Graphics Whores!

[Hookman]

Ok, so I am only 14 so I was obviously not around during the NES era or anything close to it but I still play old consoles and enjoy them despite the lesser quality graphics. Sadly most of my friends are what I like to call 'Graphics Whores' who go by the motto "graphics make the game" and look down on anything that doesnt have 360 graphics. So a few months ago I bought an N64 and the first thing My friends said was "Why? Its got shitty graphics!" and know I've bought an NES, guess what they said then?! Has anyone else a friend(or hated enemy) who is a graphics whore? I myself feel like bashing some heads in when they diss OoT or Goldeneye!

Oh yeah and I silenced their N64 argument by showing them Goldeneye.

 

[Souplex]

It is the gameplay that makes the game, scientific fact there.

I am sorry, but your example includes OOT the worst game in the zelda series. (CDI does not count.) It alone took away half the series awesome.

 

[TheIceface]

I got a friend like that. He assumes that anything newer and prettier is better. He is a huge star wars fanboy, but he claims episodes 1,2,3 were way better than the originals. When I asked him why, he basically went on a big rant leading to "they had better special effects".
Same way with games as well. He is convinced the the new sonic and megaman games (which I refuse to play) are better simply because they have better graphics.

Me, I have high standards, but I take multiple things into consideration. I have almost all the classic consoles, and I refuse to buy a PS3, 360, or Wii until there is a reason I should stop using my PC and switch. Seriously, I have my atari set up right now, I bought it a year ago 'cause I fried my first one.

 

[Generic Hero]

Yep sadly Imma surrounded by them every single day. Im 15 and I want to /falcon punch most of these graphic whores at school. I used the expression that games are like cakes, the gameplay is the actually cake while graphics are just icing and whatever little things you want to put on top. Sadly they still think and say "Lals it has super awesome graphic so it is teh win" while Im in my corner chargin my laser.

Ps: If you say the cake is a lie, you are not funny and your are not orginal. Old Meme is Old.

 

[xitel]

I will say that I never buy a game just because it has good graphics or refuse a game because of bad graphics, but I will say that horrible graphics can make me dislike a game. If a game has graphics that don't make any sense, or if the graphics are misleading (say an enemy model with a hitbox that is much smaller than the graphical model), then it may lead me to dislike a game.

On the other hand, beautiful graphics will lead me to start lauding a game, as well as good detail on character models. For example, Shadow of the Collossus, a game that had great gameplay and a BEAUTIFUL world, is one of the very few games I claim as a work of art.

 

[zen5887]

casual gamers and guys who only own sports games.

Remember kids - unless you game 16 hours a day your not cool

Graphics nowdays are things that add to the game. This is why reviews are based on gameplay, graphics, sound ect. All of these made a game. If one aspect is lacking it might still be good fun but not as aweosme as it could be.

 

[moose49408]

Personally, I judge games on a three pillar system: Graphics, Gameplay, and Good Story. I'm not sure that I can say which of the three is the most important, as I feel that they're all essential to a good game. They have to exist in balance. A deficit in any one of them can be made up for by the other two being above average. I actually missed out on quite a few awesome games of the past in their eras (two of which include OOT and Chrono Trigger) but I've played them more recently and still found them to be awesome. In their day, they both excelled in all three. Over time, their graphics have degraded, but the fact their stories and gameplay are both awesome allowed me to still enjoy them (and obviously I could still appreciate how cool they looked in their day)

But, in response to the topic, I do know a few "graphics whores." It is sad that they focus in on only one aspect of games, but I'm not necessarily sure that I'd hold them in any lower regard than people who focus too intently on gameplay or storyline.

 

[Spartan Bannana]

One of my friends is a graphics whore, he once asked me why I value story and gameplay over graphics, that's how bad he is. I hate it that he does this, but moar gamez for meh!

Happy Halloween!

 

[Da_Schwartz]

See i love a good story and gameplay and still enjoy older games myself. But i have to admit on PC especially if i can't play a game on max graphical settings (which my machine usually can anyway) it deos piss me off a little bit, and i suppose i enjoy it a little less. Graphics aren't everything BUT if it can look better i want it to. On my last machine i used to sacrifice some performace on a few online games for higher quality visuals. But that's just me.

My only real exception to this is the Wii. I admit i'd play it alot more if it would output in high def. especailly on meh 65 inch hdtv..just makes the system look like total ass. and it pisses me off cause it should be a next gen console. Would love the get smoothly rendered brightly colored cartoony fun graphics...it just doesn't happen.

 

[Supernovajake]

Basically, good graphics are a good add on, but if the game is great then who gives a damn?

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Basically, good graphics are a good add on, but if the game is great then who gives a damn?

This.

Also congrats on being a savvy 14 year old and welcome to the cult of game. Sign your soul away on the dotted line please.

...You know, i'm joking but there was a time people actually believe that. Remember when D&D was considered Satanic?
/offtopic

 

[TheBluesader]

Ok, so I am only 14 so I was obviously not around during the NES era or anything close to it but I still play old consoles and enjoy them despite the lesser quality graphics. Sadly most of my friends are what I like to call 'Graphics Whores' who go by the motto "graphics make the game" and look down on anything that doesnt have 360 graphics. So a few months ago I bought an N64 and the first thing My friends said was "Why? Its got shitty graphics!" and know I've bought an NES, guess what they said then?! Has anyone else a friend(or hated enemy) who is a graphics whore? I myself feel like bashing some heads in when they diss OoT or Goldeneye!

Oh yeah and I silenced their N64 argument by showing them Goldeneye.

I think it's okay to just play a game because it's really pretty, but only if you admit that it isn't a good game, it's just a pretty game. And if someone is going to say "no" to a game just because of the graphics, they're denying themselves some really good games. I mean, to each their own, but you should make it clear to them, as you did with Goldeneye, that they're really robbing themselves of some serious fun.

Of course, I think I'm the only person who bought and played Viking, and only then just because it was so dang pretty. Otherwise, it's pretty borked.

 

[jamesc]

I think of graphics as something to add to the overall experiance and grab my attention for upcoming games, they dont ever make or break a game.

 

[nikomas1]

Uhhhh... Well graphics never makes a game but it contributes, Greatly. I wouldn't ever be scared of Dead Space if it weren't for that creepy atmosphere, And if the game looked bad and the monsters didn't look like they do... I just wouldn't be scared.

Now to the main point! I used to be all like "Graphics counts for nothing" but 2 weeks ago I got new computer on my birthday, A gaming rig to boot, And now my opinion differs a little. Don't get me wrong I still think Crysis is a CRAP, unoriginal and clunky game but depending on the game it can contribute greatly. I still think TA (Total Annihilation) is one of the best games ever! And a game called Starcraft won't ever leave my heart. And the new graphical updates to those games wont change a thing.

(for you who doesn't know TA is the almost 10 years old precursor of Supreme Commander, And in some respects, Still a helluva lot better. And of you don't know what SupCom is... Go do your homework ^^)

 

[searanox]

Graphics are very important to building atmosphere and character in games. While 2D games with good art tend to age well due precisely to their technical limitations, 3D games tend to not age well. After playing Crysis Warhead, Far Cry 2, Unreal Tournament 3, etc., other shooters look bland and lifeless in comparison. It doesn't mean I can't enjoy them, but very few 3D games can get by on artwork alone, especially earlier games. Half-Life, Deus Ex, etc. all have strong enough art, but you're lying to yourself if you say System Shock 2 is still scary these days.

 

[stompy]

I don't really care about graphics. Ultimately, a good story, good gameplay, or a combination of the two is what I look for in a game. That said, if the graphics are nice, then it's a nice addition. More often then not, I'll stare at a game because it looks beautiful, as I appreciate the beauty of the game from time to time. However, it doesn't just have to be graphical prowess; it could be art direction too.

Also, yes, I know a few graphics whores, and I loathe them in that regard. A guy I know was trying to convince me that the PS3 was the best, and the Wii sucked, because the Wii has shitty graphics. Despite my protests of gameplay and overall fun, he wouldn't budge. I gave up a little while later.

 

[Knight Templar]

Grapics do matter, but not so much you shouldn't play a game that is otherwise fun.

 

[Hurray Forums]

My usual response to people who say things like "you shouldn't play X because it has bad graphics, play Y instead because it's graphics are so much better" is that you shouldn't play Y because it has bad graphics, you should play real life instead because it looks so much better. Sure, good graphics are nice, but it is far from the only thing that matters.

 

[thePyro_13]

It is the gameplay that makes the game, scientific fact there.

I am sorry, but your example includes OOT the worst game in the zelda series. (CDI does not count.) It alone took away half the series awesome.

OOT got me into Zelda. since i got it I've gone back and played pretty much every zelda game and loved them all. the ones i haven't played are the very first 2. the only one i didnt like was the minish cap thing. that was just wierd. but i dont see why everyone has a secret hatred of OOT, please elaborate on it?

Back on topic: graphics whore's are annoying yes. lucky i have no graphics whores in my gaming group. we used to have one, but i set him straight

I'll agree that the graphics have less of an effect as they get older, but that doesnt make a game bad. HL looks old and outdated, its still good though. when HL2 is outdated, it will still be good. and if my N64 controller still worked then i would probably still have fun playing OOT.

 

[nikomas1]

Let me try to settle all of this:

Graphics matter in games which are in a style where graphics are important.

And that's what I meant to, Horror games are a prime example here.

Now a genre that DOESN'T need good graphics are the Strategy genre, People that play RTS and TBS games (Like me!) are mostly the people that like to think tactically and how to win by using good tactics and stuff like that. And if you want to be tactical and lead your army to victory graphics aren't a priority. That is... Unless your playing C&C3, The shame of the genre.

Don't get me wrong I liked that game but it was all like, (GDI vs GDI)

*Commander one* My 50 predator tanks, charge! damdamdamdam... DAMDAM (and so on)
*Commander two* Oh Noes, Predator tanks, Missiletroop'Spam engaged!!!!

I can draw that one out but you get the point ^^