LucasArts' Chris Williams has declared that next-gen gaming is about more than "pretty graphics" - conceding that games have yet to reach the level of movies when it comes to visuals.
Williams, who is project lead on LucasArts' new Indiana Jones game, made his comments in a speech at GDC London this morning. He talked extensively about the studio's relationships with sister company Industrial Light & Magic, observing, "Film and game technology really compliment each other."
However, he went on, game developers still have "a lot to learn from film". As an example, he cited the CGI character Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean 2. According to Williams, it's highly unlikely that such a high level of character detail could be recreated in a game "for next-gen, or even the generation after that".
For LucasArts, he continued, "Next-gen is not just about pretty graphics, and we're okay with that." Instead, the studio is looking for ways to change the gameplay experience - for example, by simulating instead of scripting characters.
K-Pop Academy is an upcoming pop star management simulator from the game studio that brought you Tsuki’s Odyssey and Campfire Cat Café.
Salman from Tech4Gamers writes "Mortal Kombat 9 revived the series from a low point after bringing it back to 2D combat. It marked a new high-point for the franchise due to its incredible roster, exciting cinematic story mode, and high-octane combat."
Shaolin Monks is a forgotten gem. I would love to see a new one, or a remake of the old.
That game was actually goated. It was the first time ever that I actually tried to get good at a fighting game. Unfortunately the online connection was so dogshit it made it hard to enjoy and eventually I gave up. Haven't really played much fighting games since.
Microsoft has slashed the prices of games across the Xbox 360 store in preparation for its July 29th closure.
The Dishwasher
Vigilante 8
Two non-BC and no-PC-version Arcade titles I downloaded recently. Dishwasher's sequel is on Steam at least.
I've also downloaded Ninety-Nine Nights II (shame the first wasn't available). I still want to download Burnout 3: Takedown before the weekend's up, though that is still the full $9.99 non-discounted price
Burnout 3 not available in modern times is a crime to humanity.
I know it’s probably due to the music licensing-though they can simply add other music as Burnout 3’s biggest flaw to me personally-is the music!!!
THANK YOU! Good article and a great way to look at gaming, thank god. This is what next gen is about
Someone is making a good point about "next-gen" Gaming. We all know fanboys like to think what makes a game next-gen is its graphics.(just ask a sonyfanboy). Matter of fact, alot of gamers are not sure what makes a game "next-gen". I've ask countless times on here, while everybody seems to throw the "next-gen" word around like have a clue, or atleast a decent opinion.
These days all developers have to do to woooo gamers is give you lots of Eye-candy screenshots and CGI(just as sony), and fanboys are all over it, when they haven't even played the game. So what about gameplay does that matter anymore? Gamers have becomes spoiled little brats if they think a game doesn't look super. I understand a good looking game deserves credit when credit is due, but some games that are not eye-candy, can sometimes present stong gameplay and other next-gen features.
By the first screenshots of a game, we critizize it for not looking sharp or just not up to par with some other game in comparison. Since we cannot hype ourselves up then we think the game sucks or it just won't merit a purchase.
Next-gen games should be based on how high does it raise the bar compared to the last game edition or to an before-generation console.(if that makes sense). While the visuals will always get better with new hardware, it still doesn't merit a "next-gen" tag next to the game.
It's like saying Everytime a new "PC GRAPHICS CARD" comes out and we purchase it, then all the sudden the same game we have been playing with a Lower GFX card becomes "next-gen." Ofcourse visually the game will look much better.
The way I see it, I don't even think the PS3 and X360 are next-gen consoles. You can put it which ever way you want but the Wii is more "next-gen" console because it totally changes the way you play a video game. We have been playing videogames the way we do on the X360 and soon to come the PS3, for a long time. Not much has really changed except the HD picture.(better visuals)
So when is the Console considered "next-gen"? or is the actual Game? can you have a "next-gen" game on a before-gen console? Or a "next-gen" console with before-gen game? if ya catch my drift...
What the heck is next-gen? I think fanboys have twisted the real meaning of the world. I think next-gen is just next-gen. nintendo's next gen is the wii, sony's next gen is the PS3, and Microsoft next gen is the 360. What so hard about this? The word indicates what it is.
Now which console is next gen? Damn it! All of them! Because all of them offer something new than their previous predecessor! Not all consoles offer the same thing. I'm thankful; would you like all consoles to have the same hardware and offer the same thing? This is neither logical nor possible. The hardware of each console reflects the focus of each console’s manufacturer. Which one is better? It depends what you are in for. For some of us each one of them offers something we want (most). While the PS3 may offer you the graphics that no other consoles can't; it will not give you the experience of feeling the bullets or explosions near you playing Battle Field or Call of duty, or the game play of the wiimote but allow the game to be more immersive and allow you to experience of type of visual effects that the wii falls short. Microsoft though has always focus on graphics (DirectX), and some of the things that Sony does; its major focus is building communities hence why the 360 major strength is Xbox live; no other console is offering or may offer the same experience.
Is the next-gen about graphics? No, it is about everything! Who dictate what’s more important for a next gen console (graphics, sound, game play, online experience)? We do; the individual gamer.
You want everything? Buy all consoles! Fanboys (i.e. DJ) may lead you to believe that their favorite consoles offer you everything and the only console you should have is the one they love; anybody with a brain knows this is not logical. Be aware that most fanboys think they way they do simply because they can’t afford more than one console, never own any other console, or are faithful only to brand names.
This is the fork in the road when it comes to PS3 and the 360. They will evolve differently. Lost Planet is an next-gen example.
I think he's right. HOWEVER, graphics are what attracts gamers to games. It's like trying to fall for a woman who is REALLY cool, but kind of ugly. It can be done, but it's tough. I mean, it's the cool part that really matters, but looks are what suck you in to begin with.
I'm not even a graphics whore, I just think in general it's quite important but should NOT indicate "next gen".