I made this thread not to push a product, not to quell buyers remorse for some. but to ask an impeeding question. Currently, on visuals there is still room to improve. still room to polish. When the first Physics Processing unit came last spring many people were reluctant, some grasped the idea with boldness, and others reserved their thoughts as an enthusiast. I remember during the vista launch, there was a few joke topics on how crappy vista was (is). At that time there was one thread that stuck out to me. the joke topic on Direct X 11. showing actual pictures of real life objects and activity. Many people laughed, some rather enjoyed it. Unlike many the topic spawned a curiosity in my mind.

"How good can it really get?"

How much more detail will be invested in games, before they become to realistic and impractical for developement costs? When will there be a pennacle in graphics? Is that possible? Considering the new standard for 2008. Having something that is visually eye pleasing is the norm.

After games like this, I wonder whats next? What will it look like? The Turok? Next addition to Crysis? Far-Cry? How we're on the fast track to a pennacle (if it exists). And then what after that? what will be the next feature consumers and developers strive for? For the moment it's realism in the Western culture. With each release becoming a stepping stone in PC Gaming. The next MMO better than WoW (AoC?), the Next FPS better than CoD4, The Next RPG better than Oblivion/Witcher. Each genre improving themselves, becoming more exciting, more adventurous, more realistic.

In games like Crysis (a performance drainer for any computer), the developers introduced a feature new to gamers and enthusiasts alike. A visually pleasing world that responds to player interaction, giving the player the opprotunity create unreaptable unique experiences. I personally had fun Punching tanks into the sky, when i first unlocked the console in single player. Or jumping across the map with a Speed Mode multiplier x1000 (very dangerous without god mode). It's these type of interactions i believe that will surge past the penincle of visuals.

I remember in one of the Crysis threads, a gamer asked the question of " I saw in one of the previews of crysis how nukes were more powerful, blowing away buildings, and trees. How come nukes aren't powerful in the game?" Only to be instantly, dumbfounded when a following gamer replied "Because everyones computer would crash". Reminding me why physics are at a minimum in Crysis Multiplayer.

Which is exactly where my argument is at its strongest. Developers have exceeded the limited norm of current technology, and were ultimately forced to dumb down Original desires they once had for their gameworld (A sign of the pennacle?). Limited by Processing power. When the first PPU was introduced, many people were confident that it was useless. Claiming that current graphic cards have special features to cater for physical interaction between objects (they do). Or that processors can handle the burden. while others said the day would come when they would be of great use. As i see it that day is already near.

Back in the day of the late 90's games were very restricted to availible power. Unit caps in stratedgy games, one perspective views, short view distances etc.. Which isnt the case today (whew'). Today's limitations could be tomorrows free-for-all. At this very moment, games are in developement for utilizing the PPU. Although few in numbers their popularity will eventually grow as most of them are free for download.

Games like Cellfactor Revolution:

Warmonger:

And under Developement, Eye of the Storm (Working title) a guerrila warfare based game.

Right now the PPU is restrained to Special levels in GRAW, or just adding 5-15fps in a handful of games on the market. But i believe that day is coming when the PPU will be common place in every computer case. Especially as gameworlds expand in realism. Prices would drop from $129.99USD if production and demands were higher. As more free to play games are pushed out the more tempting it is for me, and the harder it is to ignore. Bending Street-poles, falling ceilings and walls, craters in the ground, why stop there? For enthusiasts with supped up pc's, let me ask you something (no it isn't if your feeling lucky).

" How good can it really get?"