I have had it with Valve

[MiracleOfSound]

I just pointed out that L4D2 was visually ugly

It's not. Despite all the zombies running around, L4D2 is actually quite aesthetically pleasing.

You could argue that the graphics are aged, but not that they're ugly. Different things, and quite subjective, unless you're incapable of judging a picture by anything but technique.

The word 'ugly' is often used in the gaming community to describe graphics that are sub-par on a technical level, as opposed to an artistic one.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

While I don't disagree with you, you have to remember that L4D2 is a multiplayer game with zombies so you get a massive amount of objects going on at one time and they have to dial it down a tad. That and half the photos you put were pre-rendered.

The Assassins Creed one may be slightly touched up but the others are all from gameplay, I'v eplayed all the games there and they're all lookers.

Also, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood runs on an engine that can have 40-50 NPCs walking around at any given time with complex AI routines, all while constantly loading in gorgeous high resolution building and environmental textures with a draw distance that stretches for miles around.

This in both single and multiplayer.

 

[JediMB]

I just pointed out that L4D2 was visually ugly

It's not. Despite all the zombies running around, L4D2 is actually quite aesthetically pleasing.

You could argue that the graphics are aged, but not that they're ugly. Different things, and quite subjective, unless you're incapable of judging a picture by anything but technique.

The word 'ugly' is often used in the gaming community to describe graphics that are sub-par on a technical level, as opposed to an artistic one.

Which is incorrect, and devalues computer graphics as an art form.

Personally I tend to refer to those people as "graphics whores", but that's me.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Which is incorrect, and devalues computer graphics as an art form.

Personally I tend to refer to those people as "graphics whores", but that's me.

Whatever. I didn't start the trend.

And a 'graphics whore' is someone who places more value on graphics than other aspects.

 

[JediMB]

Which is incorrect, and devalues computer graphics as an art form.

Personally I tend to refer to those people as "graphics whores", but that's me.

Whatever. I didn't start the trend.

And a 'graphics whore' is someone who places more value on graphics than other aspects.

Truthfully, I was guilty of thinking that way back when I was 14-15, and Quake II was still hot shit.

True, but they're usually the same people, in my experience.

 

[SonicKoala]

How can you declare that Portal 2 is just going to be "more of the same"? Have you played the game yet? No, you haven't, and therefore you have absolutely no basis for your claim that it will be "more of the same", and thus that point just makes you look like a troll.

Have you ever heard of these amazing things called gaming magazines and previews? Did you know that developers sometimes use these to showcase games before they're released? It's quite amazing, there's actually a site full of trailers called YouTube, you should check it out sometime!

There are two things wrong with the comment you just posted - for one, if the OP actually did take the time to examine the various previews which have been released regarding Portal 2, then his comment of it being "more of the same" would come off as even more idiotic than it already did, since Portal 2 clearly features not only environmental alterations, but a wide array of new gameplay mechanics as well. Anyone who can watch any of those trailers and say "oh yeah, that's just going to be exactly like Portal" is someone I'd rather never have to meet, as they clearly lack the ability to formulate any sort of coherent or rational thought inside their thick skull.

However, most importantly, I'd just have to ask - how long have you been gaming? Judging by your comment, I'd assume it to be a matter of days, since the previews which are offered in game magazines or on gaming websites are, more often than not, incredibly poor indicators of a game's actual quality. Seriously, one could write a book on the number of games which looked absolutely incredible in their previews, but ended up being complete piles of tripe. Your sarcasm is both ignorant and unnecessary - congratulations.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Truthfully, I was guilty of thinking that way back when I was 14-15, and Quake II was still hot shit.

True, but they're usually the same people, in my experience.

I think more of us are suckers for nice graphics than we care to admit. Hell, I played Far Cry 2 way more than I should have because it was so pretty.

And I'd bet that the same Valve fanboys now saying 'graphics whores! graphics don't matter!' are the same ones who 6 years ago were boasting to everyone else about how good Half Life 2 looked.

 

[JediMB]

Truthfully, I was guilty of thinking that way back when I was 14-15, and Quake II was still hot shit.

True, but they're usually the same people, in my experience.

I think more of us are suckers for nice graphics than we care to admit. Hell, I played Far Cry 2 way more than I should have because it was so pretty.

And I'd bet that the same Valve fanboys now saying 'graphics whores! graphics don't matter!' are the same ones who 6 years ago were boasting to everyone else about how good Half Life 2 looked.

Personally I really loved playing with fire in Far Cry 2. Of course it's not like I can't appreciate advances in the technical aspects of graphics, since they also open up for gameplay innovations, but for surface alone I'll choose aesthetics over tech any time of the week.

Can't really recall what I said about Half-Life 2's graphics back in the day. I think I might have been too busy going with the flow of the game, and having fun. Well, I think the most impressive graphical bits were the backdrops, since HL2 was the first game I played that didn't just rely on sky boxes and other lazy 2D backgrounds.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Personally I really loved playing with fire in Far Cry 2. Of course it's not like I can't appreciate advances in the technical aspects of graphics, since they also open up for gameplay innovations, but for surface alone I'll choose aesthetics over tech any time of the week.

Can't really recall what I said about Half-Life 2's graphics back in the day. I think I might have been too busy going with the flow of the game, and having fun. Well, I think the most impressive graphical bits were the backdrops, since HL2 was the first game I played that didn't just rely on sky boxes and other lazy 2D backgrounds.

Yeah HL2's Vistas were pretty amazing. I loved how the citadel was visibly getting closer and closer all the time, very ominous.

It does look dated now, of course, being 6 years old (7??) but that magic atmosphere is still there. I just didn't feel that at all with L4D and L4D 2, they just seemed flat and bland to me.

 

[monkey_man]

Besides, Valve games aren't about graphics, they are about gameplay. Which, in my opinion, matters most.

Funny, I keep hearing this 'graphics don't matter!' argument from the same Valve fanboys who 6 years ago were constantly boasting about how good Half Life 2 looked (and probably bitching that it was coming to consoles).

Beside, I never said graphics were more important than gameplay. But it'as nice when a game gets both right, it helps suck you into the experience.

HL2 is one of my top 3 games of all time, and a big part of my enjoyment stems from living in the world they created, which is given its atmosphere and feel from being beautifully visually designed.

haha 6 years ago I was 9 man, so You probably heard it from someone else XD.
But graphics can indeed make a good experience better, but alone it's still useless

 

[koriantor]

Thanks for your wall of text, but I never said anyone should care about graphics, nor did I say they were more important than gameplay.

I just pointed out that L4D2 was visually ugly, someone disagreed and I posted pictures to back it up. You're talking to someone who spent a big part of this year playing Morrowind, Fallout 1 and 2, Silent Hill 2 and Ocarina Of Time so spare me your graphics v gameplay lecture.

I apologize, I did not mean to direct it at you, I was just quoting you for emphasis on my first point. Hug?

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I apologize, I did not mean to direct it at you, I was just quoting you for emphasis on my first point. Hug?

Lol, ok then... hug

 

[JediMB]

Personally I really loved playing with fire in Far Cry 2. Of course it's not like I can't appreciate advances in the technical aspects of graphics, since they also open up for gameplay innovations, but for surface alone I'll choose aesthetics over tech any time of the week.

Can't really recall what I said about Half-Life 2's graphics back in the day. I think I might have been too busy going with the flow of the game, and having fun. Well, I think the most impressive graphical bits were the backdrops, since HL2 was the first game I played that didn't just rely on sky boxes and other lazy 2D backgrounds.

Yeah HL2's Vistas were pretty amazing. I loved how the citadel was visibly getting closer and closer all the time, very ominous.

It does look dated now, of course, being 6 years old (7??) but that magic atmosphere is still there. I just didn't feel that at all with L4D and L4D 2, they just seemed flat and bland to me.

Gonna have to replay HL2 one of these days. Probably after the fanmade remake of HL1 is done, though.

As for the L4D-series' atmosphere, I really love the graffiti and such, but as far as vistas go I haven't really thought too much about the environments. I'll make a note to keep my eyes open next time I play, unless I'm too busy being surrounded by zombies.

 

[Bat Vader]

well, the source engine is not outdated in the slightest, its very easy to modify and it was one of the first users of HDR. Console junkies just want everything with no consideration of limitations.
Portal 2 will be amazing and you will still buy it regardless if you have to wait a long time.
ep. 3 will also be amazing, because valve is sort of like billy talent or radiohead, they take a long time to make a new game (or album) but when its out, its amazing and people will still buy it.
Valva has never made a bad game.
this guy whos complaining is probably a console gamer, TF2 for console suxxxx

Why does it matter if a person plays a game using a Console or a PC? We are all gamers. It does not matter what we play games on. What matters is that we like/love games. Insulting someone over what Console or PC they use to play games on is wrong. I play Team Fortress 2 on both the Console and the PC. In my opinion both versions of the game are good.

On Topic: I like the games Valve makes. Portal 2 does not seem the same at all. I think it looks pretty fun. In my opinion graphics are not that big of a deal to me. What matters to me is the story and game-play in a game. I know Valve is taking a long time on developing Half Life 2: Episode 3 but I would rather have a developer spend a long time on a game and make sure it is right.

 

[SNIPERFOX ft. Harry P.Ness]

IF you MUST insist, there is a leaked version of episode 3, i will post the link if you want

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip0O54pKHrM

Proof that that's real. If so, then damn, those are pretty graphics. Quite a nice apocalyptic wasteland too.

one guy downloaded the same thing and he got banned from steam, for well, PLAYING LEAKED CONTENT