The Evolution of Video Game Graphics Is Complicated
10,599The evolution of video game graphics has been a story of progress, stagnation, confusion, and certainty. It is absolutely incredible that we managed to come as far as we did, but even more so when you factor in the obstacles we had to overcome. We've done some pretty great things and had some pretty great ideas, and games look better now than ever because of it. But what's the next step? Where do we go from here? Why do all games look the same? Why aren't graphics getting any better? Is there a point to all this new fancy hardware? To raytracing? To streaming? Truth be told, I have no clue. But I'm certain we won't stop here.
Special Thanks to Ed Magnin!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He has been a video game developer for over 40 years, so Ed's your guy for everything gaming history! He is a truly passionate person who was a blast to talk to (our interview was 2 hours long)! And even after all this time, he still finds fun in making small games for mobile devices. Just goes to show, if you're happy with what you do, you'll keep doing it even when you don't have to!
Check out his website:
https://magningames.com/
Follow him on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ed.magnin/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/EdMagnin
Quora - https://www.quora.com/profile/Ed-Magnin
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmagnin/
Inspiration (Why make this video?)------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yo! Thanks for watching. I initially came up with the rough idea for this topic sometime in March 2022 after realizing that game graphics really don't push the pace like they used to. I questioned "y tho?" but never really put much thought into it and banished the idea to sit forever in the google drive folder “script ideas”. It wasn't until after I completed an internship in Silicon Valley as Digital Design Hardware Engineer and began my first semester of Graduate School, did I realize how much deeper the issue of slowing game graphics stems, and just how unmistakably tied to hardware it is.
As I learned more about silicon and digital design, prodded my advisor, and even wrote a technical paper or two, I came to realize, in its entirety, the situation at hand. I decided I had to get this video made. As of recently, I try to stay away from technical speak in my videos, but this topic was just too fun to pass up. If you're looking for a major after you graduate high school, or are considering a return to academia, computer engineering is the way to go if you have the guts to handle a tough degree!
Check Out This Quick RT Explained Video--------------------------------------------------------
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FMlPUEAZfs
Sources-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can find a link to my sources document here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQLR6EE-jf97pTcoZlNQTT1SI_2eRUPcfrdb8f2HRhewfEeN16aTTfGw9_qx6Th23QhJfJLp7Rp5_JZ/pub
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Thanks for watching!
00:00 The Situation at Hand
03:29 Graphics BOOTCAMP
06:35 What Even ARE Graphics?
22:30 Into The Future Ages
31:44 Stylism is Human
34:59 Graphics as Expressionism
36:15 Outro