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How important are graphics to you?

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Comments

  • BalkonBalkon Member Posts: 83

    Gameplay > Graphics

    That is not to say that graphics don't matter. To me, there are old games that have better graphics than alot of the newer ones. When I say "Good graphics" I don't mean "Lots of pixels and polygons and its really shiny and requires a good 3d card" I mean "It's artsy, creative, and matches that gameplay/music."

    No matter how super technically high the specs are, if it's too generic, typical or cartoony then I don't like them. It's the design and creativity that matter the most in the graphics.

    But gameplay is always the main factor.

  • TuhtleSoupTuhtleSoup Member UncommonPosts: 10

    I agree with most people and say that gameplay is more important to me than the graphics. The graphics do have a part in the time I play a game but gameplay is most important. The features a game gives us and the amount of gameplay and different things to do really affects how long someone is going to play a game and how sucessful it's going to be.

    I can give an example:

    Vindictus is a great game that just recently came out. I loved it, the gameplay is fun and graphics are to-par. The one issue is that, although I loved the dungeon style quests, it was rather repetitive and short. The story was very short as well. One of the reasons I still play it is it's combat resemblance to Monster Hunter, which is part of the gameplay.

  • BelgaraathBelgaraath Member UncommonPosts: 3,205

    I feel that gameplay is more important, but graphics are also important to me. If I log into a game and the graphics feel bland, I loose interest right off the bat. That is what happened when I just tried Guild Wars 1. Since I love exploring in very large areas like Lord of the Rings Online, if there are no breath taking areas, it wont cut it. For me the order of importance is:

    a) Overall Gameplay (if the game isn't fun, it wont matter)

    b) Graphics

    c) Grouping and social aspects (and ease of finding a group and general chat)

    d) User Interface

    e) How alive the NPCs seem both in battle and out of battle (Artifical Intelligence or scripts)

    f) Battle animations

    g) Running animations

    h) Standing still animations

    There Is Always Hope!

  • elos_rekatelos_rekat Member Posts: 106

    there is a wide range of what is acceptable graphics and so long as the game is in that range the other aspects of the game will determine whether or not I play it. 

    WoW, is a good example of this.  It's graphics today don't compare with the graphics of DAoC when DAoC launched.  But Mythic managed to make expansions that not only didn't help the game but hurt it.  Dark Age is the only game where I stopped and just looked at the walls of a town because they were so good it looked like I was looking at a pic of a real wall.  On the other hand when I launched WoW, I said ick it looks like a cartoon.

  • gaeanprayergaeanprayer Member UncommonPosts: 2,341

    Graphics are important, but not the top of the line. Put it to you like this; I still go back and play ps1 and ps2 games, even though my ps3 games are prettier. But I'm shallow enough not to ever bother with SNES/Sega games, even though emulators have made them free.

    So I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. It should at least look presentable, in my opinion. But after a while, the graphics stop being noticeable. The goal is to get you absorbed into the actual gameplay.

    Sort of like a girl/boyfriend. A nice ass will get you looking but the personality is what will keep you around.

    "Forums aren't for intelligent discussion; they're for blow-hards with unwavering opinions."

  • Excalaber2Excalaber2 Member UncommonPosts: 360

    Originally posted by Emergence

    I am curious as to how important graphics are to you as a consumer.

     

    Let's say the game is good, but not great. Let's say you think it is a 7/10 or an 8/10.

    This hypothetical is to help us dismiss the obvious that if the game is AMAZING in gameplay and fun (9/10 or 10/10) the graphics don't matter at all. Fun games are fun.

     

    So let's shoot a hypothetical that it is a fun game, but not the funnest. It is a good game, but not the greatest. Above average, which IMO is average for a game one would play. People don't tend to play mediocre games, but people rarely find a game that is "simply amazing!"

     

    Of the various MMORPG's, what is acceptable or unacceptable graphics?

    Besides the lack of environmental detail (no barrels, baskets of food, magical effects, etc.) how are these graphics compared to other 2D games? Is this acceptable if the game was at least somewhat fun with enjoyable gameplay? Or is this simply unacceptable?

    http://emergencemmo.webs.com/possible%20in%20game%20graphics.jpg

    I would play a game with these graphics if the gameplay was a 6/10 or greater.  That is all.

    Disclaimer: This is not a troll post and is not here to promote any negative energy. Although this may be a criticism, it is not meant to offend anyone. If a moderator feels the post is inappropriate, please remove it immediately before it is subject to consideration for a warning. Thank you.

  • BurtzumBurtzum Member Posts: 67

    I still play Asheron's Call sometimes and don't mind the graphics at all.  It still works well for the game I think.  But maybe I'm just used to the game looking that way.

    Yet oddly when it comes to new games I expect them to have current-gen or near current-gen graphics.  I must admit they are a selling point to me when reading about a new game coming out.  If it looks bad I won't be interested.  Gameplay is of course of utmost importance, but I won't know if that is any good until I try the game.  And no one releases demos anymore so that means I have to spend $50 and buy the game before I know if it has decent gameplay.  Graphics are something I can judge beforehand.

    Its not just graphic fidelity that I base my first impressions on though, its visuals in general.  I don't like the cartoony styles of WOW or TF2 for example.  I don't like huge shoulder pads, oversized weapons, half naked/half armored ladies with huge boobs, generic beefy marines, etc.  So a game can have graphics on the level of Crysis 2 and still look bad to me. 

    As for the screenshot you posted, its not bad for a small indie project.  There are some issues, like the street doesn't feel like a ground plane.  Everything looks like its floating.  Maybe if the street tile was rotated 45 degrees it would fit more with the rest of the isometric view point.  Shadow spots under the characters and monsters would help also.  Its interesting that its 2D.  Even indies are usually going for 3D nowadays.  It can save some work, just using 3D models in game rather than rendering out all sides of a sprite for a 2D character.

    The real problem with the screenshot is its just not interesting.  I see some typical European tudor-style buildings, some generic giant spider monsters, and some ranger-looking fellows in leather armor.  I play RPGs so I can experience and explore new and interesting worlds.  The world in the screen shot is a world I've already seen countless times before.

  • TiiKiiTiiKii Member UncommonPosts: 163

    Originally posted by Balkon

    Gameplay > Graphics

    That is not to say that graphics don't matter. To me, there are old games that have better graphics than alot of the newer ones. When I say "Good graphics" I don't mean "Lots of pixels and polygons and its really shiny and requires a good 3d card" I mean "It's artsy, creative, and matches that gameplay/music."

    No matter how super technically high the specs are, if it's too generic, typical or cartoony then I don't like them. It's the design and creativity that matter the most in the graphics.

    But gameplay is always the main factor.

    This sums it up for me :)

    "Huntress"

  • uohaloranuohaloran Member Posts: 811

    They're complimentary to the gameplay.

  • MardyMardy Member Posts: 2,213

    Graphics are very important, second to gameplay.  I am however willing to sacrifice graphics for better gameplay and/or smoother combat & movement.  Like WoW for an example, if you slap shiny graphics like Vanguard in WoW, the game would be nearly unplayable with tons of lag & hitching.

     

    I play EQ1 now, so obviously I find old school graphics acceptible.  But EQ has gone through a lot of graphical upgrades in terms of environment and npc graphics, as well as weapons & shield graphics.  So I'm fine with that.  Although I do wish they would upgrade character model graphics as they are still old school 2001 luclin models.

     

    It's really about the gameplay more than graphics, but graphics help sell the game and good graphics are pleasing to the eye. But I'll never choose pretty graphics over performance and fluidity of combat ingame.  When it comes to brand new games, of course I hope new games won't come out with 1999 graphics.  I think today people's expectations are higher, as they often think why play such & such if it doesn't look as good as that 5 year old game.  So the pressure is higher for the new games coming out.

     

    For new games that will make me look and  be intererested in, I'd like graphical levels similar to WAR & LOTR Online.  But then WAR is a great example of having a tad upgraded graphics over WoW, but the gameplay isn't as smooth, and combat isn't as fluid.  So in this case gameplay > graphics.  But it'd be nice to eventually have that better graphics while retaining the smooth animation and smooth combat.

    EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO

  • ForumfallForumfall Member Posts: 570

    For me the minimum requirement would be that a mmo (at release date) has roughly graphics like singleplayer games 5/6 years earlier.

  • SoulSurferSoulSurfer Member UncommonPosts: 1,024

    I want to have my cake and eat it too.  I didn't invest in an expensive graphics card for shits and giggles...

    To the poster who said he grew up in the 8 bit era, me too.  That was cutting edge for its time, so fast forward to the present, I will not be satisfied with everyone else's complacency. 

  • Pcgamer81Pcgamer81 Member Posts: 186

    graphics are not important at all to me. gameplay and story is what gets me playing. i'd play mmorpg if it had SNES graphics with good gameplay and story. my first video game systems where atari 7800 and NES maybe im just not graphic eye candy like newer gen.  i grew up in age of final fantasy (NES) and ultima series. im not fooled by poor gamplay and lack luster story. i respect those who play what they like and dont care what others think.

  • Joseph_KerrJoseph_Kerr Member RarePosts: 1,113

    Graphics arent that important to me and as far as photo-realistic graphics go I could care less and my pc can run most games maxed or close to, so its not like I dont like them because I cant have them ie:hater. I honestly like stylized artwork more for games, they seem to age better. When it comes down to with me and graphics is really more the attention to detail more than anything else. You can have a beautiful game world and if theres no personality and its generic then its not emersive and those great graphics dont do anything for anyone. (opinion)

  • stringboistringboi Member UncommonPosts: 394

    I'd love to say graphics are not important...but the truth is, if I dont get some eye candy....it kinda puts me off after a while.  With todays technology and ability to make that eye candy, I feel gameplay and graphics should be on = levels.  There really is no excuse not to have both.......there is that exception with simpler games for kill time, or arcade types, but games that require time investment should have both.....just IMO.

  • IzorkIzork Member UncommonPosts: 381

    Usually I want great graphics etc..

     

    But gameplay owns graphics..

     

    Minecraft.. That game is epic. And the graphics is SHIT.

  • just1opinionjust1opinion Member UncommonPosts: 4,641

    Great graphics cannot make a bad game good, but.....bad graphics CAN make a good game bad for ME. 

     

    Having said that.....

    My favorite games graphically, are generally what I call "realistic with a sense of whimsy."  Games that qualify do not HAVE to be 3D, but I PREFER 3D.

     

    Great GFX to ME:

     

    Everquest 2

    LotRO

    Borderlands    (I know this one is different, but I LOVE the art style of it)

    Guild Wars 2   (what I have seen of it thus far)

    Vanguard

    Torchlight    (for the type of game it is, I think the gfx are PERFECT)

     

     

    Mediocre GFX to ME:

     

    WoW

    EVE    (and before I have to hear all the bitching, there's nothing TO it right now but SHIPS....the "environment" is a desktop screensaver in quality IN MY OPINION)

    Fallen Earth    (but ONLY because it simply needs more color, the quality isn't bad at ALL, the colors are OVERLY drab even considering the topic)

    Runes of Magic  (snore)

     

     

    Bad GFX to ME:   (most of these are due to aging)

     

    Dark Age of Camelot

    ANYFUCKINGTHING strictly Japanese and OLD (Mabinogi comes to mind)

    Tibia   (great game, but I cannot tolerate the graphics)

    Ultima Online  (omg this game still needs a graphical update and it would still be awesome, but I can't play it as is)

    SWG

    Runescape  2   (yes, even the new improved version, BUT.....I have to add....I LOVE playing the game....the game is good once you get very far into it, but the gfx are still....meh)

     

     

    President of The Marvelously Meowhead Fan Club

  • jusomdudejusomdude Member RarePosts: 2,706

    Depends on just how good/bad the graphics are... I'll play something like WoW but I can't stand Asheron's Call graphics... or EQ.

  • ThomasN7ThomasN7 87.18.7.148Member CommonPosts: 6,690

    It is important because today who wants to play a mmo that looks like it was released in 20 years ago ? I certainly don't.

    30
  • Swafdawg23Swafdawg23 Member Posts: 390

    i dont care about graphics.. i still love the 2d isometric view in ultima online over any other games graphics

    gamertag - Swaffle House

  • WolfenprideWolfenpride Member, Newbie CommonPosts: 3,988

    Doesn't matter, however if a game does slack off on graphics, it had better make up for it by bringing more to the table in terms of gameplay.

  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 32,976

    Originally posted by Emergence

    I am curious as to how important graphics are to you as a consumer.

     

    Let's say the game is good, but not great. Let's say you think it is a 7/10 or an 8/10.

    This hypothetical is to help us dismiss the obvious that if the game is AMAZING in gameplay and fun (9/10 or 10/10) the graphics don't matter at all. Fun games are fun.

     

    So let's shoot a hypothetical that it is a fun game, but not the funnest. It is a good game, but not the greatest. Above average, which IMO is average for a game one would play. People don't tend to play mediocre games, but people rarely find a game that is "simply amazing!"

     

    Of the various MMORPG's, what is acceptable or unacceptable graphics?

    Besides the lack of environmental detail (no barrels, baskets of food, magical effects, etc.) how are these graphics compared to other 2D games? Is this acceptable if the game was at least somewhat fun with enjoyable gameplay? Or is this simply unacceptable?

    http://emergencemmo.webs.com/possible%20in%20game%20graphics.jpg

    Well, "graphics" or "art design"?

    Graphics? The way the light hits and textures are presented? not a huge amount. Art design? A lot.

    I'm a visual person. what I see is part of how I process the world.

    However, I think DAoC's art design and graphics are acceptable. I found Asheron's call not to be acceptable.

    As far as 2d games, I generally don't like them but am willing to get them a try if the game play is good.

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  • lordzelmanlordzelman Member Posts: 124

    quit lying to yourselves.

     

    I care alot about graphics. (not boasting, but just got a new system and some of these mmos just look terrible)

    and since im in the "looking for a mmo to make home" stage ive tried many different games lately.

    and honestly, only some of the newer games look acceptable to me. (examples: ffxiv,aion,aoc,lotro)

    WoW being the only exception because the graphics look crisp. just different art style.

     

    WAR wouls be same as WoW in graphics. just  distance objects look weird.. (ps same with eq2)

     

     

  • IlliusIllius Member UncommonPosts: 4,142

    Not really sure.  I do know that more often then not I ended up running my games in lower graphic settings just to boost my performance.  Maybe that says more then any other explanation I can give.

    If however my computer can run whatever game is in question at full graphics without any bogging down or hit to the performance then I run it full blast.

    No required quests! And if I decide I want to be an assassin-cartographer-dancer-pastry chef who lives only to stalk and kill interior decorators, then that's who I want to be, even if it takes me four years to max all the skills and everyone else thinks I'm freaking nuts. -Madimorga-

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