..while PC devs keep pushing it, because there is no limit in hardware.

And even then you may never know. Some games can last the test of time and be enjoyed without being the best looking game ever. Some games released in the last couple of years are fun but look like they were made for systems 2 generations ago.
Then there are other games that look FANTASTIC and that adds onto the fun factor because of the sense of realism that the players experience. I personally prefer my games to look amazing given the technology out there now, but that doesnt mean I won't play a game that looks abysmal compared to others if its fun. I like 2d sprite RPGs alot and I'm currently playing Lunar: Silver Star Harmony for the PSP because I remember how fun it was, but its nothing graphically special in any way. However, I'm excited as all hell for Killzone 3 because the level of graphics and animations in Killzone 2 really made me feel like I was in war like setting, and I can't wait to experience Helghan territory behind enemy lines.

It's not about whether or not players care about Graphics IMO. It's just a matter of whether or not the Graphics helps the players truly feel like they are a part of the game, or if the game has enough charm on its own to be fun but look like MEH.

This is all opinion tho, and many others will feel different.

A game with poor graphics can have stellar gameplay and vice versa.
It goes without saying that while grounbreaking visuals are great and often add to the experience,great gameplay always comes first.The real gems contain both but are a rare breed.

I care about graphics to an extent, I think we all do. Are they the most important thing about the game? Not to me, but to some people are...basically anyone who voted Uncharted 2 as game of the year last year. I've learned that, usually if a game LOOKS like game of the year, people will vote it as such. So just look at the game with the highest production values and it'll most likely win. I personally think a game's art style attracts me more to a game than the graphics themselves. Either way, graphics don't mean anything if the story and gameplay is bad. It's a combination of all things, hence why most reviewers break scores up into different categories outlining all the major features considered in rating a game.

I used to care a lot more in the past than I do now. I've matured as a gamer.

IMO graphics are important, and I know a lot of people think gameplay is everything, but most of the games that have amazing gameplay usually have amazing graphics too. if the developers are spending lots of time and effort on the graphics for their game, then they are going to have the same approach to every other aspect of the game.

I think that some games benefit greatly from eye-catching graphics. Mostly sim games, i.e anything trying to replicate real world visuals; sports, racing etc.

I guess with most games as long as the gameplay is good then it shouldn't really matter. I've never heard anyone say that a game is totally spoiled just because it doesn't have fantastic visuals.

All a matter of opinion, I'm sure there are people out there that dismiss games that aren't good to look at... I've never met one though.

We would still play Super Nintendo if gamers didn't care.

more than u think ..

Of course players care about graphics. Video games by their very nature are visual experiences. Now of course game play is more important than graphics, but graphics are still important nonetheless. The best developers find a way to have both.

80% gameplay
20% graphic (why do you think the Wii sold so much)

and Yes

More than simply 'graphics', I think a game's look needs identity.

Killzone 2 has good graphics; but in my opinion, it lacked identity. Can any gamer look at the gray buildings in the background and yell "That's Killzone!"

On the other hand, most people can immediately tell that a Halo environment is from a Halo game. Same for Gears. Same for Uncharted 2.

Look at M.A.G It has terrible graphics

graphics help games to be more believable, so good graphics are important IMO

If I buy an Full HD LCD would i care if the movies i watch are in SD?!! yes. I wouldn't wanna watch something that is inferior to what i have.

game play over graphics any day for me. Who cares if a crappy game looks good it is still a crappy game. Only newer gamers tend to care about graphics and trophies/achievements as the be all end all of gaming and games. Sometimes you get the best of both worlds like UC2 but they are very few and far apart maybe once or twice a gen.

Graphics are one of the top things gamers want good. Good graphics, story and gameplay help to immerse people in the game, with one of those 3 missing it can make a good game bad. Good graphics are important.

I would rather have average graphics and awesome gameplay than awesome graphics and rubbish gameplay. Dev's generally have to compromise with one or the other. Too many people focus on graphics.

Heck yea.... with todays consoles, poor graphics are do to shoddy developers...just look at game3 like UC2, ME.....

Graphics do matter....to the fanboy's who console has the edge in this manner.
Xbox1 fanboys preached how GRAPHICS MATTER...PS2 fanboys preached game play...
PS3 fanboys preach graphics and Xbox360 fanboys preach game play.
How ironic that things change.
Bookmark this page...Because if the Next console from MS or Nintendo is the powerhouse over Sony's, then you will be hearing from Sony fanboys how game play matters and not graphics and Nintendo and MS fanboys saying how graphics matter.
Its called HYPOCRISY from ALL fanboys.

Edit:

That all depends on the games.
The xbox1 had plenty of powerhouse graphic games with both.
Ninja Gaiden. Chronicles of Riddick. Halo 1-2. Splinter Cell Chaos Theory.Panzer Dragoon Orta. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Fable. Rainbow Six 3. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
All those games were great graphically for the time and had great game play.
My point is you will see the hypocrisy if things change

Yes they do, and sometimes it gets down to that being the deciding point if people buy a game or not. I used to work for a gamestore, and i would constantly get asked if games had good graphics or not, or if they were deciding on 2 or more games they would pick the one with the "best graphics." Its sad really.

Well i no PS3 fans do it's more about graphics then gameplay. Always bitching up a storm about graphics on the 360 sucks so that means the game will to.

Also don't mean to sound like a fanboy or anything it's just the truth.

wot a stupid title. if we didnt care why would we buy em,duh

Could i have graphics and good gameplay.Is it to much 2 ask 4??!!!

Hmm. Sounds like something that a developer a lil' insecure about their game's visuals would say.

Lots of devs create games with good gameplay AND good graphics and don't make excuses. What's wrong with giving the consumer more bang for their buck? Feel free to gimp Bulletstorm's graphics Adrian, just don't expect me to pay $59.99 brand new for yet another entry into the most overcrowded genre in gaming (FPS) if you have low production values.

I didn't buy a 52" HDTV and a $300 console just to play Doom & Wolfenstein on XBLA. People always say gameplay > graphics, but on the 360 & PS3, is it any coincidence that most games with a Metacritic of 85 & up are also pretty to look at and do it with 30fps instead of 60?

Graphics are a big part of games and are important whether players like it or not.

If they weren't important, we wouldn't see an progression in fidelity and realism, and new consoles wouldn't need to be made.

Gameplay always comes first but its the next generation so yes i would like to play a good looking game in 2010...

I think what should be said is that 'gamers care TOO much about graphics'. The amount of people that completely look over everything else in a game (story, gameplay,etc) and only focus on visuals is ridiculous. Then again it is the only thing fanboys can do to try and boast up exclusive games to their console since they haven't played them yet.

Just annoys me when games used to be about fun, not how visually stunning they were.... and most look great these days anyway.