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Will graphics be a deciscive factor?
Elikal
Member UncommonPosts: 7,912
That is the one thing I really wonder. I really like the gameplay ideas behind EQN, really. But the graphics... sorry they really turn me away. I mean just compare two settings, a desert and combat in EQN to, say TESO.
I am sorry, I am really not trying to troll your game... but how can you even JUSTIFY EQN graphics? In 2013, or even 2015 when it launches? Seriously. You say it is timeless, I feel like it is 10 years behind already! Sorry, but for me the visuals of EQN, the longer I look at it, the less I like them. It's a pity, since I really like their ideas of gameplay. Why on earth they EVER came to that graphics is beyond me. *shrug* I just don't get it what target audience they are making this for... it clearly isn't me.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
Comments
Meaning what?
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
If the gameplay is really here then people will get over it, at least they really should.
I don't mind cartoony art and render style normally but I find it a bit excessive in that game, personal preference.
I just hope the gameplay will be good and once I'll get used to it (pretty quick if the game is good) it won't bother me.
Not for a F2P game, no.
if you do not know what he is talking about, you should have your spotlight poster title stripped.
if you know anything, and after 7000+ posts you should you would know that realistic graphics get old FAST, and teso, though i love her to death, will as well.. Add in high performance requirements for vid cards, this also limits gameplay .
styalized graphics typically last longer in games, and with the tech that eqn wants to add into the characters, IE: facial expressions mimiking yours as you watch the screen, it is far easier to do it with long lasting styalized graphics.
also, modifications, graphic patches, updated to models much easier to add in, and faster production of.
i could add more, but you dont care, you just want to bash what is new.
over 20 years of mmorpg's and counting...
Millions of people play Wow and are fine with the graphics in it, others care more for game play over graphics. SOE going for a bigger market which includes the millions of kids playing Free Realms, the older ones might move over to EQ Next which shares a art style they like. i don't mind the graphics I can understand why others hate it but its a popular look that makes money.
Basically, graphics is the look of the game. Like, Cell-shading, shadows, how smooth you can make objects without them looking corny or like squares. Adding more polygons, making stuff smoother, yada yada.
Art style, also known as Aesthetics, is the art of the game. Like Everquest here got a pretty cartoony look, with a lot of colours and special looking characters, while TESO went for a more real looking aesthetics.
I don't really know how to explain much more since I don't know too much about it, but I know the difference.
Penny Arcade did a good video of this, I suggest people to check it out.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/graphics-vs.-aesthetics
I heard this argument, but I don't share it.
WOW was a game I never got into because of the graphics. I just could not identify with the characters, and even the world was just "acceptable". Wheras EQ2, which tried to make the best graphics possible back then remained strong and good for me for many years. So no, I do not see that stylized lives longer, at least it doesn't work for me. I mean, how many years do we play MMOs anyway? Two years? Three? Make it four. I guess a modern graphics game will look good enough in 3-4 years, still.
Also: Graphics don't make such leaps ahead anymore as in past times. We are already close to photorealism, so they simply IS no much better graphics in 10-15 years, because we almost reached the end of the line already!
And again. I am not planning for a MMO I play for 15 years. That's just absurd to assume these days.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
If the gameplay is fun and interesting, the graphics are secondary. I'll gladly play a game that has a cartoony or stylized art direction if the game is solid enough. Expecting realism in a game world filled with elves, orcs, dwarves, orcs, and cat people is silly anyway.
The graphics will be a deciding factor for many, but it won't be enough as SOE can attract more audience with their current graphic style than they could otherwise. Why? Because as people get older, there's a never ending crowd of younger audience growing up, ready to step into gaming. SOE studied what worked for WoW over the years, and give them props, they know this style will last a long time. And it really has a lot to do with the audience and crowd they want to attract. Like I said, in 5 years I'll be 5 years older, but there will be a new batch of high school & college kids that just can't wait to start playing games.
For me personally I don't mind how graphics look as long as they fit the universe. WoW's graphics fit the warcraft universe well, which is why I never complained about it when I played it. Anime style works for Guild Wars games, so I was fine with that. I will say that this style doesn't work for Everquest universe, but if the gameplay is good enough, I can overlook it and give it a shot. Don't fool yourselves though, there are definitely a segment of the playerbase that will not play this game because of the graphic style it's going with. But this segment is not large enough for SOE to worry about.
EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO
What I don't get is why people say "cartoony means longevity"
WoW looks horrendous now after 10 years.
Also, I can't feel fear in a world that is cartoony.
BUT, I am more concerned about the no trinity and no vertical progression and levels now.
I'm the opposite of you. I got into WoW despite the graphics and it was good for me for a few years. EQ2 I just could not get into, and I tried a few times.
I didn't get sick of WoW because of the graphics, I hated the gameplay after a while and how it had migrated from where it had started. EQN's style is more cartoony than TESO, but I honestly don't see why there's a shitstorm on these forums over it. If the gameplay is amazing and the game has real depth then I could easily see myself getting into it.
Current: None
Played: WoW, CoX, SWG, LotRO, EVE, AoC, VG, CO, Ryzom, DF, WAR
Tried: Lineage2, Dofus, EQ2, CoS, FE, UO, Wurm, Wakfu
Future: The Repopulation, ArcheAge, Black Desert, EQN
...yet it's the largest MMO out there still, they've held onto the crown for double the time that Everquest held onto the throne. And EQ2, well it never even made it to top 5 U.S. MMO's. You can see the desperation from SOE, wanting to break into the mass market and getting a slice of that pie that other MMO's are enjoying.
EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO
Well, i was ok aobut the world so far, unhappy they wont have water but ok overall.
Hate the Character Art Direction.
And about the NPC enemys and bossmobs - they are to overly cute!
Even the Iron Golem that smashed half the house did not in any way look dangerous...sure it was big...sure it slammed the house...but it simply does not look like a thing that brings shock and awe.
I allways had the "Pete's Dragon" feeling.
"Torquemada... do not implore him for compassion. Torquemada... do not beg him for forgiveness. Torquemada... do not ask him for mercy. Let's face it, you can't Torquemada anything!"
MWO Music Video - What does the Mech say: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF6HYNqCDLI
Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0x2iwK0BKM
It looks amazing imo.
Those EQN characters is not designed for stills, but to see in live motion. Jumping around fighting mobs with a smile on their faces. And yet still, i prefere the first and the third screenshot, By far. The second and 4th looks like kitch tbh.
The style inspired of fantasy art or modern comic books fits the World so much better than stiff realism. I rather want to fight along side Frazetta`s Conan than the guy next door.
Super realistsic graphic always fail to convince me anyways. The moment the characters start to talk and the unwrapped photograph on the face sits frozen like a mask, shatters the illusion.
Good design can be larger than life imo. Just go Watch a Pixar movie. Eve from Wall-e or Mike the talking M&M from Monsters inc feels more alive than many sklilled actors.
What I take from this art direction is that you are not supposed to feel fear. The general theme would suggest to me a comedy theme. This is also the impression I get from WOW or Wildstar (why do we not have a short acronym for Wildstar?). Comedy is fine, but sometimes people prefer other themes such as adventure, horror, mystery.
As far as longevity. AoC was release in 2007 and still looks fine if not one of the best looking MMO's today still. So art style dose not indicate longevity in any means or form I would agree with you.
The Deciding Factor for me on EQ Next will be the Races....if they screw us around and we don't get all the Core Everquest races I probably wont be playing
All I want is GNOMES ! as a playable Race Is that to much to ask for ????
no water? what are you talking about? they stated that they upgraded and revamped the Forgelight engine to create fluids. Yes there is water, but they have not created oceans yet.
Wasn't it you who have made many a post about games being too dark and gloomy? Yes, it was.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
To me it sounded as if they investigate the possibility to implement "Water" but have not done so yet and if so we should not expect more than puddles.
"Torquemada... do not implore him for compassion. Torquemada... do not beg him for forgiveness. Torquemada... do not ask him for mercy. Let's face it, you can't Torquemada anything!"
MWO Music Video - What does the Mech say: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF6HYNqCDLI
Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0x2iwK0BKM
WOW was a one time thing. It came with unique ideas at a unique point in MMO history. Drawing conclusions what to do or not to do from WOW is a futile thing IMVPO.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
you sir, are an active member. blew me away when I saw your posts number.
you really need to look at video of graphics in borderlands 2 to see that cartoon graphics can still be seriously amazing graphically and having spectacular effects, use PhysX, and be just fantastic. the fact that they have chosen to go with this style actually has been super amped up. i have zero interest in graphics like EQ2, Vanguard, TESO, and their like.