Graphics vs Aesthetics

[Vesperia]

ArcheAge and Blade & Soul are examples of games with nice aesthetics that also require a fairly powerful computer. ArcheAge especially so. GW2 employees test using video cards that aren't even on the market any more. It's designed to run on average computers. Some people may not like their stylized approach to their art direction, but for it being designed to be so accessible, it looks amazing to me.

It's not a debate on which looks better.

I have a pretty low end computer and FFXIV seems to run fine on medium settings for me. So I shudder to think what demographic GW2 is targetting.

If a game targets really crappy PCs then it will only become out-dated faster.

[Gramul]

I shudder to think what demographic GW2 is targeting.

...You shudder? The very idea that GW2 wants to expand its player base to as many people as possible by making sure their visuals run well on old computers causes you to shudder?!

Aesthetics can't be outdated, they are not graphical components. It's just a use of visual style to grip the attention and imagination of their players. Some people will obviously get bored of it eventually, but good aesthetics are not so easily forgotten. That's exactly why games like Parappa the Rapper still hold a visually interesting motif. It's why games like Okami, will still keep people entertained even years from now. It's why Super Metroid can still give people a feel of exploring a bizarre alien world.

And yes. GW2 has an appealing design.

Amusement parks are fun. They amuse.

[Vesperia]

...You shudder? The very idea that GW2 wants to expand its player base to as many people as possible by making sure their visuals run well on old computers causes you to shudder?!

Gosh, it's a figure of speech.

But anyway, look at it this way, in pursuing one demographic you risk excluding the other group who would scorn playing a game with such inferior graphics. So technically it's not the smartest thing to do.

And yes. GW2 has an appealing design.

Amusement parks are fun. They amuse.

They can also make you hurl.

[Gramul]

Gosh, it's a figure of speech.

A very strong figure of speech.

In pursuing one demographic you risk excluding the other group who would scorn playing a game with such inferior graphics.

Few people are going to scorn the game because it has bad graphics. I mean, it works great for WoW.
As long as they can get people in with good (or at least attention grabbing) design, they won't care if it's made out of perfect blocks...and they don't!