I was reading an interview with Crystal Dynamics Creative Director, Eric Lindstrom in my latest copy of Play Magazine. After being asked about the realism in the game, Lindstrom replied:
Taking any character into a realistic organic setting has its obvious challenges; transitioning from video game rules to real-world rules. Will Lara only be able to carry a realistic number of items in her backpack? How Will she heal? Are you going to do away with any interface altogether? How far are you taking the realistic nature of the game?
When we talk about realism on the team, we usually call it "grounding" because it isn't about avoiding the impossible in the real world, it's about taking people into a realm of th epic and fantastic in a way that doesn't break their suspension of disbelief. The most important role that realism plays in the game is to connect the player to the experience on an emotional level, not to replicate reality, which can sometimes even distance the player if adhered to too strictly. So players can expect a heightened level of realism to their immersion, but only in all the places where it's fun and rewarding.
In a day in age where the gaming industry seems to be obsessed with making graphics and environments as realistic as possible, I find Lindstrom's take refreshing. I hope that we can be more aware of the distinction between realism replicating real life and realism in our interaction with a gaming experience. I am more a fan of the latter. I prefer my gaming to be of the more imaginative, fantastic and other-worldly type, yet at the same time, these types of games need to be realistic as far as you, the gamer, buying the experience. If a gamer is not able to become immersed in the world she is presented, gameplay will inevitably become frustrating. I hope that as video game development progresses, more developers come to understand that realism is about the connection to the world of the game, not just reflecting real life. I've got enough of that every day.
I enjoy running around with 37 guns stuffed in a bag that in real world terms would be too small for a gallon of milk!!! I wouldn't want it any other way.
I agree muchly with your last two sentences. That's why, as fun as it was, I hated GTA: San Andreas. If I don't eat right and exercise I get fat? WTF? I hate stuff like that.
I agree in principle, but I don't think realism in graphics has anything to do with it. I'm ok with developers pushing the graphics towards "real" as much as they want, as long as I don't have to navigate my character to piss and eat. Unless it's the Sims, but I'm not a fan of that anyway.
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about me
The name's sarah schutz - I'm a writer and a gamer and just became an Associate Editor for Tomopop. I am the co-founder/writer for ChicksDigGames.com, a locale for hardcore female gamers which will be launching out of beta in early November. I am a freelance writer who will pen masterpieces for anyone who will have me and even those who don't know they will yet. I get everywhere I need to go on my bicycle and if I can't get there on a bicycle, it's nowhere worth going. I wear stilettos and carry hot sauce in my purse - next to my ds and my psp.
I play pretty much everything I can get my hands on, but my favorites are jrpgs, fps and action adventure. I enjoy finding games thrown off the beaten path that only need someone to love them. I was raised on old school point and click adventures and it's affected my current generation gaming. While I'm usually found on one one of my consoles, I can also be found with one of my World of Warcraft characters.
I'm currently leveling up my WoW toon in preparation for the Lich King release and salivating over the big upcoming console releases.
Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press living the dream since March 16, 2006
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"is to connect the player to the experience on an emotional level, not to replicate reality"
best quote, ever. I wouldn't want to play a game that limits me to much it isn't fun anymore.
I enjoy running around with 37 guns stuffed in a bag that in real world terms would be too small for a gallon of milk!!! I wouldn't want it any other way.
I agree muchly with your last two sentences. That's why, as fun as it was, I hated GTA: San Andreas. If I don't eat right and exercise I get fat? WTF? I hate stuff like that.
I agree in principle, but I don't think realism in graphics has anything to do with it. I'm ok with developers pushing the graphics towards "real" as much as they want, as long as I don't have to navigate my character to piss and eat. Unless it's the Sims, but I'm not a fan of that anyway.