Macro111

*lurker post* Allright, I havnt read the whole thread, probably will later... but not at this time. Anywho to answer the Question "How important are graphics really?" (note, this isnt about gameplay vs graphics from the thread title. ) Graphics are the visual representation of something. Like a painting is a representation of a word or an idea. Take away graphics and all you are left with is text and sound. Having stated that, im going to try to answerthe point of Graphics taking up more resources on creating a game than other feilds. If you think about it what a game sets out to do is occupy us with a challange of some sort. Thinking "so what?", well so what If we only had 8 actuall colours to work with, while including physics, sound, pawns, text... ect, you could make an immersive game... but what If all games looked like this? It would be massive "eye rape". Now the argument that every one uses is "what about gameplay, it allways seems to get ignored in favour of graphics!" Well, as I said "If you think about it what a game sets out to do is occupy us with a challange of some sort.", and if you dont belive me, look at history and culture. What do people do when they have free time? Like when kids back in the 1950's played with sticks and cans and stuff. Its entertainment, like theater and pit fighting; it passes time and serves a function (a challange). Realising this we can take games and create them in to vehicles for other parts of entertainment... and possibly life. Like RPG's are to story, as Fighters are to fighting, as FPS are to simulation (tentativly). What Im trying to get at is that gameplay is what the player must do to complete the game, as well as what he receives as a reward or punishment. The rest are part of the entertainment aspect, as that is the reason why "Video" is attached to "Game". To end this, im going to say that its mearly the objective and direction of the game and its creators. Now Im tired, and I dont like to defend my opinions very much. so this is the end of my post . Also, to add; This is my perspective and how ive interpretated my own observations. [edit] I also thought I might point out (as opinion through my own observation) that the reason why graphics are continuing to progress the way they are... towards realisim, could be of any number of reasons, like we are trying very hard to make people belive in our stories and products(by we I mean the who's behind <X> game.) or something else... point is, graphics are just another part of video games, and all I see people here really want are more "artistic" ways of approaching this entertainment medeum to give it some more new life. anywho its 1am. time for bed

Wow, Just wow... In the word's of Ronald McDonald "Im Luvin'it" There were only 3 songs I didnt like, the rest Stay on my playlist till ... well the end of time Seriously, congrats.

Wow, I listened to the preveiw tracks... and I hate to say it, but i caught and early version Secrets and Lies, and im just LOVIN IT! .... man, I cant wait, these are Really good!