Lo-res or Hi-res for AGS games?

poc301 · Mon 22/08/2011 12:03:42

Hi all,

With Murran 3 almost done in Beta, I am beginning work on Episode 4. This got me thinking... I've used v2.7 up till now and the highest res I could comfortably do is 640x480 (the game has been in production for years so the AGS version is old).

With my new game I plan on learning and using the latest version of AGS. I know this supports higher resolutions, but am concerned it would not be true to the old school game feel.

What do you think? Do you prefer Lo-res (up to 640x480) or do you prefer higher res AGS games?

Thanks,

Bill

Radiant · Mon 22/08/2011 23:50:23

First, 640x480 is hi-res where adventure games are concerned. Second, 2.7 also works with 800x600 if you want. And third, I don't think 1024x768 has much added value here. Focus on gameplay, not pixel count.

Derrick Freeland · Tue 23/08/2011 00:50:24

Personally, I'm a hi-res man myself. I think the old-school aesthetic holds some games back from reaching their full potential. Are you concerned that a full-res Muran game would look too different from previous episodes? If so, do you think that would pull players out of the game experience?

Snake · Tue 23/08/2011 03:48:43

I agree with Radiant.

QuoteI think the old-school aesthetic holds some games back from reaching their full potential.

Since we are talking about adventure games here:
When it comes to the game at it's core, graphics (although they do help with atmosphere), don't hold a candle to story-telling IMHO.
This may not count, but take books for example. If the story is immersive enough, you visualize/experience it in such a way that films will never touch.
I guess what I'm saying is, with low-res, if the artist knows a thing or two about what he's doing, things don't need to be in hi-res or HD for the player to know what they are looking at. Excluding most of today's generation, trusting that the story-telling is done well, the player won't even care what resolution the game is in - or at least shouldn't.

I think the problem here may lie in the fact that today's gamers rely/have it hammered in their brains by media and pop-culture that to receive the best playable experience it must have the sharpest visuals and environmental details as possible.

In conclusion, Poc, I deeply feel that going to a higher-res than 640x480 (or even 800x600), is as unnecessary as turning on and off the light switch five or six times before entering and leaving the room

poc301 · Tue 23/08/2011 13:22:25

Thanks guys. I will be keeping it at 640x480 for the next game

I really like the analofy about the book. Very good point.

Thanks,

Bill

Dualnames · Tue 23/08/2011 15:20:16

Quote from: Radiant on Mon 22/08/2011 23:50:23
First, 640x480 is hi-res where adventure games are concerned. Second, 2.7 also works with 800x600 if you want. And third, I don't think 1024x768 has much added value here. Focus on gameplay, not pixel count.

I have to say, that each time a topic like this, comes up, Radiant really gives the best answer, so kudos for that.

Igor Hardy · Tue 23/08/2011 15:52:52

Nevertheless, widescreen resolutions support should be of interest to AGSers given the direction computer screens have gone in recent years. Skygoblin's test version of AGS Editor with HD support seems to work quite well already.

Snake · Tue 23/08/2011 22:04:11

Quote from: Dualnames on Tue 23/08/2011 15:20:16
Quote from: Radiant on Mon 22/08/2011 23:50:23
First, 640x480 is hi-res where adventure games are concerned. Second, 2.7 also works with 800x600 if you want. And third, I don't think 1024x768 has much added value here. Focus on gameplay, not pixel count.

I have to say, that each time a topic like this, comes up, Radiant really gives the best answer, so kudos for that.

Well fuck you then

Derrick Freeland · Tue 23/08/2011 22:11:27

@ Snake

I agree that the story and ideas in our games are the most important element, but video games are (at least in part) a visual medium. Certainly good design is good design at any resolution, but I think that a higher resolution can open up a few more design options. Adventure games don't need to be HD (unless they're designed for it) or anything, but I think they should have a level of resolution that supports the artwork in them.

Babar · Wed 24/08/2011 00:10:49

They should also have a level of artwork that supports the resolution

Dualnames · Wed 24/08/2011 02:19:09

Quote from: Snake on Tue 23/08/2011 22:04:11
Quote from: Dualnames on Tue 23/08/2011 15:20:16
Quote from: Radiant on Mon 22/08/2011 23:50:23
First, 640x480 is hi-res where adventure games are concerned. Second, 2.7 also works with 800x600 if you want. And third, I don't think 1024x768 has much added value here. Focus on gameplay, not pixel count.

I have to say, that each time a topic like this, comes up, Radiant really gives the best answer, so kudos for that.
Well fuck you then

AHAHAHAAA. Oh, snake, you're so awesome.