Demand For Realistic Graphics Has Led To Long Development Times, Says Dev

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Abiyan

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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AAA gaming has landed in a spot where most developers are unable to launch more than two major titles in a single generation. This has upset some fans, but most fandoms have cornered the developers with their expectations.

A developer who worked on titles like Baldur’s Gate 2 recently elaborated on this subject. He clarified that fan demand for hyper-realistic visuals is one reason that developers are forced to spend years upon years on each new AAA release.

Why it matters: The lack of similar expectations for indie/AA games gives them an edge. This is also why indie games are often able to concentrate on creativity over impressive visuals.

Mark Darrah has extensive experience with the industry and has worked on games like Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, and Baldur’s Gate 2. He has made a massive video recently, delving into the subject of AAA games taking too long to make.

Mark Darrah explained that most of the developers are trying to achieve hyper-realistic art styles, hyper-high fidelity, and hyper-customization, which he calls the fidelity death cult.

To achieve such goals, game development needs a lot longer than in the past. For example, he describes how modern developers carefully think about small elements like hair movement.

This would not be a huge problem in the past, with developers relying on a hair cap for the simplest solution.

These things, while they don’t help you make a forever game, they still take a lot more time.

-Mark Darrah

He further discussed how the industry is seeing pushback from gamers when developers try to reuse the same assets in sequels. However, when games rely on brand-new assets, it can take a lot longer to create sequels.

Other developers have made similar observations in the past. It’s no secret that AAA gaming is headed toward a concerning future, whether it be due to the ballooning scope of new releases or the outrageous budgets.

Over the years, new releases like Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, and more have taken nearly 10 years to create. Even Nintendo, a gaming giant that rarely gives raw visual fidelity any thought, took nearly 7 years to release the critically acclaimed Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Abiyan

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Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

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