No, from an artistic standpoint I think it looks great. What I dont like is that every single move is a telegraph, It looks like they found a weird uncomfortable medium to build their combat system.
I think their art direction is the strongest element they have going for them currently.
This x10000.
Had this been a game with realistic graphics it wouldn't have as much interest. The fact that this game has a unique art style is what's giving it attention.
I don't think they should have. It's up to the developers what type of art style they go with, and usually it fits the tone of the game. I think it looks nice, and probably will fit the story as well.
Originally posted by MadDemon64 The graphics fit the tone of the game.
Exactly. When the game was first announced and the first screens and videos came out I was a bit meh on the graphics. Now that I have seen many more videos, read some of the background, I see that the graphics tie in perfectly with the game. Wildstar reminds me of the old Saturday morning cartoons with lots of cute humor (Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry, etc.). I am glad they chose that art style. I hope it is as good as they are portraying it.
I personally find the more "Realistic" the game looks the worse it does and the slower the updates are do to cost and time to create content. That being said I find Wildstar's artistic approach though similar to WoW to be unique and fitting. Doing their graphical assets in that manner will allow them to add a lot of content quickly and focus on the games quality with their revenue.
Look at previous "Realistic" titles: Rift - F2P now, Tera - F2P, TSW - F2P. There's a reason "Realistic" looking games don't succeed and that's cost to bring in new content versus revenue. They just simply cant keep up with the playerbase time-wise and financially. I feel a huge part of why WoW was successful was how fluid the character movement was, and that's hard to achieve with ultra-realistic graphics.
The big benefit with more 'cartoony' graphics is its often (if done right) easier to create a graphic style that continues to look good for much longer. While it can be done with a more 'realistic' style, it still needs some sense of 'surreal' to have a good chance to pull off looking graphically appealing longer down the road.
World of Warcraft is a prime example in that. While it is more dated looking today, it managed to be very impressive visually for quite some time due to their art style choice. Even after its glory faded, it still manages to look much nicer then say EQ2 which looks much more dated due to the direction they want with a more 'realistic' type art style.
I'm one to not really care about 'realism' as much as I do how visually appealing something is, as such I do find wildstar to have a very nice style about it. While not the best I can admit, its one I do see being quite appealing for some time.
i like the art style. I like what ive seen so far. I will play this game if theres no mandatory sub.
No, i dont wish it had realistic graphics. There is Conan and TSW if you want realistic graphics (with limited game features in order to fuel the "realistic graphics").
I really like the art style, reminds me of space quest. I can care less bout cartoony looks, however horrid models do bug the hell out of me like WoW's ridiculous armor, if the game is fun then that's all that matters to me.
Maybe, as a personal thing, but they were going for a cartoony sense of humor with the game. I think it's better to go 'all in' with what you're doing so that everything supports the theme and the idea of the game, rather than trying to water things down to appeal to more people.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.
Cartoony, stylized, realistic, whatever, they can all be good in their own ways, but some of the models and textures they are using in the game do it a huge disservice.
Some people will love it, but I find that I simply cannot immerse myself in the world. I can't feel the awe, per say, if the zones are not believable. If I'm constantly noticing textures or jagged nasty models that throw me off, I'll feel like I'm playing some cheap arcade game and not playing a character in a living world, which is most of the magic of MMORPGs to me.
That said, I felt the magic and amazement from EQ zones, so it's not like I am too picky. It's just the combination of cartoony graphics, jagged odd shaped models, horrendous textures that pop out at you and scream out "DOES NOT FIT", and the bright tacky color palette that they use.
The dirt trails, ugly water (please god don't release with that water) and flat grass with ugly flat sheets of bush texture popping out will be the ultimate tools in the breaking of my immersion.
I thought GW2 was stunning. WoW was new and interesting and very passable at the time of launch. This style just doesn't really draw me in. I understand where they're taking it, but I just think they could have done a lot better.
In the past I might have said yes. As it stands now, I find that art style and graphics only put me off initially and as I play a game, I honestly stop noticing if the art style looks dated or not as I adjust to them. I felt this way about WoW initially and as I played it I got used to what it was. Now when I look at WoW, I notice just how dated the art looks but I didn't notice it when I was playing so I am sure the same will apply to WS........ so long as the game is entertaining enough to keep me playing long enough to adapt that is...... As it stands atm, I appreciate the style for what it is because it does seem to fit the personality of the game.
Cartoony, stylized, realistic, whatever, they can all be good in their own ways, but some of the models and textures they are using in the game do it a huge disservice.
Some people will love it, but I find that I simply cannot immerse myself in the world. I can't feel the awe, per say, if the zones are not believable. If I'm constantly noticing textures or jagged nasty models that throw me off, I'll feel like I'm playing some cheap arcade game and not playing a character in a living world, which is most of the magic of MMORPGs to me.
That said, I felt the magic and amazement from EQ zones, so it's not like I am too picky. It's just the combination of cartoony graphics, jagged odd shaped models, horrendous textures that pop out at you and scream out "DOES NOT FIT", and the bright tacky color palette that they use.
The dirt trails, ugly water (please god don't release with that water) and flat grass with ugly flat sheets of bush texture popping out will be the ultimate tools in the breaking of my immersion.
I thought GW2 was stunning. WoW was new and interesting and very passable at the time of launch. This style just doesn't really draw me in. I understand where they're taking it, but I just think they could have done a lot better.
Oh, the game is in beta. Why didn't someone tell me sooner. Well, it has been verified that this game is currently in beta, so I guess everyone on this forum should be informed so that they can stop discussing the aspects of the game that don't appeal to them since everything will be fixed and amazing when the game launches.
It's like I traveled back in time to pre WoW release. Every single thing that was said on the forum that did not tout the game as an amazing success was instantly shot down with those same words, it's only beta!
One more thing. If all you got out of my post was that I enjoy realism in my MMORPGs more than any other style, you should probably take your blinders off. Nothing else of yours is really worth replying to. I mean, we're discussing graphics. It is the topic of this thread. It doesn't matter if you think it isn't the most important aspect. Are we supposed to keep our thoughts to ourselves if they aren't in line with your own?
I just don't care for the combination of artstyle, colors, and graphics to do it in general. And note that I don't mind how WoW looks at all, but this game I can't stand. It's not just blocky due to lack of power, it's blocky and silly on purpose... well, I'm sure that appeals to someone, but for me it killed all interest in the game. It really does indeed feel like Crash Bandicoot and I don't want to play a Crash Bandicoot MMO...
Favorite MMO: Vanilla WoW Currently playing: GW2, EVE Excited for: Wildstar, maybe?
Comments
More realistic than what?
It looks like a great Saturday Morning Cartoon. Age of Conan graphics for cartoon physics / space exploration would just seem silly honestly.
I think their art direction is the strongest element they have going for them currently.
a yo ho ho
This x10000.
Had this been a game with realistic graphics it wouldn't have as much interest. The fact that this game has a unique art style is what's giving it attention.
Depends on if the game is fun.
I like a variety of aesthetics, so if it's a fun game to play, then I'll play it.
My YouTube MMO PvP Channel
Since when is Tuesday a direction?
Exactly. When the game was first announced and the first screens and videos came out I was a bit meh on the graphics. Now that I have seen many more videos, read some of the background, I see that the graphics tie in perfectly with the game. Wildstar reminds me of the old Saturday morning cartoons with lots of cute humor (Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry, etc.). I am glad they chose that art style. I hope it is as good as they are portraying it.
I personally find the more "Realistic" the game looks the worse it does and the slower the updates are do to cost and time to create content. That being said I find Wildstar's artistic approach though similar to WoW to be unique and fitting. Doing their graphical assets in that manner will allow them to add a lot of content quickly and focus on the games quality with their revenue.
Look at previous "Realistic" titles: Rift - F2P now, Tera - F2P, TSW - F2P. There's a reason "Realistic" looking games don't succeed and that's cost to bring in new content versus revenue. They just simply cant keep up with the playerbase time-wise and financially. I feel a huge part of why WoW was successful was how fluid the character movement was, and that's hard to achieve with ultra-realistic graphics.
No, realistic graphics age fast and start looking like ass, also they're boring.
The big benefit with more 'cartoony' graphics is its often (if done right) easier to create a graphic style that continues to look good for much longer. While it can be done with a more 'realistic' style, it still needs some sense of 'surreal' to have a good chance to pull off looking graphically appealing longer down the road.
World of Warcraft is a prime example in that. While it is more dated looking today, it managed to be very impressive visually for quite some time due to their art style choice. Even after its glory faded, it still manages to look much nicer then say EQ2 which looks much more dated due to the direction they want with a more 'realistic' type art style.
I'm one to not really care about 'realism' as much as I do how visually appealing something is, as such I do find wildstar to have a very nice style about it. While not the best I can admit, its one I do see being quite appealing for some time.
Looked bad before but now its terrible.
i like the art style. I like what ive seen so far. I will play this game if theres no mandatory sub.
No, i dont wish it had realistic graphics. There is Conan and TSW if you want realistic graphics (with limited game features in order to fuel the "realistic graphics").
Maybe, as a personal thing, but they were going for a cartoony sense of humor with the game. I think it's better to go 'all in' with what you're doing so that everything supports the theme and the idea of the game, rather than trying to water things down to appeal to more people.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.
Some of the textures/models in this game look absolutely trashy to me.
http://www.containsmoderateperil.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/WildStar-GUI.jpg
Cartoony, stylized, realistic, whatever, they can all be good in their own ways, but some of the models and textures they are using in the game do it a huge disservice.
http://ashadyperspective.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/wildstar-screenshot1.png
Some people will love it, but I find that I simply cannot immerse myself in the world. I can't feel the awe, per say, if the zones are not believable. If I'm constantly noticing textures or jagged nasty models that throw me off, I'll feel like I'm playing some cheap arcade game and not playing a character in a living world, which is most of the magic of MMORPGs to me.
That said, I felt the magic and amazement from EQ zones, so it's not like I am too picky. It's just the combination of cartoony graphics, jagged odd shaped models, horrendous textures that pop out at you and scream out "DOES NOT FIT", and the bright tacky color palette that they use.
http://www.wildstar-online.com/media/uploads/images/media-screenshot-images/loftite_big.png
The dirt trails, ugly water (please god don't release with that water) and flat grass with ugly flat sheets of bush texture popping out will be the ultimate tools in the breaking of my immersion.
I thought GW2 was stunning. WoW was new and interesting and very passable at the time of launch. This style just doesn't really draw me in. I understand where they're taking it, but I just think they could have done a lot better.
http://www.keenandgraev.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/wildstar-housing.jpg
Though I will admit, some of it looks very respectable.
RIP Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan and Paul Gray.
The game is in Beta, its not hard to find images that don't look quite right for any game.
If you prefer a realistic style that is fine, you could always try another grimdark fail MMO.
Graphics really are nowhere near the most important aspect of a good MMO.
In a few years, even the best grimdark graphics will look bad. But cartoon graphics styles stay the same.
Man those screenshots are awesome.
Those endless large open spaces. Let's hope they fill them well with NPCs.
Oh, the game is in beta. Why didn't someone tell me sooner. Well, it has been verified that this game is currently in beta, so I guess everyone on this forum should be informed so that they can stop discussing the aspects of the game that don't appeal to them since everything will be fixed and amazing when the game launches.
It's like I traveled back in time to pre WoW release. Every single thing that was said on the forum that did not tout the game as an amazing success was instantly shot down with those same words, it's only beta!
One more thing. If all you got out of my post was that I enjoy realism in my MMORPGs more than any other style, you should probably take your blinders off. Nothing else of yours is really worth replying to. I mean, we're discussing graphics. It is the topic of this thread. It doesn't matter if you think it isn't the most important aspect. Are we supposed to keep our thoughts to ourselves if they aren't in line with your own?
I am going to play this game but that second shot is like Durator I mistook it for it. I am not criticizing merely pointing it out.
http://ashadyperspective.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/wildstar-screenshot1.png
That makes sense. They are both savannahs after all. There are only so many landscapes possible!Favorite MMO: Vanilla WoW
Currently playing: GW2, EVE
Excited for: Wildstar, maybe?