Why the bad graphics?

[RichSterling]

This seems like a cool game, but with watching the game play, the graphics seem lame. In comparision, that new Tomb Raider that dropped in 2013, the graphics are just phenominal. This game, why cant we see this chick boiling water... why cant we see her drink it after its boiled... This game looks like it was made in 2002. I dont understand why they cant make it more realistic in its execution... ?

[TattooedMac™]

Originally posted by IwillEatU:

This seems like a cool game, but with watching the game play, the graphics seem lame. In comparision, that new Tomb Raider that dropped in 2013, the graphics are just phenominal. This game, why cant we see this chick boiling water... why cant we see her drink it after its boiled... This game looks like it was made in 2002. I dont understand why they cant make it more realistic in its execution... ?

Sounds like you have missed the point of the immersion in the game. The artwork in this game is phenominal, and want it any other way. If your looking for Retina Sharp, graphics, where you can see each hair on the wolf back move, then this game isnt for you.
When you actually play the game, and your walking through a blizzard, you might have a different opinion, but until then, you cant understand why the artwork is like it is.

Do a search online, and every article mentions the beauty of the graphics, and how it works well with the game.

[Shayla]

You're really comparing two different games with two different styles. The kind of 'cel shading' art that the game has is pretty top shelf, especially compared with other games in the same style. Turn this game all the way up to max and things are pretty gorgeous looking.

Watching the character boil and drink water seems pretty boring. Not what the game's really about...

[bradypp]

It looks amazing to me, just waiting for full release then I'm all over it.

[76561198176026803]

Originally posted by IwillEatU:

This seems like a cool game, but with watching the game play, the graphics seem lame. In comparision, that new Tomb Raider that dropped in 2013, the graphics are just phenominal. This game, why cant we see this chick boiling water... why cant we see her drink it after its boiled... This game looks like it was made in 2002. I dont understand why they cant make it more realistic in its execution... ?

Hi thanks for your question! Here is some perspective from our Creative Director during last week's reddit AMA:

http://www.reddit.com/r/thelongdark/comments/2wkj2f/hey_im_raphael_founder_and_creative_director_at/coro566

[Jesper]

The style is known as cell shading. It's unique in an of it's own. Compared to other games with similar styling, it's actually pretty good. As for the hyper-realistic graphics and immersion animations, those probably cost more then what the devs have a budget for. Gotta build a good game first.

And remember, it's a survival "game". Not a survival "simulator".

[CreepySleepyQuidProJoeHiden]

The best answer you are going to recieve is that it's "the way the developers wanted to make it look." It's in your opinion though in believing if it's done because of art style or laziness, most are going to say the former in support of the game and I would agree. Although I say it's due to art style, in my opinion it would look a bit nicer and interesting with a little more textures and polygons (less dramatic sharp edges) but while trying to keep that sort of paper mache look. Another thing that looks as to me that could be improved are the effects such as the fires and flares, which just having more polyons would enhance, but I have only seen gameplay videos so... yeah... my opinion is my opinion just like your's is your's, but in most games and gameplay videos what you see is what you get.

[ngen]

I've always disliked Cell Shading graphics in games. But in this game it fits the atmosphere very well.
Obviously if TLD came out with life-like GFX I wouldn't complain, but it's defiantly not a minus for the way it's build and told.

[Dubious Drewski]

Originally posted by IwillEatU:

In comparision, that new Tomb Raider that dropped in 2013, the graphics are just phenominal.

This just has to be troll bait, right? This game is in Alpha and is an indie title made by a tiny team. Tomb Raider was worked on by HUNDREDS of people for years, and had a AAA budget. You probably think Team Fortress 2 also has "bad graphics", right?

[Jeb]

It's not bad when you play it yourself and take in the immersion. While the simplistic cel-shading alone would be boring, the sound visual, lighting and weather effects totally make up for it. It's so good that I have never even thinked about the missing drinking animations until your post - the immersion was great enough that I always imagined it unconsciously. The audio for it is fitting enough.

Animation and realistic graphics take time and resources. Some developers and players prioritize them differently. There's not much to understand about that.

[IronBudmeister]

even on a low-end graphic standpoint like myself i enjoy it, and cel shading has always been one of my favorite art styles so while it may not be for everyone, its still a nice medium in its own right

[Tolakram]

Originally posted by pockettrout:

The best answer you are going to recieve is that it's "the way the developers wanted to make it look."

You really have to play the game to appreciate the immersion with the style of graphics, including the camp fires. I think realistic graphics has inadvertantly hurt a lot of games and a step back toward more impresionistic styles is a welcome alternative.

IMO of course.

[Big Boss]

Animations != Graphics.

Add animations.

[Big Boss]

Originally posted by tolakram:

Originally posted by pockettrout:

The best answer you are going to recieve is that it's "the way the developers wanted to make it look."

You really have to play the game to appreciate the immersion with the style of graphics, including the camp fires. I think realistic graphics has inadvertantly hurt a lot of games and a step back toward more impresionistic styles is a welcome alternative.

IMO of course.

STALKER, the most immersive game on planet Earth, has REALLY darn good visuals with Complete. So graphics != immersion killer.

[johnsong]

Tomb Raider != The Long Dark

The graphics is not the point of the game. I've plaid Tomb Raider and the graphics used there is awesome. The graphics for TLD, in my opinion, is just as awesome - just in a different way. TR is very linear in play while TLD is open world (especially in sandbox) and a much larger world.. Whiteouts really are whiteouts and blizzards really seem like blizzards. TLD wolves, bears, and deer have a much more complex personallity then TR creatures (and even non-player characters). You can have awesome graphics and still have a sucky game (BTW TR is not sucky :) and you can have artsy looking graphics but an excellent game.

[bethany]

Originally posted by Dubious Drewski:

Originally posted by IwillEatU:

In comparision, that new Tomb Raider that dropped in 2013, the graphics are just phenominal.

This just has to be troll bait, right? This game is in Alpha and is an indie title made by a tiny team. Tomb Raider was worked on by HUNDREDS of people for years, and had a AAA budget. You probably think Team Fortress 2 also has "bad graphics", right?

I have to cautiously agree. Please be careful moving forward with this thread, guys. Everyone has their own personal taste when it comes to...well, everything, but remember to keep it civil and productive.

For anyone seriously comparing a game like Tomb Raider to The Long Dark, keep in mind that different games have different art styles for a reason. It might get a little boring if every game looked exactly the same, and many don't call games a form of art just for the sake of conversation. It's also a little easier to tackle hyper-realistic graphics when you have a budget of $100M.

Beautiful games come in so many different forms. Did anyone get to attend the Art of Video Games exhibit at the Smithsonian a few years ago? There's an interesting (and short) video from one of the guest curators that talks about why so many people consider video games art, and how the player is the final step in the artistic process...There are certainly many factors in a game that come into play when engaging an audience, but in the end, you become as immersed as you allow yourself to be.

If you're interested, you can watch it here:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/arts-culture/the-art-of-video-games/?no-ist