Richard Garriott Interview: Graphics Aren't Everything

Lord British! Richard Garriott himself, one of the first video game developers ever comes by to talk about his new game, "Shroud of the Avatar" and how the industry has changed in 40 odd years.

Choice quotes include: "Battlefield 4 looks great- but really? This again"

Enjoy!

Starts at: 31:30

[DestinyHeroDoomlord]

They aren't, but I know alot of graphics hoes who buy a game purely on how it looks and not how it plays... so you could say games with graphics are easier to sell than games with great game play. (Cod being the exception :). Funny even though game play owns graphics

[PureSophistry]

I like the term "Graphic Hoe"

[Fishy Fingers]

Click on a PS4 thread and see how many comments raise the gameplay over graphics. You'll struggle to find one.

Gameplay is hugely important to a games longevity, once it's in the publics hands, when it matters. I've clocked more time on super meat boy than BF3. But initially you usually generate hype and interest through screens/videos (graphics).

Everyone likes to argue the gameplay > graphics argument, although if you track most gaming conversion these days, it's graphics graphics graphics.

[koehler83]

Have you played many PS4 games?

[Fishy Fingers]

Don't really understand what you getting at? Notice were I said gameplay takes charge once a game is IN THE PUBLICS HANDS.

[koehler83]

But there are no PS4 games in the hands of the public. So how is that a relevant argument?

That's like discussing space policy from the perspective of already having colonies on the moon.

[aLucidMind]

He's saying most of the people talking about a game will be talking about the graphics, proving that graphics certainly is an important part of a game in the eyes of the gaming community, but that this is only prior to the game's release. Once it is released, it is up to the gameplay to prove whether or not those gamers will keep that game and make itself worth the $60+ we paid for it.

TLDR; he is saying graphics is important to gamers, but that gameplay is significantly more important since it is gameplay that determines the game's worth and quality.

[Orionsangel]

The most important element in a game is the game play, no one wants a game that has bad controls, but at the same time we don't want all games to look like stick man drawings. Graphics or Story would come next. Depending on your taste. I know players who are instantly turned off by a game with mediocre graphics. Regardless of anything else. In other words what's really best for a game does not always reflect what the public wants and so If the public wants another BF game with better graphics. Who are you to tell them any different? Yes, there are those games that don't have mind-blowing graphics and are beloved, but at the end of the day it's bigger and better graphics that drive this industry. If not we'd still be playing 8-bit games.

[WUTCHUGUNNADO]

Graphics show me the industry is moving. Gameplay usually defines the game itself which is why you see the same regurgitated stuff with better graphics year after year.

Simplifying the term isn't helping either... Graphics aren't limited to shiny surfaces and bumpmaps. It defines the whole art style of the game as well.