With the development of next-generation gaming systems, developers are putting great emphasis on the graphic quality of games. Many gamers hope that visual innovations won’t sacrifice the overall value of the game. “Graphics quality is not as important as gameplay,” said first-year Paul Facknitz. “They [high quality graphics] are nice to have, but are far from essential.”
Facknitz explained how games with spectacular graphics engines, though visually appealing, do not always equate to a satisfying gaming experience. “I think games that focus on graphics can be very fun,” he said. “But that is not the only way to make a great game.”
Facknitz expressed a need for games that do more than look good. He also agreed that high quality graphics are always a good thing, and are always in high demand.
There was once a day when gamers were amazed at the pixilated sprites of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES); there was also a time when the Super Nintendo’s FX sound chip had the highest video game sound quality. With those days far behind, gamers want the greatest detailed put into their games, from the sweat on the brows of their athletes to the bugs on the windshields of their cars.
“Better graphics, and more detail allow you to become a part of the game,” explained sophomore Jonathan Lyons. “Getting the small details into a game adds to the realism of the gameplay.”
Lyons gave the example of FIFA World Cup 2006 for the Xbox 360. “You can almost smell the grass on the field,” he said. “The dirt stains, the sweat, the wild crowds – it’s all there and that is what makes the game more playable.”
In an ironic twist, the greatest demand for realism is found in the industry’s most fantastic games; gamers demand the limitations and realities of physics and life as they control a one-man army sent to destroy the military’s ultimate weapon (Metal Gear Solid), or when they take on the role of a lone Spartan seeking revenge on the Gods who abandoned him (God of War).
As contradictory as it may seem, however, these strides towards realism in games do nothing but improve the gaming experience and allow gamers to further immerse themselves in the lives of their favorite characters.
The next-generation of game consoles will not show a significant attempt to cater greatly to the wants of the buyers. Indeed, it is far from the greatest technological leap in the gaming industry, especially when compared to the leap between the Super Nintendo and the Sony Playstation.
“I’m expecting more of the same from next-gen games,” said Facknitz. “Though the graphics will be great, they’re probably going to be used on more first-person shooters and more sports games.”
The NES promised graphics that would far overshadow the capabilities of the arcades of the time. The Super Nintendo provided a sound card that challenged the clarity of most stereos of the day. The Playstation moved gamers from their 2D fantasies to the far more realistic world of 3D, and the Playstation 2 and Xbox gaming engines prided themselves on their ability to convey character emotions and environmental ambience.
The next-generation of consoles has the obligation to not only utilize their graphical prowess, but also to develop meaningful games with deep plots and high re-playability.
“The more in-depth the plot and the more controls a game has, the less it has to rely on its graphics,” said Lyons. “Though great to look at, games that only rely on how real the water looks get old fairly fast.”
With the development of such realistic technology, games have become more than simply an escape from reality, for they have become the entrances into many others. However, according to many gamers, the key to achieving the goal of reality means progression in the flow of games – as well as how they are played – much more than simply what they look like.