I freely admit that I love games that are gorgeous and easy on the eyes. I will also admit that graphics in games play a part whether I purchase them or not. I know that's not a popular thing to say in some parts because video games are supposed to be all about gameplay first and everything else mere accessories to compliment it, but if that were really true in the video game landscape, we would still be playing new games in our SNES. Fact is, most game companies prioritize graphics first over other facets of game development. And who can blame them? That's what the majority of gamers want. That's also what gets highlighted first by all.

How many game commercials do you see where just real time gameplay is shown? Very few. It's all about the CG movie trailers with a smidgen of gameplay. Look when they announce a new game at E3 or whatever trade show. It's all about the flash, all about the graphics. That's the first thing you notice because quite frankly, out of all the senses we have, sight is obviously the prominent one we use the most in video games aside from hearing/sound. Gamers can say they're not graphic whores but if that were true Game Trailers would be out of business. Let's compare two apples and see which one looks better. I think this one has a shinier texture. I personally think comparison videos are the most retarded fucking thing known to gamers. I mean the differences are minimal at best unless their comparing the Wii version to the other consoles.

Most graphic whores and gamers in general really don't want innovation. If we can get the same game over and over again with the same basic game structure but with prettier graphics, we're good. Aren't you? Even some game reviewers indulge the nonsense with tripe like " while graphics don't make a game the sense of immersion because of them makes this almost a new game " No they don't. It's the same game with a prettier package. Sometimes it's less of a game because of the prettier package.

I know there are gamers who cry out I want innovation, I want original ideas, the virginal territories of newness within games but as soon as someone creates something even remotely different, it's panned by most and relegated to the bargain bins because of its mediocre sales.

While we're at it haven't we been playing the same games with the same objectives through the years just with a way better presentation? Let's not kid ourselves here. We can analyze all these games left and right but ultimately the games we are playing now are the same ones that we played when younger, only way easier, way prettier and with way more multiplayer.

Remember when all people talked about were how many polygons this or that was pushing? It seems silly now in our age of HD consoles but instead of what polygons go into something, we now discuss which internal chips of game consoles are better or faster. Which ones are easier to make games for. Which ones have more juice under the hood. I know the Wii is selling like hotcakes still, hell I own one, but is anybody buying any games for it? Aside from any game with the word Wii attached to it, that is.

If one were to think about it, the diminishing lifespan of home consoles is related mainly to creating new ones with better graphics. Sure they'll have more memory or whatever new techno gibberish buzzwords will be flying about in future iterations but it's just a reboot with more "power." And like always we'll all line up waiting with anticipation for even prettier games to satiate the hidden graphic whore in all of us. Hoping that maybe in this reboot we can get a handful of titles that really stand out and bring something new to the table. But lets not kid ourselves further here with these preconceived notions of wanting something new. That will be a rare thing, like lighting striking a person and they survive.

Until we as gamers start really demanding more and flexing our own power as consumers, we are all whores on that street block being pimped out by the powers that be.