How Much Detail Is Too Much For Games?

jones_supa writes "Gamasutra editor Eric Schwarz gives thought to the constantly increasing amount of graphical detail in computer games. He notes how the cues leading the player can be hindered too much if they drown in the surroundings, making it harder for the game to hint whether the player is making progress. Consistent visual language helps to categorize various objects, making their meaning more obvious. Paths through the game world can be difficult to read simply due to dense vegetation. For some cases 'obfuscation through detail' can also actually work really well. Schwarz challenges us to ponder how the amount of detail makes a game either more or less enjoyable."

can't tell where I am

[themushroom]

I used to play this adventure game by Scott Adams on a VIC=20. All text, no detail, and I could never tell if I was making progress either.

Skyrim

[AlienIntelligence]

Is there more detail than "reality"?

-AI

NES vs. Sega Genesis

[bigjarom]

I used to use this exact same argument to tell my friend why his 16-bit Sega Genesis was worse than my 8-bit NES. Really I was just jealous.

Re:Skyrim

[CanHasDIY]

Is there more detail than "reality"?

-AI

I was thinking that, too...




That is, until I took an arrow to the knee...


*ducks*