9 replies to this topic

[jessie25]

I wanted to do some general research about which MMOG has the best graphics, and would like some feedback from the experts (you!)... In my opinion, upcoming space-themed games such as Battlestar Galactica Online and Star Trek Infinite Space usually have the upper hand due to the detail in the graphics. Maybe I'm not a huge fan of fantasy MMOGs, but I haven't found one that's struck me as particuarly impressive....

[alphadog]

Step 1: Define "best graphics".

[SyntaxError]

I know this isn't what you asked but IMHO graphics don't make an MMO the best. Both environment and game play come first. Note the success of WoW which clearly doesn't have the best graphics but has great world design and (arguably) great game play.

[Hyper]

SyntaxError said:

I know this isn't what you asked but IMHO graphics don't make an MMO the best. Both environment and game play come first. Note the success of WoW which clearly doesn't have the best graphics but has great world design and (arguably) great game play.

Graphics do not define a game, I completely agree.

The best part about a game is the storyline... Like, it could be REALISTIC (like a movie you play)....
But I wouldn't want to play it. Why would I want to walk around in a realistic world on my monitor?
I can just step outside and do that, and do it without using only my limbs... I can use my legs!

Without a compelling reason to play (that makes sense), there's no point in even playing a video game.

[alphadog]

While I agree with the idea that story is important, so is graphics (and not necessarily "realistic", but "good".)

Anyways, let's assume the OP know that story is important.

The problem remains that "good graphics" is one of those things that can get subjective fast, unless you define it better. Do you have technical criteria, even simple ones like 2D, 2.5D vs 3D? Are we to evaluate on an aesthetic basis?

Your question is currently the equivalent of going to a woodworker's forum and asking what's the best way to drive a nail...

[fireside]

I think this is kind of a con to get people to look at the two games mentioned. No links were supplied, which would have been a dead giveaway. Still, it seems fishy to me. It did open up a good topic, though. I think we are reaching a level where graphics don't mean as much because they actually start looking more and more alike as they get better and so many games use libraries like Speedtree now. I like good character modeling and animation myself, but I don't think it makes or breaks a game. Not for me, anyway. I'll play games that the character modeling and voice acting aren't very good if the game play and story are good. What I find is that those things matter for the first few minutes of the game and then I'm on to the real meat of it or ready to give it up. I looked at screenshots of one of the games mentioned and they weren't anything special from what I could see. Some people are into special effects like explosions, etc, and they do make a game somewhat more interesting. Another question is whether good graphics actually hinder game development. Angry birds is the big rage now and it's not exactly a graphic wonderland, same with that java game which I can't think of the name of. Realistic graphics can be a limitation on game play.

[jessie25]

Thank you for your feedback...I guess it was more of a frivolous question than a technical one. When I talk about graphics I refer to 3D, and just wanted some banter about your preferred F2PMMO games, nothing more! I agree that graphics are a subjective matter, but it can be argued that there is a certainly a 'high-quality' breed of graphics for online games...

[jorian2]

hmm i'd say guild wars or path of exile

[DracheHexe]

The concept of good graphics, to me, has two distinct areas. Technical quality of graphics: lighting, polygons, shadows, anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, DX11 rendering...all thos fancy techie buzz words. Then there is the visual look and feel. Color, textures, detail, design. Some games can have a high level of one but be lacking in the other and stll look good.

Also "best looking" is subjective. Your example of Battlestar Galactica Online shows you appreciate lots of post processing effects. Lots of bloom and probably motion blur. Me I appreciate color and detail. Even though I don't play it anymore I still think World of Warcraft, despite its old engine, is one of the best looking games specifically because of its color scheme and attention to detail. It has a visual charm that is warm and inviting appealing, and full. To me most other games lack something in at least one of those areas. Your Battlestar Galatica Online example there looks empty. Big, open, mostly empty spaces. All the greatest rendering and textures won't make an empty space look more appealing.

Of the current MMOs I play I think Secret World is my favorite visually.

[silkroadgame]

Actually,both graphic and storyboard are important factors for a successful game.Do you ever see a great game only good at just one aspect?At least I haven't!
For players,there're so much reasons why they enjoy a game,we should make thing which majority of them are like,but tell the truth,it's not an easy task!