Breaking down some of the screenshots

[Quesse]

It's Alpha, def not on high settings, still looks amazing

It has the possibility of looking amazing if the textures aren't crap. I am a bit worried that making a more accessible game engine also means dumbing down the graphics. Hopefully it simply means streamlining or making the code more efficient. While I agree it is probably 'alpha' I find it hard to agree that someone would purposely take screenshots on medium settings. As is, the textures are pretty hideous x_x

[Croy]

It has the possibility of looking amazing if the textures aren't crap. I am a bit worried that making a more accessible game engine also means dumbing down the graphics. Hopefully it simply means streamlining or making the code more efficient. While I agree it is probably 'alpha' I find it hard to agree that someone would purposely take screenshots on medium settings. As is, the textures are pretty hideous x_x

As others have mentioned their production work station is designed to show stuff off at only standard quality/mid range settings. There is no way they are going to downgrade the textures, they will make it available for higher end computers if they can use them. Honestly for once its refreshing to see a company not bullshot the hell out of game screens where only but a few can see it that way, but at the same time seeing these reactions I know why most companies do use bullshots.

[Ikea]

As others have mentioned their production work station is designed to show stuff off at only standard quality/mid range settings. There is no way they are going to downgrade the textures, they will make it available for higher end computers if they can use them. Honestly for once its refreshing to see a company not bullshot the hell out of game screens where only but a few can see it that way, but at the same time seeing these reactions I know why most companies do use bullshots.

That's exactly it though, since everyone else is showing their games at almost unrealistic graphic settings, you would assume that SE is doing the same, if not stated otherwise. I mean, why put yourself in a worse light than other games? However alot of people are saying the same thing you're saying, that they usually show stuff of at standard settings. If that's the case, everything is fine and dandy and we'll all hold hands and 'stuffz', it's just that you can't really assume that video game companies are going for a "realistic" approach when showing of their games. Blame them ebil game companies!

[Biggs]

That's exactly it though, since everyone else is showing their games at almost unrealistic graphic settings, you would assume that SE is doing the same, if not stated otherwise. I mean, why put yourself in a worse light than other games? However alot of people are saying the same thing you're saying, that they usually show stuff of at standard settings. If that's the case, everything is fine and dandy and we'll all hold hands and 'stuffz', it's just that you can't really assume that video game companies are going for a "realistic" approach when showing of their games. Blame them ebil game companies!

Because one of the major complaintes about the game when it first released and even long after was that it consumed a gigantic number of resources from Pc's and that only those that could afford high end rigs could play it. It would make perfect sense to me for them to show people that the game is not only getting upgrades content-wise but is also now more accessable to many different types of players. At least, thats what I saw as a possibility. People already know the game is fantastic looking, and look what that got them? WHy would you go out of your way to highlight the graphics when that wasn't enough to keep people playing your game the first time?

[Ikea]

Because one of the major complaintes about the game when it first released and even long after was that it consumed a gigantic number of resources from Pc's and that only those that could afford high end rigs could play it. It would make perfect sense to me for them to show people that the game is not only getting upgrades content-wise but is also now more accessable to many different types of players. At least, thats what I saw as a possibility. People already know the game is fantastic looking, and look what that got them? WHy would you go out of your way to highlight the graphics when that wasn't enough to keep people playing your game the first time?

Because instead this might scream "Hey we tried good graphics before and it didn't work, so this is now the best you're gonna get cause we can't cram in better graphics cause the game wouldn't be playable" rather than "Well of course this is standard settings, we have waaay better settings for the guys with 10 x 7970 graphic cards"

I don't think it's a bad plan to do the whole "This is how the game is gonna look on your everyday computer, it's this awesome" but you kinda have make sure people are aware of the fact that is not the best settings, cause of you know, the reasons I stated in my last post.

And maybe they made the people at E3 aware of that and we didn't get the memo, I can't say that's not a possibility. But releasing shots and assuming people understand it's not the highest setting is, to me atleast, common sense.