WoW WotLK. Why? Because art trumps technology every time. If you ignore artstyle as a part of graphics and focus exclusively on technology, then its a close race btween AoC and LotrO.
I'm not sure how a segmented claustrophobic world trumps a seamless flowing world technology wise. All AoC has is a high polygon count. IT IS NOT technologically advanced graphics wise. I can't speak for LotrO because I have never played it but AoC is a Neanderthal. You may like its art or not but the technology is way old. Funcom even said it used an updated AOL engine.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
You made your point there didn't you, LOL! I guess that passes for a response these days.
I agree that AoC has the most demanding graphics. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I like it the most - everything looked "glossy". I still like the graphics (and art style) in SotNW the most, but it's nowhere near as high-tech.
WoW WotLK. Why? Because art trumps technology every time. If you ignore artstyle as a part of graphics and focus exclusively on technology, then its a close race btween AoC and LotrO.
I'm not sure how a segmented claustrophobic world trumps a seamless flowing world technology wise. All AoC has is a high polygon count. IT IS NOT technologically advanced graphics wise. I can't speak for LotrO because I have never played it but AoC is a Neanderthal. You may like its art or not but the technology is way old. Funcom even said it used an updated AOL engine.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
You made your point there didn't you, LOL! I guess that passes for a response these days.
Its self evedent.
---------- "Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
You made your point there didn't you, LOL! I guess that passes for a response these days.
Its self evedent.
"Self" meaning you. If you think I'm full if sh*t tell me why. I haven't programmed DX10 but I have programmed in DX9 and OpenGL so I know a bit about this stuff . I see nothing that impressive about AoCs graphics. The promos look a lot better than the actual game play. Even a lot of the animation isn't that good. Melee looks like you are fighting on ice. Some of the models have a lot of polygons (which you pay for in performance) and they use SpeedTree (more polygons) which looks OK. If you like the raw graphics great, but the game engine does not handle LOD and dynamic loading well so the environment feels claustrophobic. But hey ... if you know so much make your point, else you might want to STFU.
You made your point there didn't you, LOL! I guess that passes for a response these days.
Its self evedent.
"Self" meaning you. If you think I'm full if sh*t tell me why. I haven't programmed DX10 but I have programmed in DX9 and OpenGL so I know a bit about this stuff . I see nothing that impressive about AoCs graphics. The promos look a lot better than the actual game play. Even a lot of the animation isn't that good. Melee looks like you are fighting on ice. Some of the models have a lot of polygons (which you pay for in performance) and they use SpeedTree (more polygons) which looks OK. If you like the raw graphics great, but the game engine does not handle LOD and dynamic loading well so the environment feels claustrophobic. But hey ... if you know so much make your point, else you might want to STFU.
Nothing you said in your original post is even close to correct, in any way, means, or form. The rest is subjective crap.
There is not a more modern MMO engine in use today as far as modern rendering features and techniques.
---------- "Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
Age of Conan, Lord of the Rings Online, and EVE Online.
Of course each has some weaknesses as well (AoC facial models are pretty butt ugly... poor Hyborians!), (LotRO NPC's aren't particularly well detailed), (EVE solar systems all start to look alike after awhile, with only slight variations in coloring).
Also, although the graphics aren't necessarily very "impressive" from a polygon-count perspective, I have to admit that the overall theme/character of WoW starts to grow on you... at first I couldn't stand the graphics, but after 20+ levels I got used to the cartoon'ish look of the world, and then actually started to appreciate it it's style.
If I had to pick one though... I'd go with Age of Conan.
Nothing you said in your original post is even close to correct, in any way, means, or form. The rest is subjective crap.
There is not a more modern MMO engine in use today as far as modern rendering features and techniques.
LOL, As I thought, you are simply a BS artist. You know nothing and therefore you can't say anything but to say I'm wrong. A modern MMO engine implements a seamless world. The whole idea of an MMO is immersion. World level instancing and numerous hard zone boundaries should be a thing of the past because they are negatives to immersion. But since AoC is a thing of the past I guess that fits. The only excuse for this is lazy programming and a small world size. AoC has gone down hill since launch after players figured out what it was. That's reality. But don't let reality get in you way. Just keep posting garbage. I'm sure you will.
Nothing you said in your original post is even close to correct, in any way, means, or form. The rest is subjective crap.
There is not a more modern MMO engine in use today as far as modern rendering features and techniques.
LOL, As I thought, you are simply a BS artist. You know nothing and therefore you can't say anything but to say I'm wrong. A modern MMO engine implements a seamless world. The whole idea of an MMO is immersion. World level instancing and numerous hard zone boundaries should be a thing of the past because they are negatives to immersion. But since AoC is a thing of the past I guess that fits. The only excuse for this is lazy programming and a small world size. AoC has gone down hill since launch after players figured out what it was. That's reality. But don't let reality get in you way. Just keep posting garbage. I'm sure you will.
I am talking about rendering engine capabilities and techniques used, you are talking about game level (I do not mean world/level design, just in case you are not familiar with the term) design/application level concepts.
Again, you don't know what you are talking about.
---------- "Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
Nothing you said in your original post is even close to correct, in any way, means, or form. The rest is subjective crap.
There is not a more modern MMO engine in use today as far as modern rendering features and techniques.
LOL, As I thought, you are simply a BS artist. You know nothing and therefore you can't say anything but to say I'm wrong. A modern MMO engine implements a seamless world. The whole idea of an MMO is immersion. World level instancing and numerous hard zone boundaries should be a thing of the past because they are negatives to immersion. But since AoC is a thing of the past I guess that fits. The only excuse for this is lazy programming and a small world size. AoC has gone down hill since launch after players figured out what it was. That's reality. But don't let reality get in you way. Just keep posting garbage. I'm sure you will.
I am talking about rendering engine capabilities and techniques used, you are talking about game level (I do not mean world/level design, just in case you are not familiar with the term) design/application level concepts.
Again, you don't know what you are talking about.
No you clearly you don't have a clue. The graphics engine has a huge effect on the world design becuase you have to implement dynamic loading to support a seamless world. That's why AoC is chopped up and has hard zone boundaries. It has everything to do with the graphics engine as well as the server model. You can't isolate one from the other. There is also an issue of precision on the graphics card and Z-fighting when you have to support a really large world. Do some reading or better yet some programming before making stupid claims.
Originally posted by Zorndorf The cartoon look makes it far more attractive in the aging department.
You think WoW graphics have aged well? LOL! Blocky, deformed character models with painted-on spandex suit armor might've looked good back in 1995, but this is 2008.
WoW character models are garbage. They looked horrible back in WoW's launch and keep looking worse and worse as time goes on. They don't age well one bit.
Oh and as for the art-style (which gets way more praise than it deserves), it doesn't look good either. Unless you're one of those weirdos who thinks overly-muscular, jacked up idiots with He-Man style contorted faces are "cool".
Originally posted by Zorndorf The cartoon look makes it far more attractive in the aging department.
You think WoW graphics have aged well? LOL! Blocky, deformed character models with painted-on spandex suit armor might've looked good back in 1995, but this is 2008.
WoW character models are garbage. They looked horrible back in WoW's launch and keep looking worse and worse as time goes on. They don't age well one bit.
Graphics don't have to be about how technically advanced it is. Wow has a very pleasing aesthetic and feel. In my opinion it exceeds many technical advanced games.
Anyway, Wow has something way better than "omg-super-awesome" graphics. It's fun. I really don't care if they ever update the graphics in Wow. They did add more realistic shadows and higher resolution textures in wrath of the lichking though.
There's a lot of talk in the Darkfall forum that this game - out in Jan 2009 - seems to have graphics optimised for FPS and are therefore not as rich or as detailed as other 'next generation' MMOs. Whether this is true or not, please could you list which MMO - either current or just over the horizon - you think has the best graphics? And, of available, either a screenshot or two or else a link? Thanks.
No question it is Vanguard,however Earthrise looks real good,so they could be the next in line.
I am not sure about who said optimized for a FPS=weaker graphics,since unreal tournament probably sets the standard.
I guess it doesn't really matter of the engine ,it matters more on the detail of the player models,the physics capabilities of the engine and detail of the textures.
I am sure there is a few games utilizing the facial expressions and things like that,but you need more than that to be on top.The whole world has to show detail,everything from realistic wood to realistic looking cloth.The view distance needs to be vast to enjoy it,and how it is rendered can also improve or hurt the graphics.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
Originally posted by Zorndorf The cartoon look makes it far more attractive in the aging department.
You think WoW graphics have aged well? LOL! Blocky, deformed character models with painted-on spandex suit armor might've looked good back in 1995, but this is 2008.
WoW character models are garbage. They looked horrible back in WoW's launch and keep looking worse and worse as time goes on. They don't age well one bit.
Graphics don't have to be about how technically advanced it is. Wow has a very pleasing aesthetic and feel. In my opinion it exceeds many technical advanced games.
Anyway, Wow has something way better than "omg-super-awesome" graphics. It's fun. I really don't care if they ever update the graphics in Wow. They did add more realistic shadows and higher resolution textures in wrath of the lichking though.
They can improve the ice and fire effects all they want, it doesn't impress me one bit, and it's not going to convince me to ever re-subscribe. It's the character models that badly need a face-lift. I'm not saying the game needs to look realistic, but it also doesn't need to look ugly. And is the whole "not-realistic" style supposed to excuse them from not having any sort of robe/dress physics in the game? Or how about the fact that hair and hats seem to be unable to co-exist in the game (I can't even wear a simple hat without my character's hair disappearing?).
Note all the gameplay is "prototype" And is not even an alpha build!
Yeah, I've seen it before. Looks pretty cool! I think its real time fractal based. I was unclear if they planned to make a first/third person MMO with it or if it was always going to be ship based.
In my opinion, we do not pretty much trouble ourselves with what MMO has the best graphics per se. But we should look past that and see what really matters. For me, even if the game is graphically stunning and perfect but fails in game play or just another typical MMOs out there, then that superiority in graphics goes away. I'm playing this new F2P MMO called Atlantica Online. I find the game really interesting since there are many innovations in MMO genre that this game introduced. For one is the turn-based battle system which makes players more participative than ever. Try checking this game out.
Graphics don't have to be about how technically advanced it is. Wow has a very pleasing aesthetic and feel. In my opinion it exceeds many technical advanced games. Anyway, Wow has something way better than "omg-super-awesome" graphics. It's fun. I really don't care if they ever update the graphics in Wow. They did add more realistic shadows and higher resolution textures in wrath of the lichking though.
Fun have nothing to do with this thread at all. It had nice graphics at it's release but that was almost 5 years ago.
But post a screenshot at it and we will try to top it with another one, that was was the OP of the thread originally said. That do prove more than any flaming ever will.
None, as it should be instead of wasting time making shiny graphics put that into content for the game so there is actually something to do sides Fed-Ex Missions......
Originally posted by Zorndorf The cartoon look makes it far more attractive in the aging department.
You think WoW graphics have aged well? LOL! Blocky, deformed character models with painted-on spandex suit armor might've looked good back in 1995, but this is 2008.
WoW character models are garbage. They looked horrible back in WoW's launch and keep looking worse and worse as time goes on. They don't age well one bit.
Graphics don't have to be about how technically advanced it is. Wow has a very pleasing aesthetic and feel. In my opinion it exceeds many technical advanced games.
Anyway, Wow has something way better than "omg-super-awesome" graphics. It's fun. I really don't care if they ever update the graphics in Wow. They did add more realistic shadows and higher resolution textures in wrath of the lichking though.
They can improve the ice and fire effects all they want, it doesn't impress me one bit, and it's not going to convince me to ever re-subscribe. It's the character models that badly need a face-lift. I'm not saying the game needs to look realistic, but it also doesn't need to look ugly. And is the whole "not-realistic" style supposed to excuse them from not having any sort of robe/dress physics in the game? Or how about the fact that hair and hats seem to be unable to co-exist in the game (I can't even wear a simple hat without my character's hair disappearing?).
For me, wow has never been about the graphics that much. I'd rather play a game that is fun, than great looking. Maybe why I never got hooked on AoC which is only graphics and no substance. Graphics matter of course, but not as much as gameplay and the snowy landscapes of northrend still do it for me.
You didn't specify that it had to be an MMORPG, therefore, my vote goes to Crysis.
On that note, AoC is easily the most graphic heavy mmo currently released (although Mortal Online and Blade&Soul should give it a run for it's money)
It's almost 2010, and I am just not wiling to tolerate clunky graphics while being told that "gameplay is more important than graphics". That excuse won't wash with me any more. I expect my games to have both good graphics and good gameplay. -Quote Isoke(VN boards)
Lord of the Rings Online Hands Down has the best mmo graphics I have ever seen.I have played Eve,EQ2,SWG,WOW,and I have seen AOC on a friends PC and none came close to looking as good as Lorts did.
Comments
I'm not sure how a segmented claustrophobic world trumps a seamless flowing world technology wise. All AoC has is a high polygon count. IT IS NOT technologically advanced graphics wise. I can't speak for LotrO because I have never played it but AoC is a Neanderthal. You may like its art or not but the technology is way old. Funcom even said it used an updated AOL engine.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
You made your point there didn't you, LOL! I guess that passes for a response these days.
I'd say EVE and AOC.
Played : WOW, LOTRO, COH/COV, EQ2, SWG, and WAR.
Playing EVE Online and AOC.
Wtg for SW:TOR and WOD
I agree that AoC has the most demanding graphics. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I like it the most - everything looked "glossy". I still like the graphics (and art style) in SotNW the most, but it's nowhere near as high-tech.
I'm not sure how a segmented claustrophobic world trumps a seamless flowing world technology wise. All AoC has is a high polygon count. IT IS NOT technologically advanced graphics wise. I can't speak for LotrO because I have never played it but AoC is a Neanderthal. You may like its art or not but the technology is way old. Funcom even said it used an updated AOL engine.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
You made your point there didn't you, LOL! I guess that passes for a response these days.
Its self evedent.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
You made your point there didn't you, LOL! I guess that passes for a response these days.
Its self evedent.
"Self" meaning you. If you think I'm full if sh*t tell me why. I haven't programmed DX10 but I have programmed in DX9 and OpenGL so I know a bit about this stuff . I see nothing that impressive about AoCs graphics. The promos look a lot better than the actual game play. Even a lot of the animation isn't that good. Melee looks like you are fighting on ice. Some of the models have a lot of polygons (which you pay for in performance) and they use SpeedTree (more polygons) which looks OK. If you like the raw graphics great, but the game engine does not handle LOD and dynamic loading well so the environment feels claustrophobic. But hey ... if you know so much make your point, else you might want to STFU.
You made your point there didn't you, LOL! I guess that passes for a response these days.
Its self evedent.
"Self" meaning you. If you think I'm full if sh*t tell me why. I haven't programmed DX10 but I have programmed in DX9 and OpenGL so I know a bit about this stuff . I see nothing that impressive about AoCs graphics. The promos look a lot better than the actual game play. Even a lot of the animation isn't that good. Melee looks like you are fighting on ice. Some of the models have a lot of polygons (which you pay for in performance) and they use SpeedTree (more polygons) which looks OK. If you like the raw graphics great, but the game engine does not handle LOD and dynamic loading well so the environment feels claustrophobic. But hey ... if you know so much make your point, else you might want to STFU.
Nothing you said in your original post is even close to correct, in any way, means, or form. The rest is subjective crap.
There is not a more modern MMO engine in use today as far as modern rendering features and techniques.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
Age of Conan, Lord of the Rings Online, and EVE Online.
Of course each has some weaknesses as well (AoC facial models are pretty butt ugly... poor Hyborians!), (LotRO NPC's aren't particularly well detailed), (EVE solar systems all start to look alike after awhile, with only slight variations in coloring).
Also, although the graphics aren't necessarily very "impressive" from a polygon-count perspective, I have to admit that the overall theme/character of WoW starts to grow on you... at first I couldn't stand the graphics, but after 20+ levels I got used to the cartoon'ish look of the world, and then actually started to appreciate it it's style.
If I had to pick one though... I'd go with Age of Conan.
LOL, As I thought, you are simply a BS artist. You know nothing and therefore you can't say anything but to say I'm wrong. A modern MMO engine implements a seamless world. The whole idea of an MMO is immersion. World level instancing and numerous hard zone boundaries should be a thing of the past because they are negatives to immersion. But since AoC is a thing of the past I guess that fits. The only excuse for this is lazy programming and a small world size. AoC has gone down hill since launch after players figured out what it was. That's reality. But don't let reality get in you way. Just keep posting garbage. I'm sure you will.
LOL, As I thought, you are simply a BS artist. You know nothing and therefore you can't say anything but to say I'm wrong. A modern MMO engine implements a seamless world. The whole idea of an MMO is immersion. World level instancing and numerous hard zone boundaries should be a thing of the past because they are negatives to immersion. But since AoC is a thing of the past I guess that fits. The only excuse for this is lazy programming and a small world size. AoC has gone down hill since launch after players figured out what it was. That's reality. But don't let reality get in you way. Just keep posting garbage. I'm sure you will.
I am talking about rendering engine capabilities and techniques used, you are talking about game level (I do not mean world/level design, just in case you are not familiar with the term) design/application level concepts.
Again, you don't know what you are talking about.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
LOL, As I thought, you are simply a BS artist. You know nothing and therefore you can't say anything but to say I'm wrong. A modern MMO engine implements a seamless world. The whole idea of an MMO is immersion. World level instancing and numerous hard zone boundaries should be a thing of the past because they are negatives to immersion. But since AoC is a thing of the past I guess that fits. The only excuse for this is lazy programming and a small world size. AoC has gone down hill since launch after players figured out what it was. That's reality. But don't let reality get in you way. Just keep posting garbage. I'm sure you will.
I am talking about rendering engine capabilities and techniques used, you are talking about game level (I do not mean world/level design, just in case you are not familiar with the term) design/application level concepts.
Again, you don't know what you are talking about.
No you clearly you don't have a clue. The graphics engine has a huge effect on the world design becuase you have to implement dynamic loading to support a seamless world. That's why AoC is chopped up and has hard zone boundaries. It has everything to do with the graphics engine as well as the server model. You can't isolate one from the other. There is also an issue of precision on the graphics card and Z-fighting when you have to support a really large world. Do some reading or better yet some programming before making stupid claims.
You think WoW graphics have aged well? LOL! Blocky, deformed character models with painted-on spandex suit armor might've looked good back in 1995, but this is 2008.
WoW character models are garbage. They looked horrible back in WoW's launch and keep looking worse and worse as time goes on. They don't age well one bit.
Oh and as for the art-style (which gets way more praise than it deserves), it doesn't look good either. Unless you're one of those weirdos who thinks overly-muscular, jacked up idiots with He-Man style contorted faces are "cool".
If you guys want to see the most graphically intese and amazing looking MMO in development currently. Check out (Infininity the quest for earth)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgLDD-DeLUI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwBNePXrUgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOxFvRy3KdQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2HwIVvQlMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKBri1pMKfg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8IOkkixwpo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnSUrC1Eiow&feature=related
Note all the gameplay is "prototype" And is not even an alpha build!
You think WoW graphics have aged well? LOL! Blocky, deformed character models with painted-on spandex suit armor might've looked good back in 1995, but this is 2008.
WoW character models are garbage. They looked horrible back in WoW's launch and keep looking worse and worse as time goes on. They don't age well one bit.
Graphics don't have to be about how technically advanced it is. Wow has a very pleasing aesthetic and feel. In my opinion it exceeds many technical advanced games.
Anyway, Wow has something way better than "omg-super-awesome" graphics. It's fun. I really don't care if they ever update the graphics in Wow. They did add more realistic shadows and higher resolution textures in wrath of the lichking though.
No question it is Vanguard,however Earthrise looks real good,so they could be the next in line.
I am not sure about who said optimized for a FPS=weaker graphics,since unreal tournament probably sets the standard.
I guess it doesn't really matter of the engine ,it matters more on the detail of the player models,the physics capabilities of the engine and detail of the textures.
I am sure there is a few games utilizing the facial expressions and things like that,but you need more than that to be on top.The whole world has to show detail,everything from realistic wood to realistic looking cloth.The view distance needs to be vast to enjoy it,and how it is rendered can also improve or hurt the graphics.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
You think WoW graphics have aged well? LOL! Blocky, deformed character models with painted-on spandex suit armor might've looked good back in 1995, but this is 2008.
WoW character models are garbage. They looked horrible back in WoW's launch and keep looking worse and worse as time goes on. They don't age well one bit.
Graphics don't have to be about how technically advanced it is. Wow has a very pleasing aesthetic and feel. In my opinion it exceeds many technical advanced games.
Anyway, Wow has something way better than "omg-super-awesome" graphics. It's fun. I really don't care if they ever update the graphics in Wow. They did add more realistic shadows and higher resolution textures in wrath of the lichking though.
They can improve the ice and fire effects all they want, it doesn't impress me one bit, and it's not going to convince me to ever re-subscribe. It's the character models that badly need a face-lift. I'm not saying the game needs to look realistic, but it also doesn't need to look ugly. And is the whole "not-realistic" style supposed to excuse them from not having any sort of robe/dress physics in the game? Or how about the fact that hair and hats seem to be unable to co-exist in the game (I can't even wear a simple hat without my character's hair disappearing?).
Yeah, I've seen it before. Looks pretty cool! I think its real time fractal based. I was unclear if they planned to make a first/third person MMO with it or if it was always going to be ship based.
Granado Espada.
In my opinion, we do not pretty much trouble ourselves with what MMO has the best graphics per se. But we should look past that and see what really matters. For me, even if the game is graphically stunning and perfect but fails in game play or just another typical MMOs out there, then that superiority in graphics goes away. I'm playing this new F2P MMO called Atlantica Online. I find the game really interesting since there are many innovations in MMO genre that this game introduced. For one is the turn-based battle system which makes players more participative than ever. Try checking this game out.
I think LoTR had the "best" graphics, some of their areas were stunning, but more importantly, they has atmosphere.
I would put WAR up there because of the Witch Elves, its a shame most of them are blokes. Although that screen shot from AoC was hot
Fun have nothing to do with this thread at all. It had nice graphics at it's release but that was almost 5 years ago.
But post a screenshot at it and we will try to top it with another one, that was was the OP of the thread originally said. That do prove more than any flaming ever will.
None, as it should be instead of wasting time making shiny graphics put that into content for the game so there is actually something to do sides Fed-Ex Missions......
You think WoW graphics have aged well? LOL! Blocky, deformed character models with painted-on spandex suit armor might've looked good back in 1995, but this is 2008.
WoW character models are garbage. They looked horrible back in WoW's launch and keep looking worse and worse as time goes on. They don't age well one bit.
Graphics don't have to be about how technically advanced it is. Wow has a very pleasing aesthetic and feel. In my opinion it exceeds many technical advanced games.
Anyway, Wow has something way better than "omg-super-awesome" graphics. It's fun. I really don't care if they ever update the graphics in Wow. They did add more realistic shadows and higher resolution textures in wrath of the lichking though.
They can improve the ice and fire effects all they want, it doesn't impress me one bit, and it's not going to convince me to ever re-subscribe. It's the character models that badly need a face-lift. I'm not saying the game needs to look realistic, but it also doesn't need to look ugly. And is the whole "not-realistic" style supposed to excuse them from not having any sort of robe/dress physics in the game? Or how about the fact that hair and hats seem to be unable to co-exist in the game (I can't even wear a simple hat without my character's hair disappearing?).
For me, wow has never been about the graphics that much. I'd rather play a game that is fun, than great looking. Maybe why I never got hooked on AoC which is only graphics and no substance. Graphics matter of course, but not as much as gameplay and the snowy landscapes of northrend still do it for me.
You didn't specify that it had to be an MMORPG, therefore, my vote goes to Crysis.
On that note, AoC is easily the most graphic heavy mmo currently released (although Mortal Online and Blade&Soul should give it a run for it's money)
It's almost 2010, and I am just not wiling to tolerate clunky graphics while being told that "gameplay is more important than graphics". That excuse won't wash with me any more. I expect my games to have both good graphics and good gameplay.
-Quote Isoke(VN boards)
In my opinion I would say these;
AOC then Vanguard and EQ2/Eve tied.
Had the whole game of AOC been like Tortage, then it would be the best out there.
Lord of the Rings Online Hands Down has the best mmo graphics I have ever seen.I have played Eve,EQ2,SWG,WOW,and I have seen AOC on a friends PC and none came close to looking as good as Lorts did.