Are graphics really that big of a deal?

[Cody211282]

After looking at this article I got to thinking about if graphics in games are really all that important, and after reading a few reviews for games that just game out, like Alpha Protocol and Alan Wake, I'm starting to think I'm in the minority. From what i think Alpha Protocols graphics were fine, I didn't see really anything all that wrong with them(I'm not counting glitches just overall how the people and terrain looked), and from what I have seen of Alan Wake I couldn't find anything to complain about. I also don't own an HDTV or HD monitor so I'm a bit behind with that as well. So what I wanted to ask, is does anyone else think like me that graphics shouldn't be the first thing that developers think of when it comes to their budget?Now Don't get me wrong I know they are important but really I don't care about the difference from games 3 years ago and ones coming out now(graphics wise at least).

EDIT: Ok just to make it clear I am in now way saying that I don't like all these nice graphics we have, what I was trying to say is that I don't agree that 90% of a games budget should not be used on them, also that most gamers nit pick them to death and games coming out with low graphics(like Alpha Protocol) are still fun and I don't care if they look good enough to make my eyes bleed in joy.

 

[ethaninja]

Apparently it's cool to think graphics aren't important or some such nonsense. My own opinion however? Sure, they help immerse the game, but not much much. So I'm in agreement with you, they aren't that big a deal.

 

[Carlston]

If they aren't horrible to look at, they aren't important at all. Since most games are lovely animated eye candy with no plot, no fun, no good controls ect ect, yet you can see the zits on your characrets face and look at that ingrown hair on his neck! Amazing?

When it's 90 percent of a gaming budget and they forget to add little things in like controls, story, ect I could do with less graphics and more fun.

 

[Dys]

I dunno, is it a big deal if you go into a movie and the picture is crap?

Graphics matter, a lot. Good graphics don't necessarily mean high resolution or fancy lighting, it means that the game art is clear and it sets an appropriate atmosphere.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Graphics are very important to me in certain kinds of games.

Red Dead Redemption, Fallout 3, Modern Warfare 2.... none of these games would have thier amazing atmospheres without the pretty graphics.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Graphics will not make a game but they can certainly break one.

 

[starhaven]

depends on the game if they are a good game with a good story and game play no

if its a massive dog turd on a stick then yes it helps atleast then u are looking at somthing nice (FF13 i am looking right at you)(YES YOU)

 

[Sir_Tor]

No, Mount and blade proves this. At first look the graphics are quite bad but you'll get used to it!

 

[Zeromaeus]

Graphics are important, but if it comes down to having good graphics or sacrificing gameplay, gameplay is more important.

Case in point: FF XIII

 

[MellowFellow]

I think graphics are important for a game, but they should not have priority over story and gameplay. Story and gameplay are what make a game, so they should be the most important, at least that is the way I view it.

 

[ThePostalGamer]

Graphics don't mean a lot to me. It was nice looking through holes in the Ishimura to see other planets and abandoned ships in Dead Space while my air was ticking down, but it wasn't all that important.

Good graphics are a nice bonus to me, nothing more.

 

[AllLagNoFrag]

Graphics will not make a game but they can certainly break one.

Agreed. If you really cant stand the way a game looks, why the hell would you play it? However, so far, I have not hated a game that I played just because of the graphics.

I dont really bother about things such as motion blur and all that (I do not play with it on, I find it pointless). Also, I am a laptop user so that means that I do not play games at Ultra or High quality.

Then again, can anybody tell me a game with AMAZING graphics that absolutely suck? (There are some out there, but I cant think of any.)

 

[Cody211282]

I dunno, is it a big deal if you go into a movie and the picture is crap?

Graphics matter, a lot. Good graphics don't necessarily mean high resolution or fancy lighting, it means that the game art is clear and one it sets an appropriate atmosphere.

True take Fallout 3 for example, the graphics in that game sucked you in and made you believe you were in a nuclear hell hole. But on the other hand I couldn't tell the difference between COD4 and MW2, both games were very very shiny, and damn well made(on the graphics side) but after some point you just can't get that much more out of your game engine.

Then again, can anybody tell me a game with AMAZING graphics that absolutely suck? (There are some out there, but I cant think of any.)

GTA 4 had looked great but was rather lacking in the fun department(I think it was more of how they were trying to make the game feel then just making a bad game). Also Perfect Dark Zero had rather good graphics when it came out way back when, but it was just bad(actually most console launch titles are like that).

 

[Glamorgan]

They aren't essential in most games, but some they are. Case in point, Heavy Rain. Admittedly, some of the models were a little dodgy, but without graphics like that, it wouldn't have been able to draw me in like it did. On the other end of the spectrum, some old games have terrible graphics by todays standards, but they were still very fun. Case in point, Mario 64. One of the great Nintendo games, before they went down the casual path.

 

[Semitendon]

Bad graphics can destroy the immersion element of a game, and be a distraction.

Good graphics are ones that you don't notice, or are simply mindblowingly good.

In short, yes, graphics are important, bad graphics can destroy a game, but good graphics have limited ability to improve a game. Graphics aren't the only attribute to take into consideration, but they do play a role.

 

[JEBWrench]

Really? This again? At this rate, I'm going to become a search-bar nazi, comrade.

I'll recycle my usual answer:

Graphics matter to a point. That point being whether or not I can figure out what the Hell is going on.

(See: Daikatana for example)

 

[Ekit]

Graphics helps immerse you into the game. But I think presentation is more important than graphics.

 

[YouCallMeNighthawk]

yeah i do think graphics ar eimportant to make the game look pretty, but in my own opinion i can live with mediocre graphics.

 

[cybran]

I think the important thing is for graphics and gameplay to work together, the graphics are only as good as the gameplay it supports and Vice versa.
Crysis have some astonishing moments where a great deal of graphics are required even to the story, so they walk hand in hand.
Then you have games like Penumbra, the graphics aren't any good, but the gameplay leave you so helpless no matter the graphics the game is scary as hell.

I also played Morrorwind AFTER I played Oblivion and that convinced me totally, both games we're great, in different ways. One of oblivions strong points were the graphics, but I didnt complain about the morrowind graphics, they were as good as they ever needed to be.

 

[Continuity]

Do graphics matter... for what? you've got to be precise. My grandma matters but I'm sure the gaming world doesn't give a damn about that.

If you're asking are high end graphics essential for good gameplay then my answer would be a resounding NO. however if you're asking if they are worth anything at all the the answer is yes, of course. Graphics can add tremendously to a game and can even be a primary feature of a game, however graphics rarely - if ever - contribute significantly to gameplay itself.