Are shadows important to you?

[PlasticTree]

Depends on the game. Shadows can help set the right mood in a lot of games, and in stealthgames their use is obvious. But quite a few games don't need shadows gameplaywise, nor do they use them for the atmosphere: games with colourful, bright surroundings. In a world as abstract as the planets in Super Mario Galaxy shadows are totally useless, to name an example.

 

[AlphaOmega]

They are nice, in stealth games or games with stealth they are obviously needed, but they are the last thing Ill try to max.

 

[Solidus00]

Depends on the game. Splintercell would of sucked if the shadow concept wasnt there.

 

[Vanguard_Ex]

Games, kind of. Real life, yes. Must stay out of the sun...

 

[Sewblon]

Yes, I use them to see if enemies are around corners.

 

[headshotcatcher]

I would notice. But if I can only run pixelated, ugly shadows then I'd rather them not be there. It's more of a detail to me that I can overlook, but not always happily.

When shadows are done right, I notice and the game gets a respectful nod.

Exactly. Also if the shadow is just a circle under every object and person it's very disturbing.

 

[Kajt]

I don't really care about them, and they are the first thing I'll turn off if I have low framerate.

 

[Jandau]

I tend to turn them off or down to low detail, especially if that means I can run with higher quality textures and models. Yes, shadows do make a game look better, but almost everything else makes it look even better, so they are low on my list of priorities.

 

[Andsre]

I normally don't care about them. I just hate the small circles in some games. I understand why they're there, but stil...
Gotta admit though, that I was really impressed, when I first climbed a really tall tower in Assasins creed and the shadow actually showed my movements, like turning around and pulling my sword.

 

[742]

it all depends on the game. starcraft was fine without shadows, i didnt even notice, but imagine going back and playing thief again-without shadows. but it comes down to not only the gameplay, but the atmosphere its trying to set as well. if its dark and spooky, yes, i need my shadows even if its a turn based JRPG.

 

[EscapeGoat_v1legacy]

I guess it depends. If I'm playing a stealth game, then I'd kind of expect the shadows to be there. Shadows also help towards adding depth and realism into a game.

On the other hand, I don't often notice them, and, if I had to sacrifice shadows to allow a game to run properly, then they'd be ditched.

 

[woodesh]

I guess it depends. If I'm playing a stealth game, then I'd kind of expect the shadows to be there. Shadows also help towards adding depth and realism into a game.

On the other hand, I don't often notice them, and, if I had to sacrifice shadows to allow a game to run properly, then they'd be ditched.

fallout 3 seems to be a typical example of sacrificing shadows to allow the game to run smoothly, the suns beaming down on a post apocalyptic day and we see no shadows of any kind. yet the game was still very immersive regardless of that fact.

shadow importance comes down to the style, genre and situation its used in. in certain cases if its a good game these things can be overlooked.

 

[Araxiel]

Thanks to everyone for your opinions. Personally I turn them off, because I haven't yet played Thief, FEAR, or any stealth/horror based game besides MGS2 and Splinter Cell (On the PS2). I agree with everyone about the black circles, because I find it interesting that a light source can actually be BELOW your character yet the shadow is cast on the ground.