With the level of attention given to the "next generation" of video games, it's possible that the element of cost is not given nearly as much attention as it should. After all, the cost of games that we see in retail is just one of many layers to consider. There are so many other elements to account for and an interview that Capcom did only seemed to bring this idea to light that much more. It made me ask the question, "Does game design have to be such an expensive endeavor?"
Capcom posted an interview that was done with Masaru Ijuin, the Senior Manager of Technology Management, and it detailed the matter of development costs. Even though the previous generation of video game systems required effort, without question, this generation required "eight to ten times" more effort. With the greater degrees of power associated with the latest consoles from Sony and Microsoft, it's not hard to see why. Developers want to utilize as much of their power as possible in order to make their games stand out.
When it comes to video games that are able to garner mainstream attention, most of them are rooted in more realistic styles. These are able to replicate real-life rather well, given the power behind them, and they do as much as possible in order to stand out. However, those who learn in schools which entail art can tell you about the many other art styles that can be incorporated. These, in my view, help to render gaming as that much broader of a medium that should be given more attention.
There are many standout titles from Nintendo which do not have realistic graphics attached to them. However, they are able to stand out for other reasons, in terms of style, which is important when considering that uniqueness is often displayed from the outside. "Super Mario 3D World" is a great example of this, as its lighthearted atmosphere and warmer palate of colors are points that are hard to deny. Of course, whether you care for games with lighter or darker moods is simply a matter of opinion.
Arguably Sony's swan song for PlayStation 3 is "The Last of Us," which possesses a far darker story to tell. As a result, an environment with less color and moodier lighting makes sense; both of these qualities compliment the narrative. However, if a design choice is made simply because it can be made, it's for the wrong reason. While Capcom is under the impression that "next-gen" hardware entails higher costs, sometimes a simple, clean look is all that is needed for the overall experience.
Capcom posted an interview that was done with Masaru Ijuin, the Senior Manager of Technology Management, and it detailed the matter of development costs. Even though the previous generation of video game systems required effort, without question, this generation required "eight to ten times" more effort. With the greater degrees of power associated with the latest consoles from Sony and Microsoft, it's not hard to see why. Developers want to utilize as much of their power as possible in order to make their games stand out.
When it comes to video games that are able to garner mainstream attention, most of them are rooted in more realistic styles. These are able to replicate real-life rather well, given the power behind them, and they do as much as possible in order to stand out. However, those who learn in schools which entail art can tell you about the many other art styles that can be incorporated. These, in my view, help to render gaming as that much broader of a medium that should be given more attention.
There are many standout titles from Nintendo which do not have realistic graphics attached to them. However, they are able to stand out for other reasons, in terms of style, which is important when considering that uniqueness is often displayed from the outside. "Super Mario 3D World" is a great example of this, as its lighthearted atmosphere and warmer palate of colors are points that are hard to deny. Of course, whether you care for games with lighter or darker moods is simply a matter of opinion.
Arguably Sony's swan song for PlayStation 3 is "The Last of Us," which possesses a far darker story to tell. As a result, an environment with less color and moodier lighting makes sense; both of these qualities compliment the narrative. However, if a design choice is made simply because it can be made, it's for the wrong reason. While Capcom is under the impression that "next-gen" hardware entails higher costs, sometimes a simple, clean look is all that is needed for the overall experience.
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If you are intrigued in learning about a particular form of art, take a moment to research art schools in Florida.. Also published at The Artistic Value Seen In Next-Gen Video Game Design.
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