Graphics Vs. Aesthetics

r13

On Penny Arcade’s TV, Extra Credits has a must watch video on the topic of graphics versus aesthetics.

As amateurs and professionals alike, I’m going to ask all of you to watch this video and pass it around to everyone. As we are obviously focused on making the graphics part of games, this short essay is great on giving perspective on where they fit within the broader vision of whatever you are working on.

Please. Watch this video.

Danielmn

great discussion... listening to these guys every week is a must

bounchfx

Thanks for sharing this rogue. It's an argument that comes up pretty often for me, and this video does a good job of explaining the difference.

Lazerus Reborn

I do love these gents. Seems I've got alot of there vid's to catch up on

JR

Excellent video and explanation. Loved it.

confracto

this is exactly the reason I hate elder scrolls games....great graphics, bad aesthetics.
great video tho, thx for sharing

Fomori

Amen.

Fartuess

Are they still creating new videos? I watched it earlier on escapist magazine web page but i can't find it anymore.

spitty

yeah they're on penny arcade now. http://penny-arcade.com/patv/show/extra-credits

MaVCArt

great video, i'll make sure to share this even though div 2 is on their bad side

Micah

Uhh about time! Sent that to everyone I know.

MortalJohn

Extra Credits is a great production, always releasing weekly must watch content!

Mask_Salesman

So many franchises ignore this ; And it's so important.

Nix

The point they're making is of course great and completely correct, and something I think a lot of us have been saying forever.

I'm not sure where the sudden distinct definition of the word "graphics" comes from, though. I tried to look it up, but saw nothing to suggest the word means anything more specific than simply "pictures". Perhaps it would've been a good idea to clarify that this is a definition of the word they would -like- to see, rather than one that already exists in the English language. Because I haven't found any evidence that it does.

I could be wrong, though.

yodude87

fantastic vid, agree with it 110%

Moosey_G

Sometimes this series cannot remember the line between fact, opinion, and theory, but this is definitely one of their better episodes.

purehilarity

Where do games fall that are attempting a truly "realistic" experience? If the lighting becomes super contrasted all the time and has a beautiful palette, is that realistic? Not trying to troll, just something I honestly wonder...