Jimquisition: Photorealistic Sociopathy

"Are photorealistic graphics the key to advancement?

Do we need believable visuals in order to convey believable emotions? Is a console generation over as soon as you've pushed the systems to their technical limits, or is there yet more work to be done?

More the point -- if you're relying solely on appearances to generate an emotional link with your audience, are you not just crafting the videogame equivalent of a sociopath?"

[Abriael]

too bad that photorealistic graphics and great writing aren't at all incompatible and both add to the ability to convey feelings, so arguing between the two is silly and meaningless.

Another strawman argument by Jim Sterling.

[mcbrid55]

I don't think he argued that photo realistic graphics means that there can't be good writing. He is arguing against the statements made from 2k Games and Crytec. He is saying that emotions can be portrayed in multiple ways and graphics are not, and should not, be the number 1 concern of a developer. They should be more concerned with the overall game, story and mechanics than just putting out a game that looks amazing.

[Abriael]

If you check the whole video he argued quite clearly that photorealistic graphics have a *detrimental* effect on story and emotional delivery. hence the strawman argument.

[coolbeans]

You're skewing his statements
He wasn't stating that photorealistic graphics inherently means the game will have a bad story. It's the DRIVE by so many AAA publishers/developers to initially pursue new 'realistic' graphics technology above emotion, writing, or gameplay that's having the detrimental effect.