessarily better looking games has begun....don't take my word for it though.
Gameplay needs help in this gen though, I am about sick of cut and paste shooters.
I wouldn't mind waiting another couple of years for the next consoles. I'd rather wait a bit and get the most powerful device possible. Currently, I play everything (PC, PS3, 360, & Wii) through my home theater, so optimal settings for me would be 1080p and 7.1 LPCM at the top end. However, when higher definition TVs are released, I'll want gaming platforms that take advantage of the upgrade in technology. We still have a bit of a wait on that I think, so they can take their time on the next consoles as far as I'm concerned. I don't want them to rush anything to market, and a brand new gaming machine is useless unless it has some decent games to play on it.
But even though I think graphics are good enough, I would like better performance with regard to framerate, screen tearing, draw distance, texture pop-in, ect.
I like the game for the gameplay, but I know today, there are alot of graphics whores out there.