About The Graphics of Civ VI

[6uho Koe]

If I remember correctly, trees in Civ5 are not 3D objects, but 2D sprites. So they have many details with low graphics load, but no advanced 3D features like camera rotations will work with them.

Yes must be. I remember downloading a mod for civ v that replicates the camera rotation from civ iv, which I missed. When I rotated, everything looks terrible. Even some textures like trees became flat cardboards. Even the cities look off. That would explain why they got rid of camera rotation in v.

 

[Toulouse]

PATTIE HELP, I'VE FALLEN INTO A TIME WARP!

...I'm not sure what's going on, but judging by this response, I've clearly been thrown 4-5 years into the past!

In all seriousness though, it has began. Civ VI, as is traditional, is the worst of the series. People don't even need to play it to know that, just look at those graphics! How dare they go for a clear and consistent art style with aesthetic value!

This, this is true beauty:

What's laughable about your choice of Civ IV screen is that it doesn't support your snark. Because if you zoom down you'll see some interesting, realistic animations of life-like units such as SAM infantry, buildings, oil wells, rivers flowing to the sea, etc.

Six years ago we had Civ V, a step forward in art direction, but which failed epically as an interesting strategy game, until many patches DLCs and the G&K expansion. Today, we have the cartoony art stylization of Civ VI, inspired by popular action games like World of Warcraft, DOTA etc. We simply don't know yet about game play. The art design for Civ 6 is a big unforced error in design for this strategy game, but it's not the last word on Civ 6.

 

[StrideColossus]

The art design for Civ 6 is a big unforced error in design for this strategy game

Um, says who? You might not like it, that's fine, we're all entitled to opinions, but why is it an 'error'?

The majority of forumistas seem fine with the 'cartoony' art style as you pejoratively refer to it, the pre-order is selling well as far as I can tell, pre-reviews are pretty positive, so where's this error?

 

[Xyriach]

I find it abhorrent that in Monopoly I have to play as a dog. A dog can't make property purchases or order the construction of hotels.

Wholly unrealistic and completely ruins the immersion. Absurd.

 

[Toulouse]

I find it abhorrent that in Monopoly I have to play as a dog. A dog can't make property purchases or order the construction of hotels.

Wholly unrealistic and completely ruins the immersion. Absurd.

Yeah why do we have giant units running around in Civ -- absurd, yeah? . The only thing worse would be giant, cartoony units running around in Civ...

Um, says who? You might not like it, that's fine, we're all entitled to opinions, but why is it an 'error'?

The majority of forumistas seem fine with the 'cartoony' art style as you pejoratively refer to it, the pre-order is selling well as far as I can tell, pre-reviews are pretty positive, so where's this error?

It is a cartoony art style and no doubt many are quite happy with the choice, a majority even. the fact that many are not happy is also quite clear. That seems like something that could have been prevented with a bit more care on Firaxis' part. But it's their vision, and as you point out, it will sell well if for no other reason the success of the concept and previous iterations. The quality of game play experience remains to be seen.

 

[God of Kings]

I for one very much enjoy the art style of Civ VI.

It helps that I grew up with Nintendo games.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

That seems like something that could have been prevented with a bit more care on Firaxis' part. .

Nonsense. Some people won't be happy no matter what you do.

 

[wiggawuu]

Um, says who? You might not like it, that's fine, we're all entitled to opinions, but why is it an 'error'?

The majority of forumistas seem fine with the 'cartoony' art style as you pejoratively refer to it, the pre-order is selling well as far as I can tell, pre-reviews are pretty positive, so where's this error?

the vast majority hated the graphics upon release. What are you talking about? If anything people have no choice to accept it at this point. They are what they are. Time to move on.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

the vast majority hated the graphics upon release.

source?

 

[UncivilizedGuy]

source?

Put it this way, in terms of what people seem to be emotional and vocal about, and this is just my observation hanging around these forums:
When Civ 5 was released the most consistent complaint was the lack of content. There appears to be a consensus. With Civ 6 there seems to be a consensus about the poor choice of art style.
Civilization is a strategy game. Strategy gamers are generally not into cartoony games. Just an observation. But what is obvious to me is not necessarily obvious to other people I suppose.

 

[dexters]

I for one very much enjoy the art style of Civ VI.

It helps that I grew up with Nintendo games.

One thing I'll say on that is Civ 6 looks vibrant and alive. My preference for more realism aside, I'm not a huge fan the grays and browns smeared all over the screen in modern AAA games.

Granted a more realistic looking Civ can still certainly look gloriously vibrant as evidenced in what Firaxis was doing 15 years ago with the city view in Civ3

 

[stealth_nsk]

Put it this way, in terms of what people seem to be emotional and vocal about, and this is just my observation hanging around these forums:
When Civ 5 was released the most consistent complaint was the lack of content. There appears to be a consensus. With Civ 6 there seems to be a consensus about the poor choice of art style.
Civilization is a strategy game. Strategy gamers are generally not into cartoony games. Just an observation. But what is obvious to me is not necessarily obvious to other people I suppose.

I don't think so: http://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/what-do-you-think-about-graphics-of-the-game-poll.568176/

 

[gunnergoz]

It looks good enough and hopefully can be modded to suit tastes a bit better. The style has grown on me a bit. TTTT I'm more bugged by the cartoonly leader portraits.

 

[stealth_nsk]

I don't think so: http://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/what-do-you-think-about-graphics-of-the-game-poll.568176/

Also, dont forget - the poll was way before the flood of let's plays. I guess by this time a lot of people get accustomed to the new style and the results would be even more favoring the new graphics.

 

[dexters]

Also, dont forget - the poll was way before the flood of let's plays. I guess by this time a lot of people get accustomed to the new style and the results would be even more favoring the new graphics.

I've largely avoided over exposure to a game before release as I've been burned before but what swayed me was the first time we saw the graphics in motion at E3. And the previews from YouTubers. The bits of video since them only reinforced the view.

Aesthetics aside, the game just looks freaking smooth and incredible. Visual fidelity is highly underrated. Playing this on a 1440p gaming monitor and or large screen monitor Is going to be amazing

 

[SammyKhalifa]

I've largely avoided over exposure to a game before release as I've been burned before but what swayed me was the first time we saw the graphics in motion at E3. And the previews from YouTubers. The bits of video since them only reinforced the view.

Aesthetics aside, the game just looks freaking smooth and incredible. Visual fidelity is highly underrated. Playing this on a 1440p gaming monitor and or large screen monitor Is going to be amazing

Ha, yeah, I'm not going to say that I blew like 400 dollars on a 1440p IPS display just for this week, but . . .

 

[UncivilizedGuy]

Also, dont forget - the poll was way before the flood of let's plays. I guess by this time a lot of people get accustomed to the new style and the results would be even more favoring the new graphics.

That thread is what I'm referring too. Many people did not like the art when they first saw it. They had to get used to it. I'm in that crowd. The consensus seems to be mediocre at best. Also that poll is based on a scale of 1 to 10 and doesn't have a mediocre choice spelled out as a selection. Sort of puts people in the "like it" or "dislike it" categories.

 

[gunnergoz]

Before I forget, I'm still up in the air about the fog of war representation. I like the unexplored area being shown as an ancient map, but the "explored but currently out of sight" areas are not being shown in a way that appeals to me much. I'd prefer something different that cannot be confused with the unexplored area so easily.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

Before I forget, I'm still up in the air about the fog of war representation. I like the unexplored area being shown as an ancient map, but the "explored but currently out of sight" areas are not being shown in a way that appeals to me much. I'd prefer something different that cannot be confused with the unexplored area so easily.

Yes! I'm going to have to play myself to see what I think about it. The map looks sweet but I'm not sure about differentiating the "fog" areas at a glance.

 

[Menzies]

What's laughable about your choice of Civ IV screen is that it doesn't support your snark. Because if you zoom down you'll see some interesting, realistic animations of life-like units such as SAM infantry, buildings, oil wells, rivers flowing to the sea, etc.

Six years ago we had Civ V, a step forward in art direction, but which failed epically as an interesting strategy game, until many patches DLCs and the G&K expansion. Today, we have the cartoony art stylization of Civ VI, inspired by popular action games like World of Warcraft, DOTA etc. We simply don't know yet about game play. The art design for Civ 6 is a big unforced error in design for this strategy game, but it's not the last word on Civ 6.

My favourite part of the realistic art styles in Civ IV were the cartoony figureheads with their over the top motions and expressions, while with Civ V I loved the realism in the Giant Death Robots and Xcom units. At least we can all agree that the realistic representation of units size has been maintained for another version, though I fear that we've lost the endless cloud columns that fall on unknown lands and eternal darkness upon those I cannot see.