yes graphics matter as long as the graphics arent the crap ones for games like halo then they are mostly ok.

Basically games that look like the ps3 exclusives or the games made by awesome 3rd party developers like rockstar, square enix, etc.

That crap graphics like crackdown, fable, halo needs to freaking stopped and needs to stopped getting hyped for real. Them games are freaking fugly last gen look crap.

Art style matters, realism not so much.

graphics matter, of course, i just wish it wasn't to the extent it is now. screenshot comparisons, demo/game comparisons, and pixel counting is getting ridiculous.

Graphics are nice but they are not everything. That is why I can play an older game like Suikoden, or an older Final Fantasy Game.

But would I expect a new game to have good graphics? Well yes... does it have to be Crysis-quality? Not really but it would be nice.

Graphics were very important till 2008, and then KZ2 came out and it turned out the PS3 with it poorly designed cell processor, inadequate RAM and weak GPU could push out graphics the 360 could only dream of - and so gameplay became more important than graphics.

Of course graphics matter - In many instances, quality visuals enhance the gameplay.
If they didn't matter, I'd still be playing my SNES.

Gameplay>Graphics

But this doesnt mean that graphics dont matter cause graphics can add to the immersion of a game. Its like playing Oblivion with 2D GFX it wouldnt give you the same feeling. Anyways most people when they buy a console they look at the best games that are out. And its usually visuals that win them over. I am just talking about your average buyer not a gamer who surfs the web looking up info of games. Of course what they buy has got to be what factors into their budget cause for example someone who only wants to spend 400€ isnt going to but a gamming PC for example

graphics are always important and im looking forward to the day they become 100% photo-realistic

Graphics are great and I love them but what really makes a game memorable for me is just how immersing it is and it's art style.

Graphics do matter, but most games now on PS3/360 are good.
To me the difference in multi-platform games graphics, eg, RDR,Mafia2, don't make any difference to me. Extra grass etc, don't make the game any less enjoyable on PS3 than 360. Differences like that are negligible to me.
Same with PC games. Playing in 1080p at 60+ fps, doesn't make the game (most games) any more enjoyable than playing at 720p at 30 fps. They still look (only a sleight difference) and play the same.

What are we talking about exactly? Graphics or design? I dont care about graphics, I dont care about'em being photo realistic, and that's a tendence that's actually worrying me . But I'm ok with design, give something like Okami or Katamari or Madworld or Muramasa, it doesnt matter if it's 480p. Bring me realistic people... and I'll go to the cinema and watch a kid's movie.

A graphic designer and illustrator's words.

Of course they matter. Bad graphics can break the immersion, good graphics can increase it. Seeing Mario Bros evolve from Mario 1-3 on the NES was a joy. Heck, going from Metal Gear on the MSX to the Playstation and XBox was mindblowing. As gameplay evolves, so must the presentation. What they've done with water, lighting and polygons over the years has been amazing.

NO. graphics don't matter for the XBox . that is you can't even compete with the PS3 and the PC is a different level .

for PS3 it always gets better over time ,so no need to worry about it ,no need to overdo it like GT5 and might turn out to be a disappointment like it,BUT it would also suck if gamese outdated graphics too :)

in other words it matters for KZ,GOW and MGS :P
and also uncharted but in a CG way

This gen now more than any other seems to have alot of emphasis on graphics. In part the fault of the console makers trying to justify the high cost of the machines and pointing out this spec and that spec. That leads of course to the devs getting in on it talking about their game engines, especially if they are in the business of selling it. Which then leads to fanboys from different consoles and games to claim there game is better because of something dumb like the resolution...O_o

Vidoe games have always been about game play. If the game sucks game play wise, it won't matter how good it looks, no one will buy it and care. When a game looks great but plays bad, it's no different than a tech demo. Having said that...

...graphics still play a big part of the fun. Crazy, over the top physics and explosions...big or small heavily detailed animations really help a player become immersed in the world he is entering.

I thought Resident evil 4 was one game that really broke thru many of the barriers and open the door for devs to make a game as interactive and cinematic as can be...If for some reason you missed this game it's a must to play...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

There have been many like Prince of Persia: sands of time, Half-life, Zelda...etc that have transported gamers to a different time and place. Recently, I've found the MW2 campaign, albeit some what short depending on playing ability and difficulty level, to be an action packed thrill ride into that genre...here's one of my favorite missions...takedown...hit the Hd option for best results...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Notice how the story and game play was interwoven in the sequence. From the opening scene, everything comes together. You are asked to get down, if you don't you die...lol...then all hell breaks loose and your asked to give chase, ALWAYS involved in whats happening. Your asked again to take down the enemy by shooting him in the legs. This triggers a short cut scene interlude where the a couple of the " good " guys are going to torture someone for intel ( in light of Prez bush )...you are asked to keep going. You run up a couple of stairs and a beautiful backdrop appears of Brazil, right above the slums no less and all sorts of madness ensues, including the need to shoot a couple of dogs. The level ends with a cut scene cinematic when you have capture the enemy...Wow...many games would of had numerous cut scenes scatter through out that level, ruining the fast paced action and incredible gun play. The game also feature many greats environments and locations with fantastic game play and graphics with a genre leading 60 fps for the quick game play. Not the most politically correct game out there but definitely one of the best.

Soooo...it's a combination of great graphics, game play and story that will bring out the buying public. MW2 is one of the top selling games this gen...on all platforms for this reason...haters aside.

PC has the best graphics around ,so good that it is pretty much next gen compared to consoles PC will always be a step ahead just like it was last gen.graphics do matter but gameplay matters more if i didn't game on both PC and PS3 i would of missed out on some great games.

Really why is it that people still brings this up?

Every aspect of a game is important.
Its not like a game cant have a fair share of everything.
Graphics is very important, just like Story, gameplay, design and Polish.

@Nicaragua
Well said.

Now I have a question.
Why do people keep buying broken games like
Black ops?
way more important.

movies like blair witch project and paranormal activity used limited resources and technology out of budget restraints. So the camera's, the style and everything about those films reflect that limitation.

companies like nintendo have only limited the technology in the wii an alike because they are tight fisted. they can afford to develop cutting edge technology, but instead they go for profit.

the wiis graphics dont suck because nintendo are strapped for cash, or they want to give us games with an old skool feel, they suck because nintendo are greedy!

Just wanted to tell everyone that I appreciate the comments and discussions. For those of you who actually read my article, you'll see that I actually point out that while gameplay is still the most important factor in a game, we're going through a period where graphics are indeed very important. For the spammer that commented above me, your weak comment with foul language and poor grammar (did you go to school there, sonny?) has been reported. If today's graphics were equal in quality to your grammar, we'd still be in the Atari generation.

-David

How can this article say that the Wii has lost a "Sizable chunk" of fans for its lack of HD.
correct me if I'm wrong, but 80+ million is higher than the Gamecubes 21 million right?
How have they "Lost" anything. You guys can scream new audience all you want, but its still gaining, and I know several people who went from PS2 to Wii and even from XBox to Wii.

Well if you look at the market its easy to see they do not to the average consumer. Systems with inferior specs like PS3/360/Wii/PSP/DS are all selling yet they do not compare to a PC.
People who say they matter yet play on outdated tech are just fanboys trying to justify their purchase.

Graphios are some what important, but no where near as important as gameplay.

I remember playing Crysis on my PC on MAX settings. The game looked gorgeous, but after I got over how nice it looked (about 30 minutes), I got bored with the gameplay.

Ive played graphically inferior games like Just Cause 2 and had much more fun with that.

- A game with amazing graphics, but crap gameplay, will still suck in the end.

- A game with amazing gameplay, but average graphics, will still be absolutely fun to play.

People who think otherwise, are just trying to justify their purchase.

Amazing visuals along with great gameplay is a good game.

Anyways, some gamers (a majority) always want better and better graphics. Well sorry to burst ur bubble but Xbox 360 and PS3 have limitations which hold back the games graphics. Ah only if it was possible that every dev would use 100% of the console's power than we'd see some really amazing visuals and great gameplay also meaning dont have to give up great graphics for gameplay or vice versa.

when you paying a 60 dollar value game you expect high quality game and graphic is a factor in a true gamer.