The Next Level of Video Games

The GC/GBA connectivity has been 'meh', but I would like to see the next-gen controllers have a screen or screen attachment. I like the concept of managing items or doing secondary actions without having to interrupt gameplay (see FF:CC). As stupid as the Nintendo DS is, the concept of having two screens doing separate things isn't bad. It just shouldn't be implemented on a portable system.

Of course, the screen controller (or screen attachment) must be packed in with the console, or else developers will never use the technology (see GC/GBA connectivity).

Graphics have a long, long way to go, seeing as what people say they want is realistic 3D. Frankly, most 3D graphics blow huge meaty chunks. Proof- go outside. Look at the details like people, moving cars, trees (anything living, actually), and "draw distance". Turn in a circle, then look up. Now go inside and find the prettiest, best designed game you can and do the same, keeping the earlier images clearly in mind. Notice a difference?

Audio in games is fine. Better voice acting would be nice in the games that need it, and less voice acting in RPGs would be nice due to the time difference between reading and listening, but otherwise it's perfectly fine by me what can be done with audio these days.

As for the important bit, gameplay, I don't really think a new console or a few new generations of consoles will effect its evolution. Games and gameplay are generally muscled into whatever console is available, and evolutions in game design happen more by what's popular at the moment than because of technological limitations.

Out of time, the world calls. The paragraph on graphics and graphic stylings will have to wait until later. Go look at the central hub world in Stretch Panic to get an idea of where I'd go with it, though.

James

Wherever the next level of videogames go, I know that they begin here.

Graphics, a lot better. Heck, the Xbox's graphical abilities is like 2x that of PS2 (not technical, just from my own non-technical way of quantifying this).

But gameplay wise, I think it hasn't really progress that much at all since the days of PSOne/Saturn.

Honestly, there was a big jump in terms of gaming innovations from 16bit to 32bit b/c you can't really do 3D properly (if at all) during the SNES/Genesis era. But with the Saturn/PSOne, you start to see some cool (if elementary) games being made, like 3d platformers, action adventures, first person shooters, racing, fighting, etc etc etc. I am not saying they are all good, but they were something different.

But since then, all we really get is better graphics. We are playing the same (or very similar) games from the past 2 generations now, they just look prettier.

That's why sometimes I get very excited when something truly innovative comes along and try to do something so different. The one example I am thinking of is Steel Battalion. Sure you got mech games before (hey, Iron Soldier on the Jaguar was really good! :) But not a true mech "simulators" (which in itself is an oxymoron since it is simulating something that does not exist!), regardless, it is just cool and daring, giving (me) a new experience that really wasn't capable or tried (on a console anyway) before. The custom made controller immerses you further (of course, it came with a hefty price tag).

But I digress. I am still waiting for the next level of videogames. Maybe, there won't be any.

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Originally Posted by James

Graphics have a long, long way to go, seeing as what people say they want is realistic 3D. Frankly, most 3D graphics blow huge meaty chunks. Proof- go outside. Look at the details like people, moving cars, trees (anything living, actually), and "draw distance". Turn in a circle, then look up. Now go inside and find the prettiest, best designed game you can and do the same, keeping the earlier images clearly in mind. Notice a difference?

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Exactly. Graphics are nowhere near close to peaking and likely they never will.

I truly believe gaming's best years are ahead of us. I am very intrigued by the possibilities of AI advancement, more emergent game experiences, and increased control and sensory immersion not attainable in the archaic controllers we still use today.

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Originally Posted by NeoZeedeater

Exactly. Graphics are nowhere near close to peaking and likely they never will.

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They will never peak because what would be the point of spending millions upon millions of dollars for realistic graphics, when the game will never make it's money back. When comparably you can spend less and make decent graphics and a good profit (GTA).

With each upgrade/generation there is less and less improvement. It's the limiting sum of graphics.

Dammit, they promised us fractally-generated trees!

Personally though, I'd be happier with new graphics techiniques designed not to make things look more realistic but rather more stylized. Cel shading is the breakout hit but nobody else has messed around with any other methods of rendering. I think maybe a full game done in Streth Panic hub-world sketch fashion would leave me blind, but there's got to be other things that could be done.

James

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Originally Posted by James

Graphics have a long, long way to go, seeing as what people say they want is realistic 3D. Frankly, most 3D graphics blow huge meaty chunks. Proof- go outside. Look at the details like people, moving cars, trees (anything living, actually), and "draw distance". Turn in a circle, then look up. Now go inside and find the prettiest, best designed game you can and do the same, keeping the earlier images clearly in mind. Notice a difference?

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This is true. Current console are quite adequate for creating attractive fantasy worlds but they can't produce anything that looks a damn like reality.

We have get to see good 3D hair, even.

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Originally Posted by AstroBlue

They will never peak because what would be the point of spending millions upon millions of dollars for realistic graphics, when the game will never make it's money back. When comparably you can spend less and make decent graphics and a good profit (GTA).

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The technology will become cheaper over time.

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Originally Posted by burgundy

The technology will become cheaper over time.

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True, but the man hours needed to render complex 3D models wont.

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Originally Posted by AstroBlue

True, but the man hours needed to render complex 3D models wont.

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Programs which simplify and speed along the process will come along and do exactly that.