Here we go again with the graphics drive game play argument. This time from Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli. I picked up this gem from gamesindustry. I suggest you give the article a quick glance before listening to me babble on about what he has to say.

“”People say that graphics don’t matter,” Yerli said, “but play Crysis and tell me they don’t matter. It’s always been about graphics driving gameplay.”” Ah, yes the standard blanket statement giving those non graphic lovers the what for.” In reality graphics do play an important role in games. Bioshock Infinite would not be as stellar without good art. That said, art only adds to the mix of elements that make it an excellent title. So lets put this quote down as somewhat agree. It’s like we are doing a survey!

“To bolster that point, Yerli pointed to vegetation in Crysis 3, noting that players can tell enemy movements by observing the way the grass moves. Ultimately, he said making things “spectacular and stylistic”–through production values, visuals, sound design, and art direction–is 60 percent of the game.” Graphics etc are 60 percent of a game? So that leaves 40 percent for story and game play mechanics? Yeah lets try 30 percent to at most 40 percent of any well put together game package. Over the years I have played some wonderful titles with less than stellar Crysis like graphics. We shall mark this quote down completely disagree.

Saved the best quote for last. “”Graphics, whether it’s lighting or shadows, puts you in a different emotional context and drives the immersion,” Yerli said. “And immersion is effectively the number one thing we can use to help you buy into the world.”” Okay, this one he is correct in this sense. There always must be some reason to hook you into a game before the story really opens up. Some times graphics are indeed that hook. Yet if your beautiful world is filled with soulless characters with no depth and nothing to maintain the interest your screwed. That is where the story element comes in and it better be ready to keep people immersed. One of the reasons I skipped the Crysis series was hearing the story was just so so. It’s also one of the reasons I stopped playing the COD franchise as well. The stories just went flat or didn’t exist. I agree with this statement partially, but its obvious Mr. CEO doesn’t get it. Much like David Cage doesn’t get it.

To further illustrate my point, I am going to give you one shooter game that did get it. Spec Op’s The Line is the game. I played the beta for this one and the graphics weren’t over the top. The controls I found extremely wonky. Because the control mechanics just weren’t for me I passed on the title. A few months after the game released I started reading all these glowing accounts of the story. I was really impressed with what I read and now intend to play the game at some point in the future. I can easily tolerate graphics and control issues if I am getting a story that speaks to me.

Finally there is one last thing to consider. Crytek and its Crysis series is an FPS. One common thing you’ll hear among shooter gamer’s. I never played the single player and moved straight to multi. Yes the time honored, can’t be bothered I have an internet manhood to maintain by shooting noobs in the face. It explains why the Crytek CEO thinks he can get away with passing along this nonsense. It does compel me to offer a suggestion to the company. Please don’t attempt to make an RPG or anything like it ever. Then again I may finally stop ragging on the Dragon Age franchise if they do.