The Cargo Cult of Game Mechanics (Destiny)

by RC , UK, Friday, January 16, 2015, 09:37 (3401 days ago) @ Fuertisimo
edited by RC, Friday, January 16, 2015, 09:45

I'm not sure immersion is solely driven by graphical quality or better physics. More realistic? Sure. But there are a ton of games that are immensely immersive that don't rely on photo realistic graphics or making sure that shit bounces around in a realistic way.

Compare the visual richness of Frozen to Steamboat Whillie.

Similarly, graphical power in games (as well as what that implies about power for other systems) does not mean 'exactly like reality.'

There was a little thread on HBO about this. The video meanders a bit and isn't as effective as it could be, but the point is that a lot of the narrative of game visuals over the last decade has been towards this 'realistic' goal and not only is that a bit of a fool's errand, it's artistically limiting and not especially interesting.**

A game doesn't have to look exactly like the real world, but light bouncing around in a manner consistent with real-world physics can enrich the simulation and introduce interesting mechanics that simply couldn't be done before.

e.g. the game this forum is dedicated to has great real-time shadows that can serve as a tell for enemies coming around a corner before you see them. In Halo 1 you'd either have to hear them or stick your head out first.

EDIT:

**I saw a good comparison shot between a Ferrari in Forza 5 and the same model in real life. The one in Forza 5 was 'hyper-real' if anything: exaggerated shadows, perfect reflections and highlights that simply can't be seen in real life. Perhaps people have spent so long in the virtual world they've forgotten how the real one looks.***

***Anyone know the FreddieW/RocketJump channel on YouTube? They're known for short, special-effects focused videos. One of their videos features freddie with the palm of his hands on fire. Lots of comments decry the effect as 'cheap-looking' and 'fake', but it was actually real fire. :D