Will console graphics ever beat PC graphics?

[Falseprophet]

I've always found this notion pretty silly. In art, limitations can push the artist further- the fixed hardware of a console can cause a lot of big-budget games to resolve to visual creativity, and tricks to make the game look visually comparable to general games on the market.

This. I'm frankly sick of almost every game going for a photorealistic style. Even with the most powerful of PCs, those games are still stuck firmly in the uncanny valley. I'd rather see a less realistic art style done well than this continuous parade of creepy pseudo-humans on my screen.

 

[tehroc]

Consoles would have to release at least yearly to keep up with PCs.

 

[gorfias]

Probably when graphics hardware gets so advanced that it can display an unlimited number of polygons, or at least unlimited in the sense that adding more doesn't make a visible difference.

This.

At this time, the bottleneck appears to be not hardware, but developers. Programming in Hi-Def, from what I've read, is a real challenge, taking twice as much money and time developing a game 1/2 as long as what we were served in Gen 6.

What I do find fascinating is how much has improved in Gen 7 consoles. Take a look at Burnout Revenge on the 360. The environments look like they are made out of modeling clay. Now look at Burnout Paradise. Same hardware, the developers are getting better at tweaking it.

 

[Vohn_exel]

When I was in college for Music, my professor gave us three chords to work with, and only three, and we were supposed to come up with a song. When someone asked him why we'd do that instead of just using any notes we wanted, he said because sometimes you can come up with more within limitations then you can when you have none. He worded it better, but you get what I mean. It's why some movies that cost 11,000 can be better then a movie made on 20,000,000.

So it's kind of a double edged sword. The PC is always updating, never slowing down. So it's always getting higher and higher. It's in constant building and rebuilding. Consoles, however, are all on one setting all the time. They don't get better as time goes on. But, the trade off is that while PC's always have more and more power for graphics, the Consoles get more polished visuals because people know what they're doing with them (this was the case for God of War II, according to some Gameinformer article I read.)

I think it's possible that consoles could reach the point that when they come out, they're better then PC's graphics, but it wouldn't stay that way for long. I'm actually ok with this though, as graphics are not even half the pie of gaming for me, but I don't like being unable to play a game because my PC isn't up to snuff. I hope that consoles never get to the point where we have to worry about upgrading them, because then I'd be in the same place I am now with my PC. Although at that point, I guess I'd just go back to my Dreamcast

 

[Fire Daemon]

No they wont, and it's pretty obvious why. Many of other people have already pointed this out.

What I want to point out is that most of the people who argue the superiority of the PC platform because of graphics (among other things) are probably also the type who say that graphics aren't everything.

Anyway; arguing that PCs (or any platform) are better for gaming because of their graphic potential is pretty stupid anyway. The core of the game (how it plays, how the story is written etc) will always be more important. There isn't that great amount of difference between the platforms regarding the more important options so I suppose fanboys will grab onto whatever they can.

Also, is anyone picking up a strong anti-console vibe on the forums recently? There has always been one but it feels like over the past few days it's started to show up in full force for no reason.

 

[JeanLuc761]

Also, is anyone picking up a strong anti-console vibe on the forums recently? There has always been one but it feels like over the past few days it's started to show up in full force for no reason.

I've kind of been noticing that, but I don't think it's that bad. This isn't an anti-console thread, so far as I can tell.

Maybe it's a backlash from the console elitism that I've seen running rampant over these forums over the last few weeks

 

[Warped_Ghost]

Well that depends how you look at it. Consoles are cheaper, an xbox probably wont make that type of quality picture but the thing only cost 300$ while that PC is probably 1000$ or more. So bang for your buck I would go console.

My background so you know my perspective.
I do console and a little PC gaming.

 

[joshthor]

Consoles will beat crysis level graphics. there is no question about it. but consoles use pc hardware. while its possible the first couple months when it comes out a console may have better graphics (possibly, game developers will not know how to use this technology the best yet though) pc graphics will quickly overcome console graphics and stay better until the next generation.

 

[Fire Daemon]

Also, is anyone picking up a strong anti-console vibe on the forums recently? There has always been one but it feels like over the past few days it's started to show up in full force for no reason.

I've kind of been noticing that, but I don't think it's that bad. This isn't an anti-console thread, so far as I can tell.

Maybe it's a backlash from the console elitism that I've seen running rampant over these forums over the last few weeks

This is kind of an anti-console thread. Kind of. It's basiaclly about how a part of PC gaming is better than console gaming, but if you compare the two that will always crop up. It depends on how far you want to look into it I guess. This thread isn't too bad, there have been worse

 

[JeanLuc761]

Well that depends how you look at it. Consoles are cheaper, an xbox probably wont make that type of quality picture but the thing only cost 300$ while that PC is probably 1000$ or more.

*resists the admittedly tempting urge to rage over the stereotype*
*takes deep breath*

Alright, here we go. Yes, an Xbox does an impressive amount for $300, but building an equivalent PC should, if you're savvy, take no more than $500-600 to get a machine that will not only destroy the Xbox on any game out there, but is also capable of much more than just gaming.

 

[JeanLuc761]

This is kind of an anti-console thread. Kind of. It's basiaclly about how a part of PC gaming is better than console gaming, but if you compare the two that will always crop up. It depends on how far you want to look into it I guess. This thread isn't too bad, there have been worse

As you said, it depends how far you want to look into it. Technically, better visuals and smoother frame-rates is a point for saying PC's are better, but there's so much more to take into account when choosing a system.

 

[Mcface]

Personaly ive always been a pc gamer so i am a bit biased on this issue, however i think it's worth a look. Bellow is a screenshot from Crysis on the PC. Can consoles ever hope to match up to graphics like this? Given that it takes a pc to program and build a console game will there always be some measure of downgrading to make any given game work on a console? Or since the constant upgrading and updating of pc's is neverending will it take a console sent back in time to beat pc's on graphics and looks alone?

Ideas?

Well to answer the "will they ever look this good" yes. The new cry engine for consoles looks pretty similar. As for overtaking? No way

 

[Erana]

Also, is anyone picking up a strong anti-console vibe on the forums recently? There has always been one but it feels like over the past few days it's started to show up in full force for no reason.

I've kind of been noticing that, but I don't think it's that bad. This isn't an anti-console thread, so far as I can tell.

Maybe it's a backlash from the console elitism that I've seen running rampant over these forums over the last few weeks

The problem is that in a lot of threads, the OP posts a question, and gets at least two pages worth of the same post content before its over with. Few people have said anything other than, "Nope, *rephrases insight from the OP*".
Constant repitition of the same sentiment can't help but feel like people hammering in the same sentiment, which is only a stone's throw away from, "PCs will always be better than Consoles."

I understand the OP is looking for some deeper insight or information on this issue, but I don't think a good argument about the technical specs of a console surpassing the PC is going to come around any time soon, so this thread seems pretty moot to me.

 

[JeanLuc761]

The photorealistic look is cool, but I hope that's not the only reason people want to buy the game. I also hope there aren't people ignorant enough to expect the highest graphic settings on the console versi- oh wait, there are plenty of idiots out there (not just console players)...

I work at Gamestop, and it's absolutely depressing how many people return games or flat-out refuse to buy them because "Oh...the graphics are just okay."

Hell, I had one mother who said "No, he doesn't buy games that are more than 2-3 years old because of the graphics."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

 

[Erana]

The photorealistic look is cool, but I hope that's not the only reason people want to buy the game. I also hope there aren't people ignorant enough to expect the highest graphic settings on the console versi- oh wait, there are plenty of idiots out there (not just console players)...

I work at Gamestop, and it's absolutely depressing how many people return games or flat-out refuse to buy them because "Oh...the graphics are just okay."

Hell, I had one mother who said "No, he doesn't buy games that are more than 2-3 years old because of the graphics."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Their loss...
Still, can keep awesome games like NetHack and Minecraft to ourselves, then. I always find smaller communities more cozy. Still, I bet they'll come around if they stay into gaming.

 

[Caspertjuhh]

maybe possibele!

computers have a focus on other things than graphics, while consoles are focused on games.
Sure, a custom computer will always beat a console, but it is very possible that in a few years your average console will beat your average computer.

 

[FaceFaceFace]

Isn't it physically impossible for consoles to beat PC graphics? If they do, then the very next day someone will release a better graphics card and consoles will have to wait 5 years for their next hardware upgrade in the form of a new console. Consoles will eventually reach today's level of graphics, but by then computers will be better already.

 

[Fire Daemon]

This is kind of an anti-console thread. Kind of. It's basiaclly about how a part of PC gaming is better than console gaming, but if you compare the two that will always crop up. It depends on how far you want to look into it I guess. This thread isn't too bad, there have been worse

As you said, it depends how far you want to look into it. Technically, better visuals and smoother frame-rates is a point for saying PC's are better, but there's so much more to take into account when choosing a system.

Theres a lot of things worth taking into account, but I think the smarter gamer will play on both. Even if you have a really shitty PC I would wager that PC can still play older games on DoSBox (or maybe even run DoS). Most consoles go for pretty cheap now and I think that if you are able to purchase your own games it's worth getting a PS2 or something just for that back catalogue.

Actually, thinking about it, graphics really aren't that important.

 

[Koganesaga]

From a technical standpoint, yes, there is a very high chance consoles will defeat PCs, but due to the fact that PC's regularly get hardware and software updates, The PC will always stand on top, it would literally be a time factor.

 

[Fire Daemon]

as far as i'm concerned the PC is not a competing platform with consoles.

That's probably right. Most people have a PC so saying that the PC is worse than a console is a faulty stance to take. The only time that PCs should compete with something over forums is with MACs and the MAC VS PC war stopped involving gaming a long time ago.