As video games develop more and more over the years, companies have been making them more and more realistic-looking. I can guess this is related to expectations, but am I the only one who doesn’t care about graphics? We could be using the same processing power to store worlds that have as much exploration potential as the Earth itself if we weren’t afraid to save on processing power by going back to 8-bit.
A game can only give you so many hours before it becomes boring. Sandbox games aside, most are done after 100 to 200 hours. More content wouldn’t really revive them as you already know the gameplay loop.
Graphics isn’t as important as art style, however I’d rather play a game with realistic graphics but lack of distinguishing art direction, than one with art direction but overall being too basic with their graphics. Graphics is a huge part of immersion to me.
I play a lot of indie games with poor graphics. Best example Minecraft, but when I can install higher resolution textures, realistic lighting and animated foliage, it is eye candy. I can just stand there and look at the beautiful world and relax. I do need zero gameplay at this point and am still entertained.
Gameplay is overrated, give me pretty graphics. Be it realistic or not.
TIL Minecraft is considered an Indie game. I thought it was a company one.
Microsoft bought Mojang after a few years.
Ah, that’s where the confusion comes from then.
Very interesting. Does story come into it at all for you? Audio?
Sometimes it feels like video games are actually ten different mediums that we lump together for no real reason.
Yes, audio is important too. I’ve played games that had almost no graphics but nice music that pulled me in. I’m a bit strange on even overlooking flaws, as long as the music is fantastic.
In my eyes games are the peak of art. They combine clever game design, mechanics, image, physics, story, music and sound and more.
I enjoy good stories, I’m just rarely surprised by a twist or enjoy following long expositions. I prefer “show, don’t tell”. I prefer open world sandbox games. The more details, the more graphics, the better. I can create my own story if I want to.