Wednesday 16 July 2014

Why 2D graphics outlive 3D style

Why do 2D style games, always look good, while 3D gets so outdated? The first time I played tomb raider on the PS1, I thought the graphics was the best thing in the world.. It was, if you think about it.... it was the dawn of 3D gaming. Then over time it began to look really lame. So does that mean Tomb Raider for the ps4 will look bad in the future.

Tomb raider 1996
Tomb Raider Ledgens 2009

Tomb Raider 2013

Will Street Fighter 4 look like EX this to my kids?
Street fighter EX 1997
Street fighter 4 2009 



For some reason, when 3D graphics mimic 2D art style ( 3D cell-shaded), they age much better eg Zelda the wind waker, Jet Set Radio etc, look almost as impressive as the day it was created. Full 2d games seem age the best of them all eg street fighter tubo, alpha etc.

Street figher 2 turbo 1994

Street fighter Alpha 3 1998
The wind Waker 2002
Jet set Radio 2000

Notice the artwork looks pretty good from the very first picture



Any idea why this is so? This is what I think, 
2d drawing style has been around for countless years, so it more developed, also its just something about using simple stylised characters, keeps it fresh through out the years. 2D style is like art, and art is timeless, Example Vincent Van Gogh art, still looks good to this day and he died 1890.  3D technology hasn't been around that long, its still in a developmental stage. So in time 3D gaming should hit its peak, when it does I think it will age better.

ps. Don't me wrong, I love 3d :)




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