comment: >
context: Video games are meant to be an escape from reality.
  
  That's one of the things they can be good for, but it's not the only one. Just because you like them for that purpose doesn't mean that's the only way they can be.
  
  I don't want my game to be close to reality because reality sucks.
  
  Realism of artstyle has very little do to with the nature of the world, or your shitty life. I don't find this argument compelling.
  
  Nowadays you could a shitty video game but everyone flocks to it for its graphics.
  
  Could you give some examples? Games that are universally "flocked to" for graphics alone, while lacking in gameplay, story or anything else meaningful.
  
  Graphics don't matter. Gameplay does.
  
  Surely graphics matter to some extent. Otherwise, you'd be playing a text-based game. Nothing wrong with a text-based game, but I like that we have options.
  Graphics, as in, the technology that allows for the rendering of games is important. I don't care if the game has a realistic, or cartoonish artstyle, antialiasing is probably going to make it look nicer. Screen space ambient occlusion can make things eaiser to see - providing contrast that makes it easier on your eyes.
  Graphics matter in everything except text games. >
  
  Upvote for unpopular.
  In two games of equal quality in terms of everything you value in a game, would you still prefer unrealistic over realistic (assuming it was appropraite for the genre)?
  For example: would you play Red Dead Redemption II if it was cartoonish? I would have a hard time taking it seriously. >
  
  You know you can play games that don’t focus around realism right? Thats an option >
  
  I kinda feel you. I played Red Dead 2 and all I could think was “damn these environments are beautiful, makes me want to just go outside” >
  
  I have no problem with realism but I wish it wasn't the focus of so many games, and I also wish there was a broader definition of what realism was. It seems like most games are only focused on making games look more realistic, or adding the same gameplay mechanics to convince people the game is realistic, but not doing anything that stands out.
  I both want games that are more "abstract" and games that take realism to the next level. It would be interesting to play games with physics that can't exist and to play games that are closer to simulations. >
  
  Yeah I agree with you, either be abstract with interesting mechanics or good graphics with realistic physics or real world applications but good graphics without anything else going for it I would consider a failure because you can do both in this day and age honestly, that's why you have so many people on a single game, the developer's focus on gameplay and mechanics and the animators, modellers and design team on the graphics. >
  
  Agreed. I couldn’t play red dead 2 because the “realistic movement” felt like ice skates. I like when things feel crisp even if they aren’t “realistic” >
  
  That was my big problem with GTA V over San Andreas. If I wanted to go run people over in actual Los Angeles I'd just go for a drive on the sidewalk. >
  
  Im glad it is a thing its somsthing to look at i dont anny stare at a pixelated screennfor 8 hrs listwning to people talk in game i wanna be able to explkre la in gta v or explire bolivia in ghost recon cos its nice to take a break from the bull shit nd look at a nice sun set over the ciry skyline, 
  it also shows us how much our tech is advancing through time nd great the tech is becoming abd  makes excited for whats to come >
  
  I’m playing The Last of Us for the first time, with the PS5 remaster and the 3rd person stealth kills are honestly getting to me.
  I thought I was totally desensitized to video game violence after 20+ years, but something about the 3rd person cam and the fact that a LOT of the victims are regular humans, has definitely had an impact on me unlike most other games. >
  
  “Graphics don’t matter. Gameplay does” 
  Not necessarily true and it really depends on the gamer. If you want a game to be an escape fine. Find games that make you feel the way you want to feel. But, for me I like games with strong narratives, beautiful graphics and interesting characters as well as gameplay. 
  Play what you want, but don’t try to take away my escape which is different to yours. >
  
  I think of video games as a copy of real life being as close as possible as it can but without the negative consequences. >
  
  This. I think video games enable you to do all the immoral/unlawful things you couldn't do irl without getting arrested or killed. Also things you wouldn't be able to experience anywhere else bc they cost so much irl are possible to experience in video games. So they're like an alternative reality but with no rules or laws and with endless possibilities, especially open world games. 
  Also: personally I love realism. In art and in video games. >
  
  I don’t mind it as long as it doesn’t effect the gameplay that much. >
  
  Any time graphics is held above gameplay and/or story during development, the game majorly suffers >
  
  I almost exclusively play simulator games. I live for the realism. >
  
  Realism is a combination of graphics and mechanics though, so simulators have both. Take for instance a VR car simulator where you sit in the vehicle, can look around and everything is placed correctly and tr textures look amazing, but you can't change gears, accelerate, brake or do any of the other things you usually would be able to in a car, kind of pointless (unless it's intended to be a showroom kind of application rather than a simulator) >
  
  I really hate stamina in games for running and stuff, Its always the games that are all about running everywhere that force you to not always run too >
  
  I love when people dont understand what videogames are for "videogames are to shut off" "videogames are to escape reality" "videogames are this and that" stfu. Its a form of entertainment, video games are entertainment. Thats it. Also realism is not neccessarily graphics. Realism is physics + graphics and the general feeling you have in games. I like many games that have realism in them like games that just make you wreck and destroy things. Seeing my baseball bat cuddling with the face of someone as undeducated as your so they can finally have a good 12 hours of sleep is pretty realistic and ENTERTAINING. >
  
  Just play multidimensional chess on steam >
  
  I would agree with you if you weren't so extreme about it to say graphics don't matter and only mechanics do. Mechanics or a good storyline are important in any game depending on what kind of game it is but there's nothing wrong with graphics. And this is coming from a game developer.