I know perfectly what I mean when I say that "graphics aren't important": that photorrealism is a stupid obsession and that I would take accesibility and high performance on low end systems like mine over cutting edge graphics specially since we are talking about a freaking strategy game, which is one of the most visually abstract genre.

Now, proper graphic design is vital for videogaming nowadays: units and terrain types should be clean and distinct, interface shouldn't be cluttered, etc, etc. But all of it is a matter of design and skill, and it has nothing to do with graphic horsepower or even a a sense of beauty. Functionality >>>>>>> Eyecandy, performance should be paramount, always. I, for one, congratulate Firaxis for following this approach.


To be clear, your beef is not with graphics, but with performance.

Ironically, you'd get better performance with realistic graphics because realistic graphics are done better in 2D (pre-rendered 3D models in a 2D world, e.g. Age of Kings), not 3D, which takes up a lot of performance power.

That's why it's better to wait for the final release before complaining about graphics.

I'm pretty sure the screenshots you've been seeing around recently are the final graphics.

While I myself am disappointed in the 3D blocky models, its certainly a lot better than Civ4. The interface however is the best since CivII (for its time). CivIII was the worst, (Photoshops bevel and drop shadow should be banned!).

I've learned something new today, that's more important than whether or not Civ V has good graphics, I have learned that you can call a person whatever mean dirty thing you want, so long as you add an emoticon after the offending sentence.

And I think we all can agree, that that, is a lesson far more valuable than any others that can be learned from this thread.

Dont be so snide Blue snarc... :wavey:

I think the terrain art looks beautiful! I don't know what people are expecting if they think what they've seen isn't "up to par". Not all terrain is majestic - just look at the plains in Nebraska or something, "plain" is a pretty good description.

Here’s my take

I would like to see a graphic violence update. This is my ADHD perspective to the graphics complaint. It would be very cool to see:

Decapitations!!
More death animations. Better audible screams of agony and death would enhance this.
Water battles should show spreading blood and floating bodies! Pecking flying carrion eaters optional I guess.
Slow motion replays! Who wouldn’t want to see a slow-mo of a tank sabot round going through someone’s shield and the body behind it? Now that’s good stuff, all the way around.
Little cut scenes to put some weight to espionage missions. I wanna see the death and destruction of my poisoning of the water supply. Perhaps a take on Monty Pythons “bring out your dead” skit….
Barbarians should have all their own kill animations. Heck, all Civs should have their own, if not each particular unit. A lion eating a settler should be uber cool. Maybe it should leave behind a little family of rib cages for a turn or so to mark the occasion.
The downing of aircraft should also cause land damage from the crashing wreck. What should a crashing B1 filled with nukes do when hitting a hamlet?
Enemy unit XP might be indicated by the number of skulls hanging from the belt. Or perhaps ears or scalps would work too.


I think these things would be a good start for an improvement.

This is a famous alpha build:
http://www.myextralife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/starcraft_alpha_build.jpgSo I wouldn't trust alphas too much, they might be using civ4 terrain until they have a definitive version of their own.

That is 13 pages ago and on a totally unrelated subject, but you mean that once overlords could attack ? Oh god.

Graphics, like money, you will never be happy with what you have. Sure you can be happy but with inflation and the Jones you eventually need more. I fully expect to see people who LOVE the graphics of Civ 5 when its released in 5 years time state they can't play Civ 5 anymore because the graphics are so laughable.

Game of Pong anybody?

I would like to see a graphic violence update.

Perhaps it will come in a DLC pack. After all, violence is a natural part of history. And even with violence and blood, it's nothing that isn't seen on TV anyways.