Poll: Should game developers freeze their graphics hardware?

[JC175]

Won't freezing the hardware make it all icy and not run properly?

+1

Seriously though, I don't think there needs to be a "freeze" in graphics hardware, I just think that they should be a lower priority when designing games.

 

[Avatar Roku]

This [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKTAJBQSm10&feature=related] sort of addresses it, at least by the end. Personally, I think that we can continue to develop our graphics hardware and be okay, so long as we also have other things as well. I mean, we can have the photorealism of Cryis next to the stylization of Windwaker, can't we?

i saw it and instantly thought it would suck cause he was copying yahtzee...but he's actually quite good.

Yeah. I don't really think he's copying Yahtzee though; the style's there, but it's really all his own. He does put a "Inspired by Zero Punctuation" disclaimer at the end though, and when asked about it on a podcast (check his most recent videos for links to the two podcasts he's been in), he said that he put it there to take the wind out of the sails of anyone trying to discredit him by saying "Oh, he's just a Yahtzee imitator".

 

[Sanaj]

Relax jdnoth and Jumplion, I think you're both taking this too seriously.

I've personally never understood the necessity of wining an argument online in which no one knows who you are or cares.

Please try and remain civil.

As for what I think about this topic see JC175's post above.

 

[silentsentinel]

Let them keep increasing graphical capabilities. Some day, graphical capabilities will reach a plateau, enabling developers to create whatever they want. Amazing graphics will become the norm, and focus will shift back to gameplay.

 

[Jumplion]

Relax jdnoth and Jumplion, I think you're both taking this too seriously.

I've personally never understood the necessity of wining an argument online in which no one knows who you are or cares.

Please try and remain civil.

As for what I think about this topic see JC175's post above.

I would like to ask how am I not being civil? I'll admit my first post does sound a little hot-headed, but I couldn't give two shits if I win or lose this argument. It just annoys me how I always see someone say "graphics are ruining the game industry!" when it's all a bunch of bullhonkey.

 

[Leorex]

Oh please be quiet. The poll is extremely biased.

Quite frankly, no developers don't need nor should they all of a sudden stop updating and improving on anything and that includes graphics.

I prefer to call them "visuals" as that implies the aesthetic viewpoint of graphics, not the pixel pushing polygon that "Graphics" are referred to.

Oh, and of course you point to the Metal Gears and the Final Fantasies of the original Playstation. It's not like those graphics, as the time, were cutting edge or anything. It's not like people gawked at the visuals of the games and thought "wow, graphics can't get any better than this!"

Oh oh oh, Of COURSE games you pick games like MGS and Final Fantasy had shitty graphics, but that's by todays standards! Back then they were the cutting edge of visuals, the diamonds in the rough! You simply cannot say that "graphics don't make the game!" and then point to an older game where the graphics are outdated by todays ability of graphics. Since the visuals are no longer that great, you can easily see past those and see the gameplay and story in the game.

I am so sick of people whining about how "graphics are killing the industry!". Well I've got news for you, it's always been like this. There's no shortages of Mirror's Edge's, Braids, Patapons, or any other crazy game that isn't a pixel pumping machine. Graphics have always been like this to begin with and it won't suddenly stop overnight just because you don't think we need 1080p over 1080i visuals (not that I care to much for either, but I still love my 1080i TV)

If we can improve on graphics, then we can improve on pretty much everything else. Improving storylines isn't exactly easy or cheap, and gameplay all relys on both story and graphics. Graphics/visuals are probably one of the easier aspects of a game to improve, and that includes things like animation, textures, or lighting effects. They each have their own part of the visual spectrem.

And I have MORE news for you. Very few developers ever improved graphics just for the hell of it, if any. All developers who go on about graphics, they're not clamoring over how many pixels you get on the screen, they're going bannanas over the fact that more pixels on the screen means more imersion. If we could get Crysis level or Killzone 2 level prettiness on near every game, then we're in for some awesomely atmospheric and beautiful games that we can be drawn into.

BLAHSALDKFHASDGL, that's enough of the rant, I'm not even sure if I'm making sense.

this, and i also didnt vote because it was biasd.

 

[Sanaj]

I would like to ask how am I not being civil? I'll admit my first post does sound a little hot-headed, but I couldn't give two shits if I win or lose this argument. It just annoys me how I always see someone say "graphics are ruining the game industry!" when it's all a bunch of bullhonkey.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend...maybe you don't need or want to win the argument.

What I was trying to point out was...

Why does someone posting an opinion that you don't agree with bother you?
Can't you accept that there exists another viewpoint than your own?

(I just dug myself a larger hole...didn't I?)

 

[Jumplion]

I would like to ask how am I not being civil? I'll admit my first post does sound a little hot-headed, but I couldn't give two shits if I win or lose this argument. It just annoys me how I always see someone say "graphics are ruining the game industry!" when it's all a bunch of bullhonkey.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend...maybe you don't need or want to win the argument.

What I was trying to point out was...

Why does someone posting an opinion that you don't agree with bother you?
Can't you accept that there exists another viewpoint than your own?

(I just dug myself a larger hole...didn't I?)

You've dug yourself into a deep, deep hole, young padawan. One of which you will never come out of O_O

The OP is certainly entitled to his opinion, but that doesn't change the fact that I've seen that one opinion so many times that it gets so very very old and it's just annoying. Does that mean that I should just stay quiet? Maybe, but I am also entitled to voice my own opinion even if it is against the OPs opinion, which it is.

 

[Sanaj]

I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend...maybe you don't need or want to win the argument.

What I was trying to point out was...

Why does someone posting an opinion that you don't agree with bother you?
Can't you accept that there exists another viewpoint than your own?

(I just dug myself a larger hole...didn't I?)

You've dug yourself into a deep, deep hole, young padawan. One of which you will never come out of O_O

The OP is certainly entitled to his opinion, but that doesn't change the fact that I've seen that one opinion so many times that it gets so very very old and it's just annoying. Does that mean that I should just stay quiet? Maybe, but I am also entitled to voice my own opinion even if it is against the OPs opinion, which it is.

I didn't say you shouldn't voice your opinion...you are definitely entitled to do so.

If this topic bothers you much why do you take the time to read them and respond?

Before I post something else that will be misconstrued; I'll say again...

I'm sorry if I have offended and best of luck to you.

 

[Xanadeas]

No, I feel the gaming industry needs to continue improving graphics... However they also need to improve storyline. I'd love a really pretty, detailed game. Except I've got a crappy computer and can't run much of anything. D: nVidia GeForce 5200 FX is the best I can get for this particular comp and that's what I've got.

 

[Jumplion]

I didn't say you shouldn't voice your opinion...you are definitely entitled to do so.

If this topic bothers you much why do you take the time to read them and respond?

Before I post something else that will be misconstrued; I'll say again...

I'm sorry if I have offended and best of luck to you.

You're not offending me at all, no need to carefully tread the mine field.

I think you answered your own question here, "you are definitely entitled to do so (state your opinion).

That, and the OP was asking a question to beging with, "Should game developers freeze their graphics hardware?". I simply gave him my response.

 

[lacktheknack]

I refuse to vote. There's no option for "Don't freeze graphics, but concentrate on graphics less".

 

[LazerLuger]

Yes, graphics should continue to improve over time, but preferably in stable increments that players can upgrade with. Congratulations to Crytek for making Crysis, a game from 10 years in the future. Too bad nobody owns a NASA supercomputer to play it with.

 

[AkJay]

Well, the way you worded both of your choices, it seems incredibly fucking biased.

 

[Xanadu84]

I remember dropping a class in college, and I said that it was so I could improve my grades in other classes. The real effect was I had more free time, and did the same in my classes. That's what people do. You have a bunch of people in a room trying to supe up the latest video card, and doing a good job. If you tell them to go home, that does nothing for the people in the next room over designing the rules. The problems not in the graphics, the problem is in the maturation of games as a medium.

 

[NoNameMcgee]

Better graphics = better immersion in the experience.

So no, more pretty games please. But it's nice to have a balance, and any game that honestly favours the graphics above the gameplay is one I won't bother with. Gameplay is much more important but amazing graphics are not only nice to look at but also give a greater feeling that you're really 'there'. Amazing graphics can turn a great game into an awesome game.


I don't agree with the notion that games have become less fun. I usually find the average game of today a lot more fun than any of the 'perfect' 'masterpeices' of 10 years ago. I think that mostly gameplay mechanics have improved just as much as the graphics have.

 

[Xanadu84]

Yes, graphics should continue to improve over time, but preferably in stable increments that players can upgrade with. Congratulations to Crytek for making Crysis, a game from 10 years in the future. Too bad nobody owns a NASA supercomputer to play it with.

I disagree with this sentiment. I could play Crysis on my 6 year old computer. Lowest setting sure, but low settings on Crysis looks like ultra settings on many other games. The only problem is that nagging impression that you aren't leet enough to turn up the settings. The reccomended settings are a mediocre dual core, 2 gigs of RAM, and one of the less impressive line of graphics cards from the last generation. Your not going to be annoyed by the system requirements unless you need all your games on max setting on principle, and if you need all your games on max setting on principle, chances are you have a pretty good gaming rig, and you will have no problems running Crysis.

 

[tehweave]

Before I agree with you wholeheartedly, I must say one thing... This seems kinda biased. "Killzone 2 was the best game ever!" I've never played it, and yes, I've heard it wasn't great, but maybe some people enjoyed it.

Under protest... YES. Graphics need to freeze right now. Don't TRY for anything higher, you've added the parsley to the dish with the latest generation. The dish is complete, LET US EAT.

 

[Crystal Cuckoo]

I wouldn't mind...
It would mean having to save upgrading my computer purely for a new graphics card (and a more powerful CPU)

 

[Xan Krieger]

Well, the way you worded both of your choices, it seems incredibly fucking biased.

This is true but I do think we have enough in the way of graphics hardware. The article on here said about staying with the current generation of graphics for a few years and the person who wrote the article brought up a great example. Doom 3 still looks great though it's old. We could stick to Doom 3 era graphics for perhaps 2 more years then move up.