Next Generation Consoles Will Be Indistinguishable From Reality

Square Enix’s worldwide technology director Julien Mercerson sees the next generation consoles more believable character in games and more responsive AI’s. Tim Sweeney from epic games responded recently by saying that in about a decade we should be seeing video game graphics that are “indistinguishable from reality.” Julien Mercerson went on to talk about the next generation consoles such as the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and other future consoles.

[Homegamer]

Well I agree with better AI because most games they're dumb as bricks, but I think another that really needs to be improved is gameplay in general because nothing has changed, what I'd like to see is if you're running at full speed you have the chance to slip or slide because you are on a wet surface. Also see how what you do in the game can effect the world around you, kill someone, it's on the news and within a week there's a new grave spot dug out for him. Just real subtle things can make next gen can make games that much more immersive.

[PSN_ZeroOnyx]

GTA would end up with a graveyard bigger than the city itself lol.

[starfox79]

WiiU Zelda tech demo is the only example of nextgen gameplay and camera work in game....

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Amazing edge of ur seat gameplay...

[Homegamer]

That's a tech demo not gameplay, a camera like that would never work in actual gameplay, I really don't see how this would work unless this was all QuickTime events, and QuickTime events aren't next gen

[Thomper]

I got as far as the bold print before I called.... b..s..

Wtf wants reality.. I get that every miserable day!!

I want fire-balls, stupid power slides and mushrooms that can talk..

Reality is overrated....

As soon as videogames have to "tell a story" and have to be "photorealistic" - I'm out!

[Fireseed]

Yeah I'll be out too

[dcj0524]

But what about a reality where you CAN shoot fireballs and and shoot testicals? I'd love a photo-realstic GTA X.

[kirbyu]

Yeah, what dcj0524 said. Imagine a photorealistic Mario or Mega Man game.

[PrimeGrime]

Seems you have it really twisted. Just because something is "Indistinguishable From Reality" does not mean you can't still do just about everything you listed off in these games still. Shooting fire balls, having super powers, talking plants. That can all still exist and still be photo realistic.

That is the difference between a game and actual reality. We have laws and many physical restrictions in "real" reality. In a game even if it is completely realistic you still have that same imaginative freedom from before, no boundaries or self realizations to tie you down from simply doing something you could never have thought of doing in actual life.

Seems like a really close minded way of looking at it the way you are.

I welcome photo realism in games. Simply because of what exactly you did say, actual life does truly suck. To be able to experience another world in a game with true realism would be a fresh breath of air because no one is going to make games that represent the boring mundane ignorance of real life.

They never have before so I don't get why just because what we see visually is drastically improving would change any of that.

Games will still be just as creative.

[MizTv]

Would I like to see it? Yes
Do I think I will see it? No

[MysticStrummer]

Oh ok by next generation he must mean after the PS4/One generation, because he says it will happen in about a decade.

I was gonna call BS on the title, but maybe PS5 and (whatever confusing name MS comes up with for One's successor) will have true photorealism.

[BuffMordecai]

I don't think so Tim.

[MizTv]

MORE POWER!!!!!

[SgtClutch117]

I as a gamer understand that this generation of games are trying more than they have before to make games truly immersive as possible, and I love games that take it to the next level of entertainment. And there's one little thing in this post that is going to be held against us soon enough involving crimes that are 'inspired' by games. All in all I'm trying to say i love immersive games and a little thing that no one really is obligated to reply to.

[TwilightSparkle]

I totally agree if they go any further than this more people will lose concept of whats fact or fiction, most crimes happens cause of a persons ip bringing exposed to violence from realistic video games I hope yhis dosent come to this.

[MadMen]

Maybe in year 5, but I said during the PS3 early days,

PS4 will be the transition system that borders on reality and PS5 will actually push it over the top

We are about 10 yrs off from full reality games.

Holograms are next

[JohnCartenper]

Not a chance.

[mydyingparadiselost]

Movies with gameplay. fuuuuuuuun

[PSN-JeRzYzFyNeSt]

i cant wait for this holiday...

[DaGR8JIBRALTAR]

we're gonna see it this generation...probably in 2-3 yrs.

[SegaGamer]

I don't want my games to be more realistic, graphics do not matter to me, and they shouldn't to any fan of gaming. Gameplay before graphics any day.

[RFornillos4]

if you want realistic, there's one that has been available for a very long time; you don't have to look far, and in fact it's the most realistic representation of an MMO. it's called life... if you want realistic, go outside.

but seriously, it'd be nice and all, and i myself will appreciate it, but it's still decades away. right now, what devs are doing are photorealistic game with mediocre gameplay and/or AI, or the opposite (good gameplay/ai but not too photorealistic).

[deafdani]

Indistinguishable from reality?

Nope, Tim, go home, you're drunk. We may get to that point someday, but not in ten years. We have a LONG way to go before getting close to that.

[TronEOL]

I'm glad they're focusing on animation and AI this time around. Since there is next to no way to come anywhere near movie-quality CG on this generation of consoles.

Highest end PCs can't even do that, and they probably wont for at least another 5-10 years depending on if we get a massive jump for whatever reason (better coolant/cooling, stronger materials, whatever it may be).

But at least they aren't focusing purely on graphics with the PS4 (and most likely XboxOne). Gaming animation has peaked only with games from Naughty Dog or Insomniac (sometimes Ninja Theory, Bungie and 343). We need every game ever to have in-game motion subtleties you see in games like Last of Us, Tomb Raider (remake) or Uncharted 3.

Or those little fun face movements, or quality expression seen in games like Ratchet and Clank, LoU, Uncharted 3 & Halo 4. Tiny things like this help make a game feel alive.

Developers need to start making their characters feel like they're actually a part of the world besides just existing in it. How Nathan Drake, Joel or Lara Croft react to the environment around them are fantastic examples. And Joel (and Ellie, or Tess, or any tag-along NPC) is the best example of this so far.

I said it before and I'll say it again. The main focus of this generation SHOULD be perfecting animation, emotion and reaction. Once this is done, the next generation should be rolling around with some impressive hardware to support prettier games. But what's a pretty game with a bunch of stiff, shell characters? It's a nice coat of paint on a PS2 game, that's what.

[Coach_McGuirk]

what a stupid headline