How much do graphics really matter?

Started by acatfrommars December 13th, 2015 2:07 PM
  • 1488 views
  • 12 replies

acatfrommars

Male
Seen February 5th, 2023
Posted January 9th, 2023
3,870 posts
9.6 Years
I was watching my friend play Fallout 4 last night on PC, and he was complaining that the graphics were too cartoonish and not that good. Then he switched over and started to play The Witcher 3 which has amazing graphics. So what are your opinions on graphics? Do they make a game, will you buy a newer game if the graphics aren't up to your level?


Personally, I'll buy a game with subpar graphics if the content is amazing.I don't feel like Bethesda concentrated as much on graphics with Fallout 4 because there is so much great things which you can do in the game! The same with the Mass Effect series back in the day.

machomuu

Stuck in Hot Girl Summer

She/Her
Take a left, turn right at the next stop, bear left for a few mil
Seen March 4th, 2023
Posted April 26th, 2022
10,505 posts
15.1 Years
Graphic quality doesn't particularly matter to me too much, but I do think it matters based on the aesthetic and scope of your game.

For instance, if you're making a game like, say, minecraft, the fidelity and detail of the graphics don't particularly matter all too much as it not only makes the game easy to develop for for modders, plus the simple aesthetic allows for more complex visuals and resources being placed elsewhere. It's pluses all around for something like this.

But if you're trying to build a game that has an aesthetically believable and realistic world, then yeah, I'd say graphics are very important and that things such as muddy graphics or noticeably cheap or dated textures can really pull you out of the experience, because it's all about immersion. Granted, I won't say they're the most important, but just saying "graphics don't matter", which I'd say, from an objective standpoint, isn't true, wouldn't fly even more here.

It's all about what you want your game to look like and how the fidelity sells the experience. If you have a certain aesthetic and a certain experience you want to sell with that, you have a lot of leeway in terms of what the fidelity can be, and your graphics don't have to be top-notch to sell that experience. So, simply put, it all depends on what you're going for, I'd say.
It really kind of depends on the game and for the most part, it is important, but how important varies not only from person to person, but from game to game as well.

On a side note, I would like to say that your friend is a boob; Fallout 4 looks incredible. The game itself might be a bit lackluster, but the graphics look a lot prettier than Skyrim. Witcher 3 looks pretty good though; if you want a sample, look at my sig.

天 (Caine)

Flower Child

Age 31
Male
Vice City
Seen December 25th, 2016
Posted October 17th, 2016
452 posts
7.7 Years
The only time when graphics are important to me is the price. I'm not going to spend 60 USD on a game that looks like it was made ten years ago. That being said, I do understand that gameplay is more important but when newly released games are that expensive, I can't help but feel like I'm being cheated.

Nolafus

Aspiring something

Age 27
Male
Lost in thought... again
Seen March 3rd, 2018
Posted March 11th, 2017
5,722 posts
10.9 Years
I'm one of those people that has a hard time telling good graphics from great graphics, so it doesn't matter too much to me, haha. It's more about the game itself. If the game has a really good storyline and characters, then I don't care if it's the crappiest graphics I've ever seen, I'll love it. Although, it's a lot harder for me to like a game with really bad graphics since it hinders the immersion, and that's the biggest factor. Characters and story really bring me into the game, but the graphics do too, so it depends on the game mainly.
PairPC sister

Sydian

fake your death.

Age 30
they/them
Georgia
Seen May 22nd, 2022
Posted November 29th, 2021
33,354 posts
15.2 Years
I don't really care as long as it's fun. I mean, I can definitely appreciate a beautiful game and likewise, I can tell when something isn't up to par for its time period, but they're probably the least important thing to me.
BURY ME SIX FEET DEEP COVER ME IN CONCRETE
twitter | twitch | youtube

Megan

She/Her, It/Its
Seen 39 Minutes Ago
Posted 39 Minutes Ago
17,751 posts
10.3 Years
The graphics don't really matter to me too much. Sure a nice look is always cool, but as long as the gameplay works well, the graphics remain just a sidenote. On the other hand, if you give me terrible controls/gameplay mechanics, then even the most beautiful and detailed 3D scene doesn't change the fact, that the game plays like crap. {XD}
Moderator of Previous Generations, Forum Games and VPP
You got a thing!

Eden

Right you are, Ken!

Age 29
Female
Flavortown, USA
Seen July 12th, 2019
Posted September 30th, 2017
248 posts
8 Years
I don't care much about graphics as long as the game is great artistically, and doesn't function like total garbage. To me any game that dips below 30fps at the expense of graphics on consoles is essentially unplayable (with the exception of turn-based RPGs.)

Saragraph

Everything for the OST.

Male
The Salty Spitoon
Seen October 3rd, 2022
Posted February 1st, 2016
94 posts
7.4 Years
I'm one of those people that doesn't really care that much about graphics. Yeah sure, it has to live up to some standards but it isn't as important as let's say the OST, gameplay, or story. I can totally play a game the plays wonderfully, is a joy to listen to and keeps me hooked on its story if it looks worse than it should according to modern standards. That being said I do think it depends on the kind of game that you're playing. Turn-based RPGs as mentioned before is one of those games where graphics don't matter as much as the other things. But for games like Heavy Rain or Beyond: Two Souls graphics do matter a lot as you will be staring at the screen doing virtually nothing. Obviously the story and OST matters too, but I want my pixels nice and sharp. Especially if I buy it at 60 euros. I'm looking at you Detroit...
What if you could rid the world of war? What if hatred could be conquered?
Whose side will you choose? Which path would you take?
Female
Seen March 30th, 2017
Posted March 13th, 2016
40 posts
7.4 Years
Most of the time, I don't really mind outdated graphics or minor graphical errors. My limit is when the graphics are so bad that it takes the fun out of the game itself or worse, mess up the game completely.
Outdated graphics can also be nostalgic too. It's part of the reason why I still play my Gen 5 pokemon games.
Did I mention that I just came out as bisexual?