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"You're meant to want realism, you fools!"

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Thu 28/11/02 at 16:26
Regular
Posts: 787
...or are you? It seems to me that nowadays we don't know what we want. I could have sworn that ten years ago we were all going crazy over crappy-looking games like Sonic and Mario. Now I can't go too far back because my gaming 'career' didn't start until the Sega Master system, but I seem to remember wetting myself with excitement at the prospect of Sonic Adventures 2 - a game that as I look on it today, looks slightly absurd. But even though it looked a bit pants, we still loved it because it was the best we could get. Back then no-one expected CD-quality sound or bump mapping or any of this technical nonsense. But still in today's world these games wouldn't even see the light of day. It's like your granny - you're very happy to make her cups of tea at home and nick money from her purse, but how many of you can say you have NEVER denied her existence to your friends? Thought so.

Because although retro games like that might be all well and good stashed away in your 'naughty' drawer, today it seems we won't even go near a game unless it's eyeball-poppingly pretty. In fact we scoff at games today when the graphics are merely 'functional'. So by today's standards we don't expect anything less than better than average. What's the deal with that!? What's wrong with just playing a game where you can see what's going on and thats just it?

I think the answer is because you need to play pretty games because you have to justify you playing them. Sorry if I've got this wrong but I've never really thought to ask anyone about WHY they like pretty graphics, so I'm just guessing. Basically, the way I see it, when playing games you feel like a geek and so to justify you playing this game you need to boast that it's 'cool' because it looks nice. I mean, what's the deal with that?

It's the same with what console you have chosen or if your games are 'realistic' or not. If anyone (especially on SR Forums) makes fun of a game you like or the console you own, you yourself are emotionally hurt or upset. Its not that they're making fun of YOU personally, but you feel that the console or game you've chosen isn't 'cool' so you yourself are seen as a stupid geeky nerd.

Well if you're like that, listen up. You shouldn't give a hoot if the bloke next door disses your GameCube or makes fun of Mario Sunshine because it doesn't have the prettiest graphics. He clearly feels a bit insecure about his own gaming habits and so attempts to make himself look better by putting you down. Don't listen to him. Just go back inside and be thankful for what you've got and enjoy the games you own. Who cares if they're not pretty or aren't full of blood and gore? It's not any less geeky to play a game like GTA4 than say, Super Puzzle Bobble. Be proud of your console and don't be afraid to hide it, like your granny. (Only don't tell anyone, or you'll get beat up).

Thanks for reading, I know it was an effort : ).

-Mess
Thu 28/11/02 at 20:33
Regular
"keep your receipt"
Posts: 990
But is moving away from improving graphics and concentrating on online play going to improve the 'gamer' image? I know that most gamers will see the development of online play fantastic, but *impersonates fat comic book guy from The Simpsons* "internet gamers" are hated and reviled throughout the world. Well, my school. Which is why I am a secret internet gamer, mess by night, adam by day, defending both my social status and score on Counter-Strike at the same time. Huzzah!

Err...what was I talking about again? ; P
Thu 28/11/02 at 16:38
Regular
Posts: 9,848
Graphics matter less and less nowdays.

Gone are the PS1's giant pixels and the N64's blurry edges.

Ever since the Dreamcast, graphics have looked as good as you'd want. Infact, eye-popping graphics are becoming less impressive every time.

Personally, what impresses me more than pretty graphics, are scenes where LOADS of stuff is happening at once (again, it's down to a console's power). But even they get dull when they turn out to be scripted and predictable.

The next technically impressive "thing" I'm looking forward too is online gaming. It's not exactly a new thing, it's been around for ages on PC's, but with consoles it's becoming more efficient and easy to use.

Playing giant online wars against people from all around the world isn't too far away and should push gaming to new levels.


By the by, I think you got "great graphics" mixed up with "realism".
Realism does get boosted by great graphics but there are hundreds of unrealistic games with eye-popping visuals.

Kameo is looking fantastic!
Thu 28/11/02 at 16:26
Regular
"keep your receipt"
Posts: 990
...or are you? It seems to me that nowadays we don't know what we want. I could have sworn that ten years ago we were all going crazy over crappy-looking games like Sonic and Mario. Now I can't go too far back because my gaming 'career' didn't start until the Sega Master system, but I seem to remember wetting myself with excitement at the prospect of Sonic Adventures 2 - a game that as I look on it today, looks slightly absurd. But even though it looked a bit pants, we still loved it because it was the best we could get. Back then no-one expected CD-quality sound or bump mapping or any of this technical nonsense. But still in today's world these games wouldn't even see the light of day. It's like your granny - you're very happy to make her cups of tea at home and nick money from her purse, but how many of you can say you have NEVER denied her existence to your friends? Thought so.

Because although retro games like that might be all well and good stashed away in your 'naughty' drawer, today it seems we won't even go near a game unless it's eyeball-poppingly pretty. In fact we scoff at games today when the graphics are merely 'functional'. So by today's standards we don't expect anything less than better than average. What's the deal with that!? What's wrong with just playing a game where you can see what's going on and thats just it?

I think the answer is because you need to play pretty games because you have to justify you playing them. Sorry if I've got this wrong but I've never really thought to ask anyone about WHY they like pretty graphics, so I'm just guessing. Basically, the way I see it, when playing games you feel like a geek and so to justify you playing this game you need to boast that it's 'cool' because it looks nice. I mean, what's the deal with that?

It's the same with what console you have chosen or if your games are 'realistic' or not. If anyone (especially on SR Forums) makes fun of a game you like or the console you own, you yourself are emotionally hurt or upset. Its not that they're making fun of YOU personally, but you feel that the console or game you've chosen isn't 'cool' so you yourself are seen as a stupid geeky nerd.

Well if you're like that, listen up. You shouldn't give a hoot if the bloke next door disses your GameCube or makes fun of Mario Sunshine because it doesn't have the prettiest graphics. He clearly feels a bit insecure about his own gaming habits and so attempts to make himself look better by putting you down. Don't listen to him. Just go back inside and be thankful for what you've got and enjoy the games you own. Who cares if they're not pretty or aren't full of blood and gore? It's not any less geeky to play a game like GTA4 than say, Super Puzzle Bobble. Be proud of your console and don't be afraid to hide it, like your granny. (Only don't tell anyone, or you'll get beat up).

Thanks for reading, I know it was an effort : ).

-Mess

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