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Are photorealistic graphics killing creativity?

As triple-A titles accelerate towards a disturbing level of photorealism, we’ve seen a resurgence in retro-styled and cel-shaded games. Why are more and more developers so keen to move against the realistic grain?

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gamestm.co.uk
Taislin4495d ago (Edited 4495d ago )

I don´t think striving for life like graphics diminishes creativity. I think it even forces the developers to create a unique aesthetic so that they differentiate themselves from other games. Look at Infamous, it looks preety good, but I recognise it the minute I see it, same with Destiny and the Order, or FFXV for that matter. Lifelike graphics may be applied to otherwordly situations, and might even bolster the imersion in a world that would be completely detached from ours.

thekhurg4495d ago

Publishers forcing developers to release sequels every year is killing creativity.

mewhy324495d ago

Well I can't totally agree that sequels are killing creativity.

But on the subject of photorealistic graphics...I say that if the machine can achieve photo realistic graphics then that just gives the devs another venue to express their creativity. They don't have to make everything look 'REAL' they can still go with the fantastic if they wish or they can to with the 'REAL' look and create something that looks 'REAL' but doesn't exist yet. Taking us to places that we may never go or that don't even exist but looking like they do.

erathaol4495d ago

“The absence of limitations is the enemy of art.”

― Orson Welles

UnwanteDreamz4495d ago

Nice quote but do you know what it means? Artists are supposed to identify their limits then surpass them.

starchild4495d ago

There is plenty of creativity in the industry today. There is more diversity in the kinds of games being created than ever before.

People just like to get nostalgic and talk like old men. "yeah, I remember back when games used to be good..."

Nah, I'd take today's games over those games from the past any day.

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Edsword4495d ago

I think the emphasis on M rated games for adults hurts creativity. I remember the days of N64 and PS1 when games like crash bandicoot and starfox came out. The whole family could enjoy them and they were downright good games. I'm not against adult oriented games, but I would like to see games that are for the whole family again.

TheVideoGamHer4495d ago

Even though Infamous looks great and has a somewhat realistic design, you can still tell it's a video game. It's still very stylized.

3-4-54495d ago

Look back at the last 15 years in video games.

How many of those "realistic" games actually look realistic now ?

NONE

Why?

Because they lack a unique and distince Art STyle that sets them apart.

Any game trying to lok real, 3-4 years from now, won't.

Any game trying to go for a specific art style, will almost always look good years later.

Gamecube Windwake still looks amazing.

Super Mario World SNES still looks appealing all these years later. Same with a ton of GBA games.

COD ghosts will look like crap eventually, but Borderlands 2 and other "celshaded" type games will look good for years because their art style is nice to look at and it's colorful.

Patrick_pk444495d ago

I miss the age of creativity. Today developers strive to make a games photorealistic, which isn't absolutely a bad idea, but it is being shoved down our throats. I myself am looking forward to Uncharted, The Order 1886, and Infamous Second Son. But remember the days of Crash Bandicoot, Rachet and Clank, and Spyro? Those were far from photorealistic and creative, AND fun. I just want a mix.

johny54495d ago

There still there if you want to play them!

A matter of fact there still coming out with games for Rachet and Clank and Spyro!

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ABizzel14495d ago

Graphics have little effect on creativity, People do. If your game doesn't focus on improved / unique mechanics, new story ideas for the medium, etc... then that's a lack of creativity from the developer, not graphics.

The only time graphics takes away from creativity is if the hardware isn't capable of performing the task needed for a something in-game, because the graphics are taking too much processing power, which I don't think most devs. would stand for.

CrossingEden4495d ago

Compare stylized games like wind waker or team fortress to skyrim or Twilight princess to see whether nor not photorealism helps in the end. Wind Waker is ten years old and even the normal version looks better than plenty of games that come out today.

gamesTM_dom4495d ago

Completely agree with you. There's a lot to be said for keeping the idea of the 'cartoon' alive in games. Tarantino does it in cinema to great effect, too; Django isn't supposed to be realistic, it's a cartoon and therefore can get away with things 'real' or 'grounded' films can't.

Titles like Borderlands or anything by SUDA-51 do the same for games - it's all about having a variety of aesthetics to cater for every gamers tase. Or something.

BlackCarrot4495d ago

Even in the old days, some games attempted to look as realistic as possible while others embraced a different artwork.

Not all games strive towards photorealism, and most who seek to buck the trend tend to reap the rewards ala Minecraft and Borderlands.

Jovanian 4495d ago

Lets worry about that when games are actually near photo realism. Very few next gen games actually look good. And if they look good, there are huge sacrifices to performance or resolution to obtain it

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80°

Playstation Plus Monthly Games for May: EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Nine Sols

All available May 5.

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blog.playstation.com
FPSRUSSIA34d ago

What's Point in commenting your basicly closing down the site.

LiViNgLeGaCY34d ago

I'm surprised it's still the old site. I thought he said starting today?

Eonjay34d ago

Its like the final episode of the Sapranos. You gonna go to make a comment and when you click add th-

Profchaos33d ago

Timezone thing maybe.... RIP

darthv7234d ago

Insert the Ferris Bueller end scene... "You're still here? It's over.."

LiViNgLeGaCY34d ago

I think the only game here for me is Nine Sols. Was always interested in that game.

TheColbertinator34d ago

Glad I don't buy FIFA games anymore

Rebel_Scum34d ago

Hey now! Thats a great month.

Nacho_Z34d ago

Good month for me, I wanted that particular footy game and thought it might be due. Anyway who cares, shame about the site I'll miss the comment sections. All the best everyone.

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70°

Naughty Dog Was Reportedly Divided On Joel's Controversial Fate During Development Of TLOU Part 2

Naughty Dog was reportedly divided on the controversial fate of Joel in The Last of Us Part 2 during the game's development.

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twistedvoxel.com
SimpleDad34d ago

NO, that can't be... No! I can't... Really?/s

Cacabunga34d ago

They for sure chose the worst way to deal with it

-Foxtrot33d ago

Funny considering Bruce left half way through development and now we get told there was an internal conflict with the story direction.

Makes you think…

HectixRose34d ago

I think it was good decision, if he was still alive, he would have been a mascot just like Kratos, drake and many others. These old dudes gotta die for new characters to take center stage with their own storyline. They keep dragging the emotional baggage into many sequels and eventually the story just turns into absolute shit show.

JEECE34d ago

It was ironic because people complained heavily about the story in the Uncharted games not having sufficient stakes because all the key characters always survived, despite the dangerous situations they were always in. Then ND killed a character in a more serious series and everyone lost their minds. Just shows that people don't always really want the thing they say they want.

CantThinkOfAUsername33d ago

I thought the more common complaint about Uncharted franchise was how the main cast are the good guys acting so nonchalantly while killing hundreds in cold blood (aka the dissonance between gameplay and story cutscenes). They just did it again in Part II.

Soy34d ago

Didn't have to kill him. Just have them part ways or Joel can "retire," whatever.

DarXyde34d ago

I don't think he would necessarily need to become a mascot (and besides, technically, I'd say Ellie is... So regardless, someone was going to be).

From a narrative perspective, I do think it has a similar effect to Ricky dying in Boyz N Da Hood: very likeable character, and you're really motivated to see the get back—in this case, it's more intense because it's an interactive experience. Most people hated Abby, but I get what they were after with portraying the cycle of violence and revenge—unfortunately, the game appears to want to take the side of the bad people.

But I will say that if Joel survived, it does become harder to tell an interesting story. What COULD have happened is an exploration into the rift between Joel and Ellie after the trolley dilemma events of the first game. It could have been interesting to see Abby out for revenge at the same time Ellie hated Joel.

Ashunderfire8634d ago

Sorry just had to say this lol! RICKYYYY!

Man Cuba Gooding Jr was miscast in that movie, but that part was cringey it was sad and funny at the same time man.

Ashunderfire8634d ago (Edited 34d ago )

I understand but the way they went about killing Joel, was poorly executed. Even the show of the Last of Us games tried to improved it, but it was just as bad. Well at least Joel got to know the reason why he had to die, before the death happened in the show. That part gave us the full context, but the game just let it happen with no pay off.

Joel death should have been a midway thing through the story, so we at least get to play him a little more with Ellie. Abby didn’t need to be this Hulk looking woman, but more like the show Abby which is a beater idea in my opinion.

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InUrFoxHole34d ago

The only ND game that was so disappointing to me I couldn't finish it.

pwnmaster300034d ago

Honestly as much as I loved the game, they could have just not killed him off.
I get it creator vision and all but killing a character that made you millions is just wrong imo. At least have him go down fighting.

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60°

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Website Launches With New Nomura Artwork and Merchandise

Square Enix launches Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary site, revealing new Nomura art, books, music releases, and merchandise.

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twistedvoxel.com
-Foxtrot34d ago

Look I know VIII has its issues and all that but how on earth can the do big anniversary events with new artwork and merchandise for VII, IX and X yet VIII got sweet f*** all.

They could have given it something during its 25th anniversary yet all it got was a single Happy Anniversary post on their social media.

solideagle34d ago

they should know that we are OG fans of VIII as it sold truckload as well. not as much as VII or X. I personally didn't like IX but X and VI are my personal fav.

Shadow Hearts 2 covenant is another game I love. I hope one day someone can make remake, I would be delighted

Relientk7734d ago

Final Fantasy VIII is great and you are always the first to defend it in the comments