15 Graphics Techniques that are Revolutionising Gameplay

From Gameplayer...

"The X360 and PS3 have the most advanced and sophisticated graphics of any games consoles ever released, and by a long way, too. Bump mapping, bloom, motion blur – you name it, these machines can do it. But what does all that hi-tech graphics jargon mean and what impact does it have on real-world gameplay? In this comprehensive guide to next-gen graphics, we uncover the key technologies and visual effects, and investigate how they are transforming the way we play games."

[krackchap]

no deferred rendering?
no ray tracing??

[Ludwig]

Those are just new ways to do the SAME thing, not new.

[WafflesID]

Ray tracing is no where NEAR the "Same thing" as what current GPUs do. Not even close.

The methods used in current games are a cheap "hack" compared to what ray tracing allows.

And what do you mean "those are just NEW ways to do the SAME thing, not NEW." So which is it, new ways or not new? You said both in the same sentence :) heh

[Tone]

... is not new, it goes as far back as the Commodore Amiga days, which it was actually pretty good at doing.

And the Amiga was used to do all the rendering etc on Babylon 5, so ray tracing isnt exactly new.

[synce]

People who concern themselves with this graphical BS really don't know what makes games special. I pity them.

[Genki]

On second thought, no...I don't, they're not even worth that. If you think graphics mean nothing, then that's essentially a slap in the face to all of the artists and engineers who work hard to achieve these breakthroughs and innovative techniques. I don't think anyone will argue that it's ultimately gameplay that matters MOST, but graphics matter in the whole scope of things.

[WafflesID]

Uhm, OP was right. How many games have you seen with excellent graphics and still not even worth a rental?

Doesn't matter how good the graphics are if the gameplay sucks, but you CAN have a real good game that has bad graphics and special effects.

Graphics are a small part of what makes a game special. And he never said anything about the graphics not mattering at all. The point that he was making is that some people focus entirely too much on all the technical aspects of graphics (like this report) and think that the more FX you cram in a game the better it is, when that is just not true.

So basically chill out, as you are both saying essentially the same thing.

[jaja1434]

While The Darkness was a meh game overall, I did love the fact that you could watch cartoons on the TV.

[WafflesID]

huh, and yet Duke Nukem 3D had working security cameras all the way back in 1996.

[tab553]

the author of this post is of below average intelligence and is responsible for producing the most simplistic, obvious waste of time article I have read. Please don't bother.

[jaja1434]

And yet you did, and then commented on it?

Anyways, why exactly is he "below average"? Everything he said does indeed increase the realism of game play, though the skid marks one is kind of a stretch, but that was meant to emphasize the consoles evolution of available memory more than anything else.

So why the hate?

[SlappingOysters]

Your inability to argue why you belive this suggests that your are the person of below average intelligence.

Although i guess to someone of your mental handicap, having an opinion that differs from your own is automatically a sign of low intelligence.

[367 To Your Ass]

GOW uses it.....special pixel shader bump mapping.

[InMyOpinion]

And they should have mentioned Halo 3 under HDR. Say what you will about textures etc, but it has some mean lighting effects.

[Wii60_FTW]

lmao. this article is a complete joke. normal mapping is the #1 "next-gen" technique and they don't even cover it. it adds so much to realism in gameplay and immersion. pretty much every game uses it, too...

and then there is virtual displacement mapping, or PARALLAX mapping, or the more advanced "relief mapping". this article blowz!

and yeah. the best HDR lighting ive ever seen in any game is in Halo 3 (which explains why it runs at a laughable 640p. the HDR is too good I guess...)

[AIZEN SOZUKE]

"sophisticated graphics of any games consoles ever released"

they mean platform, cause ps3 aint no console, and is runnin the graphics game

[zonetrooper5]

The PS3 is a console so stop trolling please.

[WafflesID]

TROLLING?! HERE?! ON N4G?!! Contact the mods before we get overrun by them!

...oh...nevermind, too late.

[DJ]

This author obviously isn't well-versed with graphics technology, especially if they include "Skid Marks" and "Oil Textures" but ignore "Deferred Rendering" and "Sub-surface Scattering".

[zonetrooper5]

I understand the state of the website right now but that should all change soon enough, I have seen some of the new features and stuff for N4G, I'm not allowed to tell you what they are but they are pretty cool and will make the site even better.

[WafflesID]

Many months ago they mentioned publicly some ideas about a group like feature. Like if you are into the 360 you join the 360 group and only see their comments or something like that. Or the PS3 group or a PSwii60 group :)

I've been praying for that feature ever since they mentioned it.

*Edit*
To below:

AMEN! I absolutely can't stress this enough. some way to keep the PS3 fanboys out of the 360 news comments, and the xbots out of the ps3 news comments.

[BLACKJACK VII]

YES PLEASE. If I didn't have to read all the FANGIRL TROLLING comments on 360 articles & reviews, it would END all this pointless bickering. And I am sure I am not alone. I dont care what console you own, you should stay off "the other" console's articles & keep your trap shut if you don't have anything nice to say. Every negative comment I have ever posted has been in response to a TROLLING comment left on a 360 article by an a$$hole.

The ONLY reason I still use N4G is if you SIFT out all the FUD, it is still a fairly quick way to find some gaming news. However, all the HATE absolutely ruins this site. Bubbles 4U zonetrooper5, here's to hoping we can clean up this mess.

[mountaindewtab]

The trolling definitely needs to stop. I use the news on this site to help me decide which console to buy. Typically I make the mistake of reading the comments only to be assualted by fanboys of both sides. I just want the facts!

[zonetrooper5]

Well I've seen 2 of the features that they have shown to the moderators. I really can't tell you what these features will be but they are very cool.

[DG]

I need to stop reading comments I dont know what all the bickering is about.

[Wii60_FTW]

As a 3D artist, I can't help but laugh at this article (which doesn't even come close to covering the latest techniques) and most of the responses to it. Funny stuff!

[DJ]

I'm a Lightwave user. What do you use?

[AIZEN SOZUKE]

aww, little idiots really believe ps3 is a console, they fail badly