Do Graphics Matter?
by Elizabeth Harper 
Mar 18th 2006 at 5:45PM
The Escapist has new articles up on both
sides of the topic of graphics in video games. One claiming that a beautiful game constantly rewards you with its sights,
while the other argues that story is paramount to the gaming
experience. While I'm the first one to say that my early days in Azeroth were spent marveling at the sights and
taking screenshots of everything, I don't think I would have stayed as long as I have if there weren't something more
to the place than pretty pictures. But then Warcraft's story-line isn't necessarily the greatest, either - while
there's a lot of lore, story advancement is minimal, and none of your actions have a lasting impact on Azeroth.
So what is it that keeps you playing WoW - is it the graphics, the story, or something else entirely?[Via Joystiq]
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nathan G. Mar 18th 2006 9:14PM
Ok first off ive only played WoW now for almost 2 months so im still a newb at it. What keeps me playing this game for $15 bucks a month is the interaction i get with other players, graphics, and a little of the storyline. I like to explore new areas just to check out the landscape and different monsters that are around. Overall i think WoW has loads more to offer then other MMO's and that is why i keep playing.
djphatjive Mar 18th 2006 10:02PM
I think your previous post sums it all up.
http://www.wowinsider.com/2006/03/17/wow-moviewatch-busted/
Jonathan Mar 19th 2006 5:39AM
I'm one of those annoying academic types who likes to think about things like this and write the odd book, so take this however you want. ;-)
For quite some time social and cultural historians have noticed that what attracts people to things is not the aesthetic aspects, or even the immersion in the storyline, but the meaning that is created out of something.
My own playing of Warcraft suggests that I like the planning aspect of it - at level 38 I'm thinking about what I need to do to level, and what I can get done in a certain time. While I'm doing that I seem to get in to a sort of character, but it's not a fictional one - rather it's an idealised version of me, the 'me' I'd like to be.
I play solo in WoW, but I also like the social element. Even though I don't interact with other players (beyond resurrecting anyone I see lying dead or giving passers-by a buff - last night I helped a stranger complete a difficult quest in Desolace but didn't group with him to do it) I like the fact it's a shared experience that I can control.
And that's what recent research in to taste suggests is going on - we deem something to be tasteful or distasteful based on the social aspects. That's why, for example, pizza flyers are kept by people - not because they're well designed but because they offer a sociable experience (even when eaten alone) - see my article on the subject over at http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/002462.html
Meaning isn't contained in things themselves, but is produced when we consume them. Anything that allows for more meanings is likely to be more popular - hence why a book like the Da Vinci Code, hardly great literature but talked about with friends, becomes a bigger seller than more worthy books that force you into the author's view of things.
Because WoW simply offers a framework of a story, it becomes more meaningful than it would be if it offered a fairly rigid plot or progression.
I don't especially want to plug my own book but I explain it a lot better in 'Visual Communications' which is coming out soon - details on my web site: http://www.jonathanbaldwin.co.uk
slybri Mar 19th 2006 3:40PM
"pizza flyers are kept by people - not because they're well designed but because they offer a sociable experience (even when eaten alone)"
That's the funniest thing I've read all week! Thanks!
Abstract BS aside, I think WoW's popularity is it's ease of play, charming and simple artistic style of graphics , wacky sense of humor, the fast pace of it's combat system, and the addictive nature of it's looting system. Looting corspes is like hitting a slot machine, you could get junk or you could hit the EPIC jackpot. It's addictive, just like gambling. Also, NE chicks are hot.
Oh, and people keep pizza flyers because they have coupons, phone numbers, and a menu for pizza..which people eat because it tastes good.
The Davinci code is popular because it combines two things American's love: Murder Mysteries and Jesus.
bobilox Mar 19th 2006 4:31PM
Well, the graphics and game mechanics defintely have a bearing on why I play WoW instead of othere games. I tried EQ2 and it seemed bland and clunky in comparison.
I have relatives that play EQ2 and wish they would switch to WoW.
As to why I play computer games. I have always liked playing board games. Putting them on a computer made it so much more convient since you don't have to find people to play and it keeps track of everything for you. They also added a sense of exploration, since you can't see the enitre board right from the start, and a sense of accomplishment and self improvement to go along with the challenge of winning.
Funny how MMORPG games have revived the problem of getting people together to play. And I wonder how many people playing computer games have ever played board games or paper and pencil RPGs.