Graphics are NOT everything

Non Specific Action look at why 'photo-realistic' graphics will not improve games or their emotive connection with gamers.

[Gorbenshore]

good graphics + good gameplay > bad graphics + good gameplay

there doesn't have to be compromises

speaking in the same context, except in cinema, take, for example, `The Dark Knight`. Remember Harvey two-face? Graphics/CGI did wonders that face paint couldn't do so graphics do matter.

[BiggCMan]

Exactly, there can be both if developers give it their best. Of course, in games that aren't supposed to look like real life, like most JRPG's, it's more about the art style and drawings. But in games that are trying to look like real life, Uncharted, GTA etc.. It doesn't hurt to get the best looking visuals as possible does it? Would Uncharted get the recognition it has gotten, if it looked like Tomb Raider from PS1?

I would also like to say that I play Skyrim on my computer, and the game has taken my breath away with the graphical mods. It HAS made the game better, because the immersiveness of all the mods makes me feel like i'm inside the game. When I go in the dungeon and see these amazing textures, or hear the added sounds from my mods, trying to sneak up on an enemy, it's incredible, and the graphics really do add to my experience. It's the same with GTA 4 iCEnhancer and Crysis mods as well.

[pandehz]

Um lmao someone gave you a disagree.

[turgore]

someone gave you five lol

[Irishguy95]

Great gameplay >> great graphics + good gameplay

Although I agree...is it too much to ask for both?

[PoSTedUP]

this whole topic is too broad imo. but if i had to choose:

great story + character charisma/likability but with poor graphics and simply gameplay

are better than

great graphics and great gameplay but with poor story and douche bag characters.

[Getowned]

"great graphics and great gameplay but with poor story and douche bag characters."

XD like God of War, Kratos is a D-bag character, but he's a bad ass D-bag.

*saves old mans life*
Old man-"Oh thank you!!! I thought I was a goner for sure!!"
*takes the key to the door off the old man*
Kratos-"You are"
Old man-"wait what?!?!"
*throws old man off a clif*
Old man-"Douchhh BAGGGgggg!!"
Kratos-"HAH! he died,"
Zuse-"That wasn't vary paragon"
Kratos-"Renagade For Life!!!!"

true story^ ... more or less lmao

[Summons75]

You know why Pac-Man, Mario, Donkey Kong, Astroids, Centipede, all those classic games that without we wouldn't even have a gaming industry are still played today? Because the gameplay was great and timeless NOT because the graphics were Photorealistic. You know why they will still be played in another 50 years while a lot of today's games that try and push graphical boundaries will be forgotten? Because the gameplay was great. You don't need amazing graphics to have an amazing game that falls upon Gameplay then story.

Sure great graphics can really add to the game especially if the art team behind the game is great but it definitely isn't needed. People don't replay Final Fantasy 7 because of it's amazing graphics, they play because the gameplay is fun (story was terrible but gameplay was great). FF7 looks like crap but it's still a lot of people's favorite game.

[NYC_Gamer]

Those games are fun but i wouldn't pay 40-60 bucks in this and age to play something that looks like classic Pacman...There's enough technology available for studios to offer graphics and gameplay...

[matgrowcott]

Pac-Man, Mario, Donkey Kong, Asteroids and Centipede were all classics long before the graphics in them were dated. They're still played because they've always been played, let's not pretend that it has anything to do with the visual style.

Wave a magic wand, change the industry entirely so that those games were coming out as they were but now and nobody would touch them. Not because they were bad games or even because people expect a higher level of graphics today, but because Donkey Kong et al wouldn't have 30 years as some of the best known titles in the history of gaming.

[Chrono]

bad graphics + good gameplay > good graphics + bad gameplay

[Seventh_Blood_Reborn]

That' s for sure, at least, for real fond Gamers.

[NYC_Gamer]

There is no reason why studios shouldn't be able to produce nice graphics with solid gameplay

[Godmars290]

The case in point, that FF13 took away basics like towns and had one of the most shallowest of stories, says otherwise.

[NYC_Gamer]

That's SE fault but in no case does that prove studios can't offer nice graphics/story/gameplay/music all in one package......

[TheOneWhoIsTornApart]

I agree. I t feels like lazyness. its nice to know that amazing graphics will be a guarantee for next gen games so there can be a bigger focus on story, gameplay,characters and everything else.

[Axonometri]

"Video" "Game"
Two equal parts with a third sometimes forgotten but just as important "Audio." which is the same unfair treatment "Audio" received when "Tele" "Vision" reached a mainstream audience.

Poor "Audio" does so much work and never gets any attention.

[Summons75]

While I love a lot of video game music and I do agree with you, games don't need music to be good. You can mute your TV and the game will still play great even without the audio.

Though soundtracks can be beautiful made and I give a lot of respect to the composers for doing such a good job

[Axonometri]

I was not implying "Music" nor just "Soundtrack" I was speaking in "Audio" general. All of the sound work that goes into a video game is crucial in many aspects. Not just the music or just the effects. In fact, without sound, we miss an entire stage of cues and immersion that, in my honest opinion, would make a lot of games too dull.

I think Audio in general is taken for granted.

[Seventh_Blood_Reborn]

I totally agree, but as always happens just the fond people find out how sound is important.

In this industry -for the Gamers- the problem is always the same: tastes imposed on the masses by the "culture" and the power of advertising, the casual gaming and the fear to try something new = superficiality.

[akiraburn]

Hey man, I know exactly how it is. I'm a sound designer/audio engineer and not only is it too frequently overlooked, but it is often also one of the last priorities during production, with sometimes even things like catering getting a higher budget.

In film, there aren't enough directors who realize the importance of the audio and just have minimal training with it. They might be able to direct a great scene, and even sit there with the editing crew explaining each cut, but then the audio becomes a "Ah I know you can handle it. Just make things sound crisp. Lots of sheen!"

In game studios, its a similar situation. Most small and many mid-sized studios expect a team of one to (at most) three people to be able to handle any and all work needed to be performed on the audio. This means coding the engine for the game, as well as all the music creation and composition, sound effects creation, and in most cases recording all the voice actors' work. In my situation, I really tried breaking into the gaming industry, but game audio is honestly one of the most cut-throat fields I've ever seen.

[Axonometri]

I concur. And, Thank you. Backed my point.

[MasterCornholio]

Only idiots and people defending the weak hardware of their consoles/handhelds/PCs claim that's impossible to have great visuals with great gameplay.

Uncharted 2 was a fantastic game with great visuals and gameplay.

XperiaRay

[Irishguy95]

Yeah but what about when you want a non linear game that lasts longer than 10 hours? Something has to give.

Heh, look at FFXIII. Graphics yum. Gameplay - shi*

[awi5951]

skryim has a huge world and great graphics if your on pc with mods lol. My skyrim has like 30 mods running on it lol.

[matgrowcott]

I get your point but you picked some terrible examples. Final Fantasy VII, X, Kingdom Hearts, Shadow of the Colossus and Bioshock all had fantastic graphics for the time they were released and all, for the most part, still stand up graphically on many levels today.

More than that though, the Square Enix titles probably sold to a certain demographic because they looked so good (I know for a fact both VII and X were perfect examples for graphics whores at a point). That demographic may have grown to love the characters and the story, but originally they were in it because the developers had managed to do new and exciting things with the visuals.

So, yeah, I agree with everybody above.

[sandman224]

I'm sorry but your an idiot. Graphics are just as important as gameplay. That way you get the best experiance. No gamer in there right mind will take one over the other. It must be both. And for you out there that disagree with me, go jerk your wii mote.

[stecarter91]

Let it be known that I stand corrected, sir.

[sandman224]

No I apologize, your not an idiot. I am for saying that. I just think we should have both I love a polished game, but it has to have great controls, great framerate and no screen tear. I know it's asking a lot but I think that's what is as gamers deserve.

[Masta Kaos]

Graphics are everything....I'll buy a Blu-Ray Movie over the one recorded in a Theater with a camcoder.

[crowsticky1234]

Great story, great gameplay, characters we can relate to, alot of replay value, great graphics > Great story, great gameplay , characters we can relate to, alot of replay value, sub-par graphics > Great story, great gameplay, characters we can relate to, little replay value, great graphics > Great story, great gameplay, characters we can relate to, little replay value, sub-par graphics > Great story, great gameplay, characters we can't relate to, little replay value, sub-par graphics > Bad story, great gameplay, characters we can't relate to, little replay value, great graphics > Bad story, great gameplay, characters we can't relate to, little replay value, sub-par graphics > Bad story, bad gameplay, characters we can't relate to, little replay value, sub-par graphics.

[KimoNoir]

lol then what the hells the point of buying new playstations and xboxs. for the awesome freaking graphics!

[DivineAssault]

Graphics arent everything but they are very important too.. Its like ppl saying "beauty is on the inside" when u wouldnt initially date a person if the physical attraction didnt take place.. Good graphics, good story, good gameplay, & good sound = Great game... Take away from any of those & the game goes from Great to Good.. Take away 2 & it goes from Good to So-So

[hennessey86]

To have both good graphics and gameplay......................

[omarzy]

I miss last gen when we did not have these arguments. We actually had graphics and gameplay. I always prefer gameplay though. Its one of the reasons my SNES games on virtual console get played more than my ps3 games.

[Tetsujin]

I miss the generation where fun came first, graphics was second.

[Hicken]

I'll take both, but if I can only have good/great in one of the categories, I'd rather it be gameplay.

[A LIVING LEGEND]

Both are within reason and present in a select few titles,the will or resources to do so are often lacking it would seem.
We have become used to mediocrity,largely,and often find excuses to justify the inability to properly express our discontent or complacency.ie; good graphics are good enough,can't have both,maybe next gen,etc.etc.