Current Events > Will video game graphics ever improve? Have they stagnated?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Feels like they hit diminishing returns since the PS3/360 era

PS4 was only a small jump from PS3. Some Late PS3 titles like Last of Us even look better than PS4 stuff.

The jump from PS4 to PS5 is even smaller

Feels like they hit diminishing returns since the PS3/360 era

Feels like they hit diminishing returns since the PS3/360 era

The focus will be more on resolution and frame rate going forward.

I remember some picture showing that there are in fact diminishing returns on graphical improvements, but I dont think Ive saved it.

If the Matrix Unreal 5 demo is any indication, they can definitely continue to improve

Honestly I don't see why games need to look any better than the PS360 era. Only thing that needed improving was the framerate and resolution

Will graphics ever have massive improvements? Probably not. We're already pretty close to photo realism. Now it's just a matter of perfecting it. But they are improving still. Make no mistake about that.

Environment density, and interactivity, has been the main change as far as graphics are concerned in the last ten years. Thus for people whose view of graphics are based on how many pixels on a model they can spot will be disappointed while people who are interested in whether or not a game looks better will continue to see substantial improvements.

We've hit the practical limit of what can be done cheaply. There's not a whole hell of a lot of purpose in making games that need a $2000 retail-unicorn GPU, apart from bullshit trailers that have a "not actual gameplay" disclaimer anyway.

YeahI dunno. Watching PS3 Demons Souls footage next to the modern sure seems to prove theres been real advancement.

It's more about doing more with worlds and physics engines at this point, stuff that makes a noticeable game play improvement but not as much of a visual improvement.

They've obviously stagnated. It's not about polygon count or specs. I'm sure there is some sort of exponential requirement needed to notice significant differences now. It's not about numbers, it's about what you actually see. Similarly, music isn't about satisfying a bunch of music theories. It's about making something that inspires and elicits feelings. Then you can use the theory to break the music down after the fact.

NecroFoul99 posted...

YeahI dunno. Watching PS3 Demons Souls footage next to the modern sure seems to prove theres been real advancement.

I kind of get it of you use an example from the other end of PS3, like Last of Us. I usually forget Last of Us wasn't just a PS4 game.

I believe in diminishing returns but I think it's also ridiculous to not acknowledge graphics are still improving.

Also, that's why it was smarter to focus on better frame rates and loading times. To me, the upgrade wasn't about graphics.

Graphics are very clearly still improving.

fan357 posted...

Graphics are very clearly still improving.

Maybe a lot of their eyes are worsening as new generations drop >_>. So, it balances out.

Sictis posted...

Feels like they hit diminishing returns since the PS3/360 era

what? If you're still playing on a CRT tv maybe.

Look at games like Red Dead 1 and La Noire ,which were graphically great for their time, and compare them to Red Dead 2 and Uncharted 4.

Graphics got a long way to go before they plateau. Look at the new unreal character creation thing. That thing looks fucking amazing.

Framerate, shadows, reflections, dynamic weather etc are all things that can be worked and improved on - bringing them to a wider market. Plenty of more things as well tbh.

PS4 to PS5 was not "small"

ps4, or even pro, can't do 4K, HDR, 120FPS games and not look like shit.

"but i play in 1080p"

ok? if i close my eyes and never look at another game, i can't say "Ps5 to ps6 sucks cuz i can't see!"

Lost_All_Senses posted...

I kind of get it of you use an example from the other end of PS3, like Last of Us. I usually forget Last of Us wasn't just a PS4 game.

I believe in diminishing returns but I think it's also ridiculous to not acknowledge graphics are still improving.

Also, that's why it was smarter to focus on better frame rates and loading times. To me, the upgrade wasn't about graphics.

I plugged in LoU and it seemed more obvious. Same with Bioshock Infinite.

Theres this uncanny look both games share which I didnt see when they were new, but now stand out.

Remember those old static electricity sticker books? You could grab a sticker of a bush and place it anywhere on the page? Those end generation AAA games had that look.

When I started TLoU2, I immediately noticed that effect was gone because I had just played the OG. Sometimes its subtle, sometimes its obvious. To me, it was in between.

Like Black Flag to Odyssey. Subtle until you really get to it and play them back to back. Then its really obvious that theres more power and the developers are using it.

yeah Last of Us 1 still looks incredible and it will be 10 years old next year.

It's more about getting more stuff on screen and reducing lag I think.

Both ff7 remake and God of War still make you crouch or squeeze through tight spaces to mask the loading.

Cobra1010 posted...

Both ff7 remake and God of War still make you crouch or squeeze through tight spaces to mask the loading.

Which was a cool gimmick until the 100th time and we knew what was happening lol. Still a cool way to do it imo. But, that's being handled this gen.

Raytracing is pretty major and it's still very limited at the moment.

It's both. I feel like we are getting to the point where some games are closing the gap between some movie/TV show CGI. The PS5 Ratchet and Clank game arguably looks better than the movie a few years ago. The Matrix Awakens demo looks like some good CGI at times. Mostly in that driving sequence.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Which was a cool gimmick until the 100th time and we knew what was happening lol. Still a cool way to do it imo. But, that's being handled this gen.

Hey it was a huge improvement over Mass Effect's elevators lol