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The assumption is that progression towards realistic imagery is inevitable as technology advances at a drastic rate. Today’s home computer’s and next generation gaming consoles, such as Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Sony’s Playstation 3 and Nintendo’s Revolution are capable of producing graphics that are considered realistic enough to be indistinguishable from that of a photograph (Manovich, 2001, pg 184). Krotoski (2005) argues that in interactive entertainment, game developers will not only be focussing on photo realistic imagery but will explore and investigate other aesthetics. Computer game realism is fundamentally determined by the graphical quality of the game as “…seeing is believing�? (Low, 2001). However in controversial games such as Grand Theft Auto III and Manhunt, photo realistic graphics can have negative repercussions on gamers.
The concept of “Representation refers to the creation of meaning about the world through images�? (Galloway, 2004). The issue regarding this is whether or not computer graphics mimic reality, offering an unmediated truth about the world, or on the other hand acting as a separate medium existing apart from reality (Galloway, 2004).
An issue concerned with photo-realistic graphics is regarding the blurring between the gameworld and reality which can be harmful for children’s socialisation skills (Genetos, 2004, pg 12) by absorbing them into hyperreality. However, hyperreality acts for some as an escape from reality where they can see the outcomes of their actions as they are fully immersed (Douglas and Hargadon (2001, pg 160).
Douglas, J.Y. and Hargadon, A. (2001) “The Pleasures of Immersion and Engagement: Schemas, Scripts and the Fifth Business,�? Digital Creativity, vol. 12, no. 3, pg 153-166, retrieved October 22, 2005, from http://web.nwe.ufl.edu/~jdouglas/dc12303-Douglas.pdf
Galloway, A.R. (2004) “Social Realism in Gaming,�? Game Studies, vol. 4, issue 1, retrieved October 10, 2005, from http://www.gamestudies.org/0401/galloway/
Genetos, A. (2004) Neural Virtual Reality: A Dream or a Nightmare?, retrieved October 27, 2005, from http://www.student.virginia.edu/~ecouncil/wip/contents/alumniandfriends/papers/genetos_p.pdf
Krotoski, A. (2005) Photo-realism: Is it the Only Future?, retrieved October 27, 2005, from http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/games/archives/2005/10/13/photorealism_is_it_the_only_future.html
Low, G.S. (2001) Understanding Realism in Computer Games Through Phenomenology, retrieved October 27, 2005, from http://xenon.stanford.edu/~geksiong/papers/cs378/cs378paper.htm
Terence Otto 07:57, 28 Oct 2005 (EST)
