One of the issues with FFXIV...

[Azurymber]

Heavily biased nonsense.
Author seems to hold the belief that realistic graphics and physics are important.

they are because they create a sense of immersion into the game play. Look how many people are going crazy over how cool the new elder scrolls is just because it has dragons that can randomly pick up mobs and toss em around realistically.

That is clearly what NA gamers want because its what NA gamers buy.

[Gramul]

immersion

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[Azurymber]

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so what? Thats what NA gamers like. They want to feel like they are in the battle (COD), forging their own adventure in a dynamic world (elder scrolls, fallout), have realistic physics (nhl 2k12 fifa 2k12) etc. Games that make players feel like they are part of the game and not external to the game succeed in North America.
North American players do not want to sit there and hit enter for hours like it takes for crafting in this game.

[Adol]

Well I dunno about anyone else but... I felt pretty damn immersed in my gameplay while playing the TG-16 version of Ys I & II.
Screw graphics, give me a fun game.

Though I guess I don't fit Azu's demographic, considering I'm from the UK, not NA.

[Gramul]

so what? Thats what NA gamers like. They want to feel like they are in the battle (COD), forging their own adventure in a dynamic world (elder scrolls, fallout), have realistic physics (nhl 2k12 fifa 2k12) etc. Games that make players feel like they are part of the game and not external to the game succeed in North America.
North American players do not want to sit there and hit enter for hours like it takes for crafting in this game.

All joking over the "I" word aside, I think you're confusing immersion with engagement. Take Minecraft for example. Not a particularly "immersive" game. The graphics and physics are the furthest thing from realistic, but the game is engaging and has well over a million users.

A game doesn't have to have realistic graphics or physics to pull you in. Those are just aesthetic choices that should be used to complement the gameplay and create a strong overall aesthetic. Hell the best selling systems of the generation have been the underpowered ones with all the stylized games.
CoD:Whateverthecrap may be the best selling games at the moment, but that doesn't invalidate the popularity of other titles, nor does it mean that people like CoD or Skyrim for the realism.

[Konachibi]

Whenever there is a problem most North American companies -usually- ignore and hope everyone getsd so fed up of it that they stop talking about it.

Fixed that bit for you

*coughblizzardcough*

[Konachibi]

they are because they create a sense of immersion into the game play. Look how many people are going crazy over how cool the new elder scrolls is just because it has dragons that can randomly pick up mobs and toss em around realistically.

That is clearly what NA gamers want because its what NA gamers buy.

NA gamers want blood, gore, sex and violence in their video games. If they can shoot someone with a 'win-button' gun then make fun of them either through tea-bagging, shouting abuse or some other means, they will love that game till the end of time.

People with real taste want a game that's enjoyable, fun and original, not "Call Of Duty 523 - Yesterdays Warfare (but with slight changes to the graphics engine)" or 'Battlefield 23 - Look Mommy I can Drive Tanks & Blow Up Buildings'.

[Aenarion]

hey now, I enjoy those games too, why does it have to be one or the other? :P

[Konachibi]

they are because they create a sense of immersion into the game play. Look how many people are going crazy over how cool the new elder scrolls is just because it has dragons that can randomly pick up mobs and toss em around realistically.

That is clearly what NA gamers want because its what NA gamers buy.

I remember Final Fantasy 7, which had no realistic physics or graphics, and that was heralded as one of the most immersive RPG's of all time.

I remember Resident Evil 1, which was quite unrealistic, but sparked a whole new generation of horror games.

I remember Super Mario 64, which had no real physics at all and was far too colourfull to be healthy, but was influential enough to cause many games companies to begin developing more 3D adventure games.

I remember Devil May Cry, which was completely over-the-top, but was enjoyable and 'immersive' enough to spawn 3 sequals and have other companies make similar games like Dante's Inferno and Bayonetta.

Star Wars, Turok, Gundam, American McGee's Alice, Silent Hill, Heroes Of Might & Magic...

All things that don't have realistic physics and graphics. Graphics and physics have no effect on video game immersion, the only important thing is that the game has to be GOOD.

[Konachibi]

hey now, I enjoy those games too, why does it have to be one or the other? :P

*pats*

We all have our faults...

j/k