Do Graphics Still Sell Video Games?

When Sony marketed the original PlayStation, they used a combination of live action skits and CG visuals to make their games look more cinematic and epic than they actually were. People have argued over the merits of doing something like showcasing Final Fantasy VII’s cutscenes and presenting them as the game’s visuals, but the tactic […]

[ULTp0ltergeist]

Well, going by the past few years and the recent release of X I would say yes. Otherwise, I doubt Microsoft would bother with the typ of power they released in the X.

[Godmars290]

Which, aside from ports, they're doing nothing with.

And we've had this argument with the 360, which lasted for as long until graphics on the PS3 were as good and better, then "Da Cloud" when the XB1 launched underpowered compared to the PS4.

[Brian7655492]

Most of Sony's first reveals are pushing graphics as well. Horizon for example is gorgeous. Many comment on the visuals for Death Standing and The Last Of Us 2.

Visuals sell and one of the reasons why graphics are often pushed instead of sixty frame per second games.

[Godmars290]

@Brian:
First showings of title with graphics that are too good to be true is a bad standard within the whole industry. Kill Zone 2 is still something Sony has to live down.

The thing is with MS and the XBX there's not likely to ever be an example of what the hardware can do aside ports and 3rd party. Whereas with PS system there have been example of titles like Uncharted and the Last of US that the Xbox has yet to equal in terms of story and gameplay much less graphics. while also having some PC fanboys demanding they be on their platform of preference.

[ABizzel1]

Graphics grad attention, when they're better than the majority of games on the market. However, I'd say their impact on sales have somewhat diminished this gen compared to last.

[bluefox755]

Sony makes great games that also happen to look better than anything else on consoles. You can't just have graphics without gameplay.

[SilverDemon]

then why is the switch(underpowered console that has the worst graphics of all the consoles) is selling so fast?

[shadowknight203]

Because there are is a divide - one cares more for gameplay and the other for graphics

[Ashlen]

@shadowknight203

I disagree.

The thing that matter is games, a variety of fun to play games is the most important thing. Having games that appeal to a broad international audience sells consoles.

[Godmars290]

@Ashlen:
Correction: having a varied games library, one that appeals to a broad audience, is the most important thing.

That's where I think MS has never comprehended and frankly Sony has been lucky with.

[SuperSonic91]

Is that a real question?

Do you need to have high end realistic graphics to sell Nintendo's kiddie games to kids and their moms or loyal Nintendo customers?

Why don't you tell Rockstar to sell GTA VI or Activision to sell COD with Super Mario Odyssey or Breath of the Wild graphics?

Use your common sense.

Graphics fidelity is dependent on the kind of game that needs it.

[Realms]

People keep forgetting the most obvious, yes the Switch is the most underpowered console of the three but it has something the others don't. Portability I wouldn't be surprised if the Switch ends up selling monster numbers it already is they have opted for a different strategy which isn't power and it seems to be working. Wether you already have a PS4, Xbox or PC the Switch still offers something different that is why even if you already game on a different console you can pick up a Switch and have a different experience. It also helps that Nintendo makes fun games they may no longer be my cup of tea but plenty of people seem to like them.

[drunkenspy007]

you say that like Microsoft has a clue to what they're doing. xb1x is a gimmick for fanboys, if graphics were really the ultimate goal for gamers, everyone would own a PC.

[strayanalog]

There has always been a niche for graphics hounds in gaming, but nowadays it's a smaller niche. I'd imagine gamers as a whole take graphics in as the norm, they're almost desensitized to it you could say.‎‎
These graphics hounds will be here a while longer, but their days are numbered.
Graphics are argued by eight year olds, gamers argue about whether that game is worth it. So, do graphics sell? If you want to win a niche, yes. Not an audience.‎

[TheCommentator]

To me, the most memorable games came out well before graphics even became good enough to be a strong selling point. PS1/N64 days were amazingly fresh and new, PS2/Xbox days were exploring open world and online, PS3/360 days were pretty versions of previous gen for the most part, and we've been playing the same basic formulas ever since.

Nowadays, we mainly get trashed and rehashed games with no real innovation. Honestly, when devs come out with innovative games like The Order, Ryse, and Quantum Break most people shun them and buy another Assassin's Creed, God of War or Halo instead. The exception is when a title like Horizon: Zero Dawn comes out but even it is just a recombination of elements from other open world games that has been put together well.

The industry is running out of ideas until HW allows for super advanced AI (Like Siri) and total manipulation of the environment. In this way, freedom to choose how to tackle objectives will make every game unique to the users and their play styles.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Yes, and sadly it's always one of the first things to be used as ammunition when discussing which console is "winning the console wars", by the less sophisticated members of the gaming community.

[Neonridr]

it's true, Nintendo games are always discounted by the Sony and MS fanboys because they aren't photo-realistic when it comes to graphics. Gameplay and fun factor are always the core reason behind a game being any good. Graphics definitely help sell the vision, but if the game sucks, then no amount of polys or 8K textures are going to save the game.

[JackBNimble]

It's resolution that people are claiming victory with. Graphics from 1080p VS 4k change very little.

[Moonman]

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img...

lol

[FreddyFazbear]

Well thats not always the case. Im a ps4 fan but i give credit to games with great gameplay regardless of its graphics and I agree with legend of zelda as GOTY last year. thing about the internet, people are so different and divided and there is this certain Kionicwarlord spouting things like MP only games are the bastion of gaming even forgetting that sony and nintendo were so successful releasing SP experiences and theres xbox fans that as long as its in 4k its a good game. Sometimes i cant help but reply to the comment due to how preposterous their Opinions are. Opinions are opinions but there are stupid opinions. Like sexist or racist in their opinion whites are the supreme race and women are second rate but they are hiding behind the "its my opinion" as shield just like how these graphics and MP only gamers

[Lennoxb63]

Graphics have always sold games. Other aspects of gaming people either don't know, or care about. Frame rate has never been a selling point because most people don't know what a frame or frame rate is. Gameplay has always sold games as well. It's why games like PUBG aren't looking too hot or running that well can still prevail.

[SuperSonic91]

This 👍
Graphics is the gamers first impression of any video game.
It is what attracts any gamer.
How can you sell a game without anyone seeing it?
Even game play is shown by using graphics.
Graphics and gameplay are both eaqually important to sell a video game.
Nintendo fans who say graphics don't matter out of brand loyalty are the most backward thinkers in gaming.

[Imalwaysright]

Graphics sell games but are far, really far, from being the main reason why most people buy consoles/games. PS4 was the 1st time I've seen the most powerful console outselling the competition and I've been gaming for more than 25 years. I say "was" because the X1X is now the most powerful console and still, gamers prefer the Switch and the PS4. Not only that but people buy more PS4 than PS4 pro consoles and more X1 than X1X consoles. On PC market most gamers have medium to low range PCs. Nintendo fans aren't any different than the vast majority gamers who don't have graphics as the priority but nice try though.

[Ashlen]

Then how do you explain the Switch or the success of indie games and games like Minecraft?

Perhaps Switch owners who prefer gameplay over graphics aren't the ones who are backwards and it's the people who value resolution that are backwards.

[SuperSonic91]

@Ashlen
We know Nintendo games do not need high end graphics to sell to you Nintendo fans, the parents and their kids they are aimed at.
But remember the SNES, N64, Gamecube where known for their graphics power as their selling point. Mario, Donkey Kong , Zelda, Starfox, etc all had cutting edge graphics as their selling point during those times.

[marloc_x]

..huge collections of pretty games that are never played.

[Lennoxb63]

@Imawaysright

"PS4 was the 1st time I've seen the most powerful console outselling the competition and I've been gaming for more than 25 years."

It doesn't matter whether PS is the weakest console or the strongest. It's going to outsell Xbox regardless. It's a more established brand. Even Nintendo couldn't beat PS and it had the power advantage over PS for a gen and a half (Gamecube, Wii U).

[SuperSonic91]

Correct!
Nintendo fans have selective amnesia lol!

[Imalwaysright]

SuperSonic91 aka edmix aka venonsomethingsomethingx

"selective amnesia" Facts are facts. Deal with them.

Lennoxb63

Nope. PS3 only started to get on track and closing the gap with the 360 when the PS3 slim was released accompanied by a price cut. PS brand is more powerful than the Xbox brand but that doesn't mean that consumers will choose it by default.

" Even Nintendo couldn't beat PS and it had the power advantage over PS for a gen and a half (Gamecube, Wii U)."

Yeah, it took a weaker nintendo console to outsell a Sony console: Wii which just proves what I said in my comment above. For most gamers there are more important things than graphics/power.

[Lsker101]

Well most Sony games sell off of the premise of graphics, I mean Uncharted has some of the most uninspired and generic gameplay but it's graphics are steller, same with Spiderman and God of War, it's always about graphics.

[Rude-ro]

😂😂😂
oh wait... you are being serious... 😂😂😂

[Lsker101]

Truth sucks, I know. I can't remember the last time a Sony game, not a 3rd party game or a Sony owned IP made by an external studio like Bloodborne or Ratchet, was praised for having good gameplay mechanics.

[Rude-ro]

You preach the “truth” Lsker101! with your brand new account with nothing but Sony attacking comments. We will all believe you. 😂😂😂

Too funny.

Your taste in games must be very lacking if it is new game mechanics that you are looking for.
Care to list some examples?

[Aenea]

Wow, a recent account and already trolling hard I see!

[G20WLY]

Wonderful isn't it? New account, less than an hour old and already 20 comments, all trolling Sony 😂

I wonder which of the regulars this account belongs too.. 🤔?

[Obscure_Observer]

@Aenea

"Wow, a recent account and already trolling hard I see!'

This seems to be a common practice nowdays on N4G. Just report the trolls over their comment history and the mods will do the rest.

[OffRoadKing]

When did you play Spider-Man?

[B1uBurneR]

I mean, whats the purpose of upgrading consoles if the graphic don't draw you in?

[_LarZen_]

If not then no one would buy new consoles or build gaming PC’s...

[akbennyewu]

Queue the obligatory "Uh oh, Xbox does this better now, so let's try and justify why it doesn't matter" article.

[Lennoxb63]

And yet you're the first one to bring it up. Their talking graphics in general. Not just who has the power advantage. smh

[Copat]

Good graphics are always nice to have, but if the game is not fun to play then it's all for nothing!

[Godmars290]

Not excessively "sharp" or realistic graphics.

[Tankbusta40]

Yes they do.

[Aenea]

Ask Nintendo....

Seriously, yes, I love good graphics, but as someone who started gaming on an Atari 2600 it's not as important as some people believe...

[ocelot07]

To a small extent I believe so. But I think it more down to the games IP, type of games ect that help sell games.

[PlayableGamez-]

Yes. I think games with flashy and breath taking graphics captures the consumers attention before any other element of a game.
Example: When Ubisoft exaggerate the graphics of their games, it results in a high day one sell count. Later to find out the graphics weren't that good and may result in the market to sell back their game.

[PygmelionHunter]

Thankfully not anywhere near as much as they did during the 7th gen, when any crappy game that looked moderately good received superb critical reception and sales.

A couple of examples could be Battlefront 2 and The Order 1886. Mediocre yet gorgeous games that couldn’t escape from mass media disapproval.

[Lennoxb63]

Nothings wrong with Battlefront 2. The game at its core is solid. The complaints are about the MTs.

[Tobse]

Their are always people that want the best looking games. Good graphics alone can sell a game. In this day and age we see more and more AAA games that are lacking more important things, gameplay but are looking good and will sell for that.

[coolastheycome]

I will allways chose a fun game over a game that has great graphics.

[Profchaos]

Yeah nah nah yeah yeah but they can't have any other overshadowing issues.

For example I played battlefront 2 on EA access no way I was going to buy that pos and found that the campaign was beautiful but the ai was dumb and lifeless everyone you mowed down was almost faceless they had no facial expressions just blank stares with badly canned animations as they got shot. Basically it turned back graphically amazing game into crap. That and the micro transactions

[Eulderink]

they never did tbh, games sold systems. Graphics just made it sweeter.

[ILostMyMind]

At the beginning of every generation, yes. After each platform has consolidated its games, graphics is no longer a deciding factor.

[Tankbusta40]

Not true... Uncharted 4 was released a year and half after the ps4 launched and people still marveled at its graphics and set pieces. Another example just last year people were marveling over Horizon Zero Dawn's lush and beautiful world.

Graphics always matter to an extent... Nobody wants the industry to reverse it's course and everyone expects AAA titles to have the latest and best graphics.

It might not be the deciding factor for everyone when purchasing video games but look at how the gaming community admonished PUBG on the Xbox one for having last gen visuals. It might not be the number 1 factor but if the graphics aren't up to par there will sure be plenty of Internet backlash.

[tmisellati]

yes , graphics will sell and will always do but it will do so only under one condition. the console must owns the games to fulfill its promised graphical power.

[thesoftware730]

Imo, only to a minority of gamers and Its really nice for T.V commercials lol.

Look at the PS2, 3DS and now the Switch. Graphics will always be a quick eye catcher but fun games always wins out.

PS2=Best because of fun games(weakest specs)
3DS= Best Handheld because of the games(Vita was way stronger specs)
Xbox360=Made a huge impact, could be considered the gen leader during their prime(weaker than PS3)
Switch=record breaking sales in less that 1 year(weakest home console system out right now, and yes it IS a console)

Good fun games always win in the end.

[namEuser]

Yes and No...I'm a gamer that's happy as long as the games presentation keeps evolving while keeping a solid framrate...who wants to play a game that has any type of slowdown regardless imo

[SCW1982]

Nope games, but graphics are nice for stoking fanboy flames.

[Mungamingzone]

Well somewhere in the middle ! making a timeless game where where it can maintain its charm over time ! For example : the legend of zelda windwaker , silent hill 2 , super mario galaxy , Final fantasy 3 , chrono trigger , twisted metal black , ...etc .

[Tross]

Yes and no. They can be a selling factor, but they're only part of the overall experience. Ideally a game can look and play great, and have a great story to boot if that's relevant to the experience. But, I'd rather play a game that is subpar visually but is enjoyable to play than one that looks great but otherwise blows monkey chunks.

Moreover, if a system is capable of better graphics but can't play nearly as many games, it's kind of a moot point because the games it can't play always look best on the system that can actually play them. I could post a screenshot of Horizon next to an image that says image unavailable representing the XB1 version that doesn't exist, but I think I've made my point. If you want better looking multiplats and a very small selection of actual exclusives or console exclusives that benefit from better tech and don't mind the price of admission, then the XB1 is for you. If not then the PS4 offers way more games and costs less.

[Cobra951]

Diminishing returns are now an issue. Graphics are already so good that generational improvements don't look as dramatic as they once did. So other factors become more important by comparison--not that gameplay wasn't always at the top.

[AAACE5]

History shows that the weakest console usually wins. Wii won. Ps2 won.etc. with only a few exceptions like wii u and dreamcast.

[badz149]

PS4 wins with power though. the X is too late to the party to even count. and Wii U was not really a competitor for anything. too late for the PS3 and 360 and too early for the PS4 and Xbone. even the Switch is super weak against the PS4 and Xbone still while being released just recently. let's us all just admit that Nintendo is not really playing the gen gap like everybody else anymore. we can't just simply admit that the Switch is 9th Gen now, can we? that would be absurd

[Belinker300]

They released the Xbox one X in retaliation to the PS4,which had more compelling games and better resolution in comparison.They forgot about the most important factor with this system...the exclusive games

[3-4-5]

Yes..kind of. They help, but graphics only matter if the game has content and the content is fun to play and well made.

If the game is a mess, I don't care how good it looks.

[Knightofelemia]

The game must look good yes but also still have a solid story and great characters and solid music also that what sells a game no just graphics alone.

[SixFragz]

ask m$...they think the xbone x will redeem them

[Belinker300]

No great games and portability take precedence

[bumbleforce]

a few years ago when ps4 and x1 came out people kept talking about the rez and performance being better. Now the table has turned and ps4 fanboys are saying graphics dont matter anymore. Despite what people think gaphics matter most of all

[OffRoadKing]

Graphics are great and theres nothing quite like a God of War, or Uncharted, or Horizon to really show off those amazing graphics but Nintendo has proven lately its not all that matters and its not required to sell games or consoles.

[bluefox755]

Apparently not.

[PowerOfTheCloud]

Maybe a bit but i think the most succesful games these days don't have phenomal graphics.

Call of duty ww2
Overwatch
Rocket league
Minecraft

are examples.
I think most people care way more about what the game is about and on which platform it is on. Otherwise x1x sales would destroy ps4's which in no way is the case and never will be.

[DarXyde]

For some, sure.

Some graphically-intensive games are in my top 5, but not top 3 this generation. I'm more into art style, but substance matters most to me.

[Last_Boss]

Graphics only measure on whatever certain types of products, everything else is a must.

[DivineAssault]

I dont think so.. Consoles are powerful enough to make open worlds in HD with a decent frame rate.. Textures and all that stuff is a plus but having the very best picture by small margins isnt too important imo.. I played the hell out of the switch last year and loved it.. I have yet to play a PS4 game and wish it looked better. The only way it would matter to me is if microsoft continuously released 3rd party titles the PS4 simply couldnt run.. However since the xb1x cant run games too taxing for the base xb1, that wont happen.. Timed exclusive dlc wont sell games either..

[AuraAbjure]

In a HUGE way yes. It sucks because developers make games now that look great in magazines and internet screenshots. Then you "play" the game and it crashes and glitches out harder than a dail- up modem trying to play battlefield 4 because the game was designed to look pretty and not run right. It's a VIDEO game people not a PICTURE game.

[MrVux000]

Graphics alone don't sell games, but they are one of the main elements that do.