Graphics Statement...Follow

You've much to learn, young one. They've never been able to say that. Two generations ago we were still playing games with polygon graphics. In the next generation we had just started to enjoy actual 3D modelling. This is the first generation with the capacity to create polished 3D environments, and that's all we ever envisioned--a cinematic gaming experience. We've already achieved that. Sorry if it wasn't enough for you :p

Thing is, most people are so accustomed to the visual tricks and effects in cinema, nothing we can do with video games will ever be truly impressive from a technical perspective--maybe from an artistic perspective, but not a technical one. Some things show well in trailers, but you're not even going to be processing it while you play the game. In a good game, your brain is focused on other things. As long as the graphics aren't a distraction, they're not doing a lot for your enjoyment of the game.

Frustrated that I can't remember the name for the effect, but this is basically due to bottlenecking of the working memory. In effect, the RAM of the human mind isn't able to keep up with the RAM of graphical rendering. Normally this aids you in suspending disbelief as you focus on what you're supposed to focus on rather than potential flaws, whether in limitations to character behavior, narrative plotholes, or even graphics which are not convincing under a microscope-- but we're not exactly at a tipping point with it. Most gamers are already conditioned not to be engrossed by a game unless the narrative and gameplay do their jobs properly.

It's not like I'm saying that graphics won't get better, but the question in any entertainment medium is: is it more fun? And while you can on some objective level say that better graphics are better, we all know that it's a fraction of a percent of the enjoyment equation for most gamers. A more beautiful game meant something for the first few generations. Now, it only really matters to videophiles.

I remembered: it's cognitive load theory. Related article:
http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040415/full/news040412-3.html
Edited, Apr 16th 2013 6:07am by Kachi

Edited, Apr 16th 2013 6:14am by Kachi

I always thought this was pretty nifty:

That is pretty incredible.

I will dust off my Cray in preparation for Call of Medal of Battlefield Special Zombie Madden Black Ops 37 when it's released lol

The half-life series had a very cool and interactive storyline. One of my favorites.

Thanks you, and yes Half- life 2 was one of my favorite story/cinematic games. It was totally immersive, believable, and otherwise down right fun to play. I loved that game.

Oculus Rift has more of a chance than Glass at this point.

Oculus Rift would like to have a word with you. Seriously, they're already shipping dev kits.

Edited, Apr 17th 2013 7:43pm by Wint

You mean like Kid Chameleon? Without the real life death, of course.

And when it finally comes out, gamers will call it too gimmicky.

Basically. I mean TRUE (and realistic VR) is a very long way off. Oculus rift is a headset display. They've done such things in the past like the Olympus Eyetrek (I believe it was called). But those things are ultimately just up close HUDs although in Oculus's case it's fairly more robust. But for VR to really work you have to have supremely sharp graphics, superb AI, etc other wise you'll feel like you're simply experiencing a 2d game up really close. Like I said, 30-40 years minimum.

..when it comes to futuristicness, always err on the side of a long timeline. All too many future sci-fi movies have been made to look silly as we surpass their proposed future year. *cough* Back to the future *cough*

Did you check the trunk of your flying car?

I completely agree. Part of the problem with the Virtual Boy (of many) was that even though it simulated 3D, in every other way it was a tremendous step backwards in terms of graphics. Imagine how that will be when we finally get true 3D. We'll be back to the polygon era of gaming, only this time people are spoiled on graphics that are actually pretty good.

And development has almost always been the primary graphics bottleneck. Just because we have the technology doesn't mean that a developer can shore up the time and money to actually create an entire game with it. While advances in the software tools are making it much easier, it's not exactly painting a landscape in the park.

Guilty as charged. Though I guess that'll necessitate voice chat integration or something. >.>;