Graphics Q

[Steerforth]

Art style is more important than the technical style of graphics.

There's nothing wrong with increased horsepower, but I think with a lot of newer games we are reaching the point where graphics are becoming the whole show. Seems like most of the PS2/Xbox.GC era was just about giving existing 3-d game ideas better and more polished graphics, but we saw obviously less new ideas when 3-d games than when they were relatively new. I feel like this next gen to too many people, especially our noble and influential VG Press, has become more of an extension of that. In the past graphics had gotten dramtically better every 5 years, but I don't see them as as big of a system seller anymore, especially if you have to invest in an HD TV to REALLY see a difference. Also I think the trend toward making games 'photorrealisc' is just striving for wind, they still look like vieogame graphics, that PS3 commercial on 'the most realistic baseball experience' ever made makes me laugh, you gus are still forever away from fooling anyone that those models look lifelike. And the 'closer' you get, the more time you are taking away from things in the game that matter much more. So really who gives a crap?

Some things I do care about :

1. Longer draw distancs
2.  Consistent frame rates

I think the notion that consumers will soon demand graphics better than the Wii can pump out or the notion that game makers suffer by it not having the power of the other 2 subsidy hogs are the biggest myths in gaming today. But I've been wrong before and I shouldn't underestimate the power of the younger generation who buy a lot more games than Steerforth. But then the PS3 is still to expensive for most people and the 360 is apparently the most unreliable system in the history of gaming. MS isn't fighting the notion of 30%, and the most they will say is the 'majority' off gamers don't have problems, so we knowthe failure rate is under 50%, so far, lol. Current gen seems to be less than a slam dunk for HD gaming!

[Astrosmasher1]

I grew up with the Atari 2600  and thought that the graphics were excellent.  Before it was all in my head as I imagined far away places.  Alien cultures and I never thought I would have a chance to exterminate them whist helping a downed pilot. 
I am constantly amazed by new sytems and their power.  The only systems not to blow me away have been Ninny's cube and the underpowered Wii.