Gamertell

You’ve heard of the “uncanny valley” that is, the fact that the more realistic computer-generated graphics become, the more disturbing their flaws (i.e. the best animated humans look very creepy and weird). Now, an excellent editorial at Gamasutra examines the “graphics plateau” - the point where graphics are basically “good enough” and all anyone cares about is gameplay. Writer Brandon Sheffield thinks we’re there already. He cites the crazy popularity of underpowered machines (like the Wii and even the DS), and the PS2’s continued success, along with the ubiquity of mobile gaming in Japan, as reasons supporting this.

What do you think? Are graphics now at the point where we no longer need the uber-machines to be satisfied? Or are simpler games just in fashion due to demographic reasons? An argument could certainly be made either way, but Sheffield’s piece is well worth a look whichever side you’re on.

Read [Gamasutra]

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