How can a videogame be in development for 5+ years, but have up to date graphics when it releases?
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Depends on the team and on the game but generally the final game’s look isn’t really done until closer to release. They have simple or placeholder graphics that allows them to quickly make changes to more core parts of the game (mechanics, characters, etc) and when they finally get a good grasp of what the game is suppose to be, then teams will start trying to figure out the look and feel of the world and characters in it. There have been a lot of cases where games originally were going to have one look but the team pivots to a different look for whatever reason later on in development.
Please please keep in mind that this isn’t a 100% thing. Game development is still an evolving craft/artform and so best practices are still being worked on. I am also not a game developer so take everything I’ve said with a massive grain of salt. Game development is a complicated process that involves multiple people with different disciplines so not everything is going to be clear cut.
Most games have similarly long development cycles for one
Another is graphics in many ways can scale
Textures can be replaced for example. So you can have a mediocre texture on a gun for 4 years of development then have a good one for the final year. This is why so many old games can have “texture packs” and look like new games. Look at Skyrim unmodded vs Skyrim with a texture pack.
Hell even Minecraft can look way different. All anyone did was change the block images.
Most games have similarly long development cycles for one
Another is graphics in many ways can scale
Textures can be replaced for example. So you can have a mediocre texture on a gun for 4 years of development then have a good one for the final year. This is why so many old games can have “texture packs” and look like new games. Look at Skyrim unmodded vs Skyrim with a texture pack.
Hell even Minecraft can look way different. All anyone did was change the block images.
Most games have similarly long development cycles for one
Another is graphics in many ways can scale
Textures can be replaced for example. So you can have a mediocre texture on a gun for 4 years of development then have a good one for the final year. This is why so many old games can have “texture packs” and look like new games. Look at Skyrim unmodded vs Skyrim with a texture pack.
Hell even Minecraft can look way different. All anyone did was change the block images.
I believe an ELI5 answer would be that Devs use tools to create graphical assets, like blender or Maya. These tools are updated regularly just like any other application, and as such when the game is released, the assets would look like they’re cutting edge because the tool they used was updated.
There is also the game platform to consider as well, but same thing, game platforms are updated too.
I believe an ELI5 answer would be that Devs use tools to create graphical assets, like blender or Maya. These tools are updated regularly just like any other application, and as such when the game is released, the assets would look like they’re cutting edge because the tool they used was updated.
There is also the game platform to consider as well, but same thing, game platforms are updated too.
I believe an ELI5 answer would be that Devs use tools to create graphical assets, like blender or Maya. These tools are updated regularly just like any other application, and as such when the game is released, the assets would look like they’re cutting edge because the tool they used was updated.
There is also the game platform to consider as well, but same thing, game platforms are updated too.
Visuals are far easier to replace then game logic most of the times. A visual update a year before lunch is doable, but not rewritting major game systems.
Dunno, but after a dozen years or so, Pantheon is dead to me, will never release…
Still love LOTRO, and SWTOR for the scenery and even gameplay.
Visuals are far easier to replace then game logic most of the times. A visual update a year before lunch is doable, but not rewritting major game systems.
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