Introduction
Graphics is of course an important aspect of any game. That is how we perceive the game world, and that is how it communicates with us. Ideas regarding how we would like the graphics to look like, as well as requests, and suggestions go here.
Summary
None Yet.
Related Threads
Civ IV will have a 3D map! A discussion of possibilities by VetLegion
Squares, Hexes, Octagons... by Uber KruX
Vote HERE to bring back Wonder movies by Dominae
Table of Contents
None Yet.
The Ideas
1. The Two Outlooks
2. Unit Proportions
3. Avoid Excessive Eye-Candy
4. Wonder Movies:
Conclusion
None Yet.
Graphics is of course an important aspect of any game. That is how we perceive the game world, and that is how it communicates with us. Ideas regarding how we would like the graphics to look like, as well as requests, and suggestions go here.
Summary
None Yet.
Related Threads
Civ IV will have a 3D map! A discussion of possibilities by VetLegion
Squares, Hexes, Octagons... by Uber KruX
Vote HERE to bring back Wonder movies by Dominae
Table of Contents
None Yet.
The Ideas
1. The Two Outlooks
So, currently, there are basically two points of view on the graphics. One is that it should be merely functional, and it doesn't much matter that it looks good - as long is it is not ugly. Some of the proponents of this point of view are:
Master Zen: We do not buy strategy games for flashy graphics so this is perhaps the only aspect of Civ4 I am really not interested in.
Solver: What I'd love to see is Civ1 graphics in Civ4. Seriously. Functional, still good looking, easy to understand. Extremely low computer requirements. Implement all the new gameplay concepts, etc., but Civ1 graphics.
The other point of view is that even for strategy games, graphics should progress with the technology. The move to 3D is only a natural step in the same direction other games have been moving lately. Though there aren't many people around who support a move to th 3D.
Trip : 3D can be good (as I've said elsewhere) - streamline the graphics creation process, add new features that improve usability (better zooming, panning, etc. options), and make the map more interesting to look at, obviously.
2. Unit Proportions
Well, we already know that the game will be done in 3D. The next question is, how would the unit and city proportions be handled? Historically, the natural proportions were never preserved. That is to say, units on the map were disproportionately large. Basically, if we look at the map, we see the cities, mountains, and units being roughly the same size. I suppose there's reason to believe that will still be the case in Civ3, for as we have seen even with the newer strategy games like RoN, it would be easiest to inflate the size of the units in order to make them discernible from the bird's-view persepective that the games usually take.
DarkCloud: Landscapes and mountains and vistas are just too large and people are just too small for the proportions to work out correctly. It's always going to look a bit strange.
VetLegion : No realism in depicting units, and even little realism in depicting cities. It was always so in the genre and I think it will remain so in 3D.
But terrain itself could for the first time become more realistic. 3D will allow for more variation and I think it is reasonable to expect realistic proportions between land features themselves. Himalayas being twice as high as the Alps and such, instead of both being represented by generic "Mountain" tile drawing.
3. Avoid Excessive Eye-Candy
Whatever the view on the desired type of graphics engine for Civ4, it seems the consensus is that excessive eye-candy is unneeded.
Trip: [Avoid] focusing in the minor details and the "fluff" which other genres and especially RTS games liked to get sucked into.
4. Wonder Movies:
See the related voting thread. So far, the option to bring back the wonder movies is leading.
Conclusion
None Yet.
Comment