Do graphics improve the atmosphere?

Do you think that graphics improve the atmosphere in a game? What else are graphics important for?

yes eg LIMBO

sts106mat

I think Dead Nation would be a better example. For a downloadable console exclusive it has some of the best graphics yet and is just dripping with atmosphere. Gee I sure wish that game got more attention.

Yes.

/thread

yes. although sound plays a very important part of it too. luck for us the 2 are not mutually exclusive.

Of course, but it's just one of the factors. Like the guy before me said, sound plays an important role also. IMO that's the sign of a great game, the fact that it's atmosphere can make you forget or zone out your own surroundings.

Great visuals + excellent sound are essential in order to immerse players more in the games...

Well, they certainly can enhance it, but for me, it's more about the visual style of the game and its environments. E.g., I recently played Shadow of the Colossus for the first time ever (earlier this year), and while the visuals were good enough for its time, there are obviously prettier games out there today, and it's easily one of the most atmospheric games I've played.

Same thing with Super Metroid and lots of older, by todays' standards, less graphically impressive games. Absolutely amazing atmosphere.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a more recent example (though some, myself included, might argue that the graphics are certainly not bad).

I think Alan Wake proves that

Absolutely. The more striking the visuals, be it artistic or technical, the more immersive and believable the world you are playing in becomes.

Obviously! RDR is the best example of it imo.

Yes. Alan Wake and Killzone 2!!!

Yes, ask Metro 2033.

If Batman: Arkham Asylum was a PS game... it wouldn't be 1/10th as atmospheric.

Only idiots would think that technical proficiency improves atmosphere. Lighting, sound design and art are what improve atmosphere. Look at some of the older games like Silent Hill, System Shock 2, Fallout 1 and 2 and Super Metroid. They all have amazing atmospheres that have not deteriorated over time desipte the graphics looking no where near as good as modern games. If graphics helped atmosphere, the atmosphere in these games would have gotten worse. They haven't. That is proof positive that graphics do not improve atmosphere

valereth-1

The graphics help artists to create better and more stunning atmosphere. That's the main purpose of graphics anyway. You're right that great technical proficiency alone doesn't guarantee great atmosphere but in the hand of a good artist it will.

Do you think that graphics improve the atmosphere in a game? What else are graphics important for?swguy123

Adequate artstyle to a game's specific theme improves its atmosphere(also adequate sound). Artstyle is not, and never was dependent on improved graphics. Improved graphics are fundamentally eye candy, but with improved graphics, the artists can be significantly more free in shaping up a great artstyle, in comparison to before.

That is only generally speaking, there are many examples of fantastic artstyles in games, that have not ben surpassed by other's with improved graphics.

It depends.. on the artist.

honestly? This has to be the most stupid question I have ever seen in system wars...

Really depends heavily on the type of game. If it's horror then yes, absolutley, but if it's something like an open worlder, the graphics don't neccasarily be mind blowing to have good atmosphere.

For me? Yes, definitely especially when it comes to simulators.

Sometimes but not allways...

Yes, but artstyle and sound is really what defines the atmosphere.

Bioshock was not as atmospheric as SS2.

Do you think that graphics improve the atmosphere in a game? What else are graphics important for?

swguy123

My PC runs on carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, so yes it does improve the atmosphere

I felt the cruel, black maw of space enclosing upon me as my enemies thirsted for my destruction. The terror...

So yes graphics help.

I felt the cruel, black maw of space enclosing upon me as my enemies thirsted for my destruction. The terror...

So yes graphics help.

NEStorianPriest

THIS POST MADE ME LOL

Yes, ask Metro 2033.

DraugenCP

Atmosphere has everything to do with how well the developers utilise the technology at hand. Thief blows most modern titles out of the water in terms of atmosphere, and it came out more than a decade ago.

Art design, sound design, level design, etc., these are all factors which contribute into a game's atmosphere. Just because a game is older and "uglier" doesn't mean its atmosphere is worse than a "better looking" game; to the contrary: there are many modern games which look technically excellent but have weak atmosphere, and there are many games which were technical marvels when they first came out, but which have aged poorly because they had bad art design.

I think this might become the most one-sided poll since the "should singleplayer only games die" thread.

Do you think that graphics improve the atmosphere in a game? What else are graphics important for?

swguy123

Look at the Metroid Prime Trilogy, hell yes.

I voted yes but shortly after I thought of this. Minecraft is pretty scary down in the caves and the graphics suck ass.

Only idiots would think that technical proficiency improves atmosphere. Lighting, sound design and art are what improve atmosphere. Look at some of the older games like Silent Hill, System Shock 2, Fallout 1 and 2 and Super Metroid. They all have amazing atmospheres that have not deteriorated over time desipte the graphics looking no where near as good as modern games. If graphics helped atmosphere, the atmosphere in these games would have gotten worse. They haven't. That is proof positive that graphics do not improve atmosphere

valereth-1

But the atmosphere in those games got worse.:?

I hope you you realize this and stop calling people idiots for cheap.

No doubt they do!

In combination with strong art direction, yes.

I don't know. Play a game like Red Dead Redemption, Eternal Sonata, Limbo, Mass Effect, Braid, or a stylish game like Odin Sphere or Persona 4(Shadow World/TV World), Psychonauts, etc, and tell us if they seem more atmospheric.

Absolutely. Better hardware can produce more real-looking environments, as well as bigger environments.