Gameplay can't be 100% realistic, but could it get close? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

Gameplay can't be 100% realistic, but could it get close? Stuck

Posted on February 20, 2009 at 11:11 AM.

(11)

I want to start this blog out by making the most obvious statement of the year, it just has to be said.

Gameplay cannot be 100% realistic in a video game because the medium simply does not allow for such realism. Rather, think about it this way....the only way for MLB: The Show to be 100% realistic is to actually be able to look at the field the same way Josh Hamilton could while smelling the smell of the stadium and feeling the same heat of the hot Texas sun. That's 100% realism because it's 100% real.

Games can't be 100% real. So with that said, how close can they get? Yesterday, I proposed games could get to 80-90% realistic before topping out on the fun factor...but I need to modify that scale a bit. The end of the scale can't be 100% realism but 100% 'possible realism', that is, the doable amount of realism possible in a game.

So I have two questions for you all to ponder. First is my theory correct that you can't achieve 100% realism? And secondly, how close to 100% realism is the top of the 'possible realism' scale located in your opinion? Let's discuss!

Comments

# 1 SwinginAs12 @ Feb 20

Your correct about how it's impossible to reach 100%. Yet the closest you can get is taking away the impossibles like the smells and temperatures. This is the closest you can get. But sometimes if your so realistic, what happens to those people who are more for the 30-1 scoring baseball games?

# 2 allstar3970 @ Feb 20

its like on the NHL board where everybody wants fully realistic board play and loose puck physics which would in turn make their 10 minute period games into all 1-0/2-1 games. Then there "wouldnt be enough scoring" And i guarantee nobody (me included) would want to play full 20 minute periods to get realistic stats.

# 3 Shinyhubcaps @ Feb 20

You are correct that games cannot be 100% realistic, but the "possible realism" can get to about 95%. I mean, the developers and producers can give us surround sound, realistic lighting, etc., but if I want to play a baseball game with a hot dog and a $6 soda on my lap, I can. (I have played MLB 08 whilst wearing my authentic Brewers jersey...)

I think they would rather work on making it like you're watching on TV rather than being there live, but in the right atmosphere, you can jazz up your gaming experience however you want to make it more real. Fun factor aside, developers could make it 95% like going to a game and 98% like watching a game on TV (no commercials or TV timeouts).

# 4 allstar3970 @ Feb 20

J.R. the issue in the example of NHL with stoppages and everything would take almost an hour and a half to play a single game. With the inability to save mid game, its just not feasible for everybody who dont have an incredible amount of time to game. I would bet the # of people who play full quarters in all their sports games would be in the vast majority, though if you can definitely more power to you.

# 5 allstar3970 @ Feb 20

sorry, meant would be in the vast MINORITY

# 6 Cardot @ Feb 20

I suppose 100% realism would be Star Trek Holo-decks. I would say we are technologically quite a ways off from that.

But I think current video games could be much more realistic from a results standpoint. In fact, dice & card games from years ago such as Statis-Pro baseball were pretty "realistic" from a results perspective. With that being said, video game producers have many more demands to contend with such as graphics, online components, mini-games, rpg modes, franchise modes etc.

# 7 thudias @ Feb 20

80%

# 8 tril @ Feb 21

realism is different for every single person.

personally an enjoyable sports game, offers a decent challenge, has enough highlight type of plays and as far as stats go, this will vary greatly.
as a 10-18 year old I would most obviously think that Lebron scoring 40 every game, shooting 70% or better from the field would be realistic.
As a person gets older realism changes, because folks begin to better understand the intricacies of a sport or what ever topic that they are interested in. Intricacies include how weather, fatigue proper defenses are applied in a constant game changing situation.

I do think sports games have yet to reach their full potential when it comes to realism. The technology does exist. 2k9 on the pc version is a perfect example of this , and touches on this aspect of realism.
As AI improves and processing power improves thse games will no doubt become more realistic.

It may be a new start up company that gives us true realism. Sort of like when 2k stepped on the scene.

# 9 turftickler @ Feb 21

I agree with tril. I can't stand playing NBA 2k9 online anymore. It seems like all I play against is young dudes that full-court press, double team and abuse Kobe, Lebron, or Yao.

# 10 NAFBUC @ Feb 23

'realism is different for every single person' posted by trill

Excellent post trill and a great debate blog topic MMCHRISS.

Operations Sports is a great example of age disparity. We have members, I would imagine, that range from 10 to 65 yrs old. But we do have a common theme, sport games. As trill expressed, because of our age range, a realistic sport games would take on many different values and expectations. What is funny is that many of the sport titles will take two steps forward and then take a step back as far as realism.

Lets hope the current hot sport titles can progress to that realsim goal without all the backward movement.