Big developers are discovering that the technical progress of photorealism doesn’t always translate into the creative spark that gives gamers joy – and keeps them playing
I care so much more about whether the game runs smooth and has decently high fps than hair physics, ray tracing and photorealism. Those attributes do not add to the fun of a game imo.
Those attributes do not add to the fun of a game imo.
I’m going to mildly disagree. I like my games to be immersive, and I don’t know if it’s just me, but don’t find myself immersed with pixel art.
All other things being equal (a phrase doing a lot of heavy lifting) I prefer photorealistic graphics. Obviously, if a game isn’t fun then it doesn’t matter how pretty it is, but if a game isn’t fun, pixel graphics aren’t going to change that.
I too like games being immersive, but its not photorealism or pixel art, there’s a lot in between, I can still go and play ps1 games like mgs1 and get immersed in the story.
Obviously, if a game isn’t fun then it doesn’t matter how pretty it is
I can still go and play ps1 games like mgs1 and get immersed in the story.
For me it’s like watching SD Video on a CRT TV. Back then, it was the best we had and we didn’t know better, but in a world with 4k video on a high end TV, I can’t go back-- the poor visuals become distracting to me. That feels like a “me” problem, though.
I care so much more about whether the game runs smooth and has decently high fps than hair physics, ray tracing and photorealism. Those attributes do not add to the fun of a game imo.
I’m going to mildly disagree. I like my games to be immersive, and I don’t know if it’s just me, but don’t find myself immersed with pixel art.
All other things being equal (a phrase doing a lot of heavy lifting) I prefer photorealistic graphics. Obviously, if a game isn’t fun then it doesn’t matter how pretty it is, but if a game isn’t fun, pixel graphics aren’t going to change that.
I too like games being immersive, but its not photorealism or pixel art, there’s a lot in between, I can still go and play ps1 games like mgs1 and get immersed in the story.
That was essentially what I was trying to say lol
For me it’s like watching SD Video on a CRT TV. Back then, it was the best we had and we didn’t know better, but in a world with 4k video on a high end TV, I can’t go back-- the poor visuals become distracting to me. That feels like a “me” problem, though.
Pixel art is a long way off from a game with realistic graphics that at least runs well because they didn’t animate every single hair or whatever.
Smooth rendering is table stakes, for sure.