Graphics
are a big deal, and don't act like they aren't. They are what have defined each generation of gaming, and especially for more casual gamers, they can be what define great games. Obviously, each generation tops itself in terms of graphics. There have been some major steps in graphics, such as the leap from the Super Nintendo to the Nintendo 64, and there have been some fairly insignificant steps, such as Gamecube to the Wii. I remember when I was little, I always talked to my friends about how awesome it would be when graphics could match realism. Well we're almost at that point today.
With games like Fight Night, Uncharted 2, Crysis, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 out on the market, it is safe to say that we are getting pretty damn close to achieving realism in our games. I wouldn't be surprised if realism is a standard on certain consoles next generation.
My point being that with realistic graphics right around the corner, what is there to expect after that? Can graphics ever surpass realism?
In my opinion, I'm going to have to say no. It's impossible for me to imagine a game that looks better than real life.
But I want to hear what
you think.
Also, on a side note, this is my first CBlog, and I would love to get some input :) 
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In the same way that utterly pointless movies with poor stories get by with good special effects, so will video games get a pass from people looking for at nothing more than the surface of the product. Personally I'm not a fan of realistic trends. I find very little to appreciate as opposed to if somebody had added some sort of artistic flair to the game. Something that felt unique and distinct.
Realistic graphics are setting games up to become more bland than they already are, as gritty realism becomes the popular trend and video games start following the summer blockbuster formula that movies have taken. Mind you summer blockbuster is essentially another way of saying shallow and profitable.
Mind you I think realistic graphics could be used well. I remember a time when Half-Life 2 almost seemed to bring a science fiction story to life, I just don't think the trends are really sending us in that direction.
But, looking at this from Wry's point of view, I'd strongly disagree with what he says. Mainly because I like to think the video game community in general is at least a tad bit smarter than the movie community. The gaming community doesn't get wowed by pretty graphics and let that get by, a boring game is still a boring game regardless if it's pretty or not. Making a game look extremely realistic and/or jaw droopingly pretty is one part of an entire formula, as the consumers will quickly drop a game if its gameplay and storyline are absolute crap even if it's the prettiest thing ever.
The new Twilight movie is making ridiculous amounts of money right now, even though the movie community at large thinks it's garbage. That's my point.
I think DwightDL said it well- "They (graphics) are what have defined each generation of gaming, and especially for more casual gamers."
Just as a causal movie goer would rather see 2012 than the Road, most casual gamers would rather play Assassin's Creed 2 than something like Borderlands or No More Heroes: Hero's Paradise. People think they can tell how good something is on the inside by how flashy and expensive it looks on the outside. I wish this wasn't true, but it is.
Oh, and welcome DwightDL! Good to have you around!
Actually, a TON of people in the gaming community, especially here, are all about graphics. A game can be a steaming pile of crap, but if it looks good, they'll argue that it's an okay game until they're blue in the face.
As for the blog, I don't think good graphics, no matter how good they are, will EVER beat realism. Graphics and visual effects may advance and advance, and AI may do the same, but nothing that starts out fake can ever truly be real.
Don't get me wrong, there many games that I love that are ugly as hell, but it is still really interesting to see how the gaming industry is progressing in terms of graphics every few years.
No, no game will ever look "more realistic than real life". That isn't possible.
But, from an artistic standpoint, I'd rather look at something like TLoZ: Wind Waker or Okami than most things in reality. In that sense, games may have already surpassed reality.
So the next step is art imitating art and not art imitating life. Simple answer is simple.
Also, welcome.
Same shit applies, cel shading and sprites look better than realism.
I guess the next step I would like to see is taking the "realistic" art of something like MW2 and applying it to a fantastical world. So far RPG's have come close, but haven't yet succeeded in making me feel like I'm truly in a different world. Oblivion was very good with some of the towns and vistas - but it wasn't quite "different" enough from our world, Heavenly Sword had beautifully rendered cut scenes but the ingame play still kept me feeling it was a game without the same sense of immersion (though it was also 3rd person and not 1st).
A good example of this is Borderlands. This game flew under everyones radar with its cel shaded gritty stylised graphics, but was plenty awesome. As a result, its kind of a sleeper hit of 09.
I guess art direction, will shape what kind of game gets created. For every Fight Night or Heavy Rain, there will be others games, that buck other trends to suit their vision. Such decisions will matter more, especially if you are an indie outfit, whereas larger devs can afford to try any part of a creative visual spectrum.
When we do hit that visual peak, graphics will still have to wait for AI to catch up, anyway.
Graphics do matter, no matter what some people say. They're the first thing most people notice about a game. Beyond that, graphics are one part of a game's presentation, which to me is the most important component of a game next to gameplay. I hope that makes sense.