Simple enough question, or is it... We all know which Developers prefer, but in reality are they ALWAYS correct in assuming that visual effects are vastly more important than the auditory aspect of gaming? I intentionally posted this topic here for the "other halves" point of view to see if "out of the box" thinking is a priority for visual artists...

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Original post by GameGenie
We all know which Developers prefer, but in reality are they ALWAYS correct in assuming that visual effects are vastly more important than the auditory aspect of gaming?

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It depends on what you''re trying to achieve. A game like Thief depends on both to create it''s unique ambiance, while sound wouldn''t be as important to a game like Street Fighter. Also, are you referring to sound, music, or both?

I hate to say this but I think graphics is more important in games than sound is. Most people rely on their visual senses more than their hearing for information. I think thats why developers put more of an emphasis on graphics than sound. "There is more ''eye-candy'', more ''jaw-dropping graphics'' more this more that etc.." this is what users want to SEE. They want their visual senses excited. In terms of sound, as long as the user doesn''t feel deaf, he/she is satisfied. You can get by
in todays world with a game that has "Xbox quality graphics and SNES quality sound," but can''t with game that has "Genesis quality graphics and Dreamcast quality sound." But in answering your question, no, I don''t think they''re ALWAYS correct in assuming that visual effects are vastly more important than the auditory aspect. I think it depends on the type of game. Like if you''re developing a suspense/horror game, Resident Evil type, then sure. Sound and music play a big role in the game, just as much as graphics. Sound and music set the mood of the game. Nobody is going to be scared if Sonic the Hedgehog music is being played during a zombie scene. The user will be disgusted.
But if it was any type of other game, then sadly, visual effect are more important than the auditory aspect. My opinion. Sorry for my incoherent babbling

These are my opinions about the whole deal and I'm no professional... however, i agree with the post above about the issue. First off humans mainly rely on their sight to get a grip of their surroundings. Im fairly sure that there is much more brain power dedicated to the visual senses then any other (except maybe 'thinking' which expains why gameplay rules all ). Anyways i think this fact(?) is why graphics are considered more important. Unfortunatly for us small time hobbist developers getting stunning graphics is a near impossibility, so in that case sound may be used in a way to emphasise the game/gameplay to increase the desirability of the game. In that case then maybe the sound could be more important then the graphics, but not definatly. I know that before i ever download a game demo or sign-up for a mmorpg beta test i ALWAYS check the screenshots before deciding on whether to download it, but i never listen to sound clips, execpt in video clips of the game, but usually its overlayed with some sort of narrative, and i dont pay too much attention to the sound when evaluating the game, unless its noticibly remarkable. That said sound IS really important, i do like the way FPS games are beginning to focus on the way gunshots and bullet impact on different materials sounds (eg Raven Shield does this i think). In anycase although i do enjoy games with suberb soundfx and soundtracks, I dont really think audio stands a chance against graphics in the opinion of the casual gamer.

Thats all... I couldnt really think 'out of the box'... I tried but it was sound-proofed

[edited by - IllMind on February 27, 2003 12:36:52 AM]

i don''t believe you can place any of them higher. you need to really have each effect push each other. the movie the matrix is a brilliant example. the fights where brilliant, but what really made you go wow was the musical score and sound effects that went with it.

Cypher[Ae] - Define reality...

all aspects are important.you can´t divide it into more and less necessary.
the whole result should fit together.that´s what is called the atmosphere of a game...

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