A little poll

Say you're playing an FPS of some kind. What would you prefer: beautiful next generation graphics with loads of detail, running at a steadyish 30fps, or good looking but functional today's-tech graphics, running at a steady 60fps+ ?

I think I would prefer the detailed ones for two reasons:

1) The framerate will improve as hardware does, so the game will get better over time.
2) I feel that the game will be more immersive if I feel the environment is more believable.

Next Gen Graphics!! :D

60fps and a plot I can believe and get involved in.

I find that playing FPS at 30fps the controls do not feel responsive enough to get immersed in the game.

60 fps and gameplay.

I need go no further than Dungeon Siege 2 to explain this. DS2 has pretty average graphics, but the gameplay really carries it. It can be played on a huge-range of PCs.. all at decent framerates.

+BlackD

60fps all the way.

30fps is fine IMO, if the graphics are *that* good, but you still need a storyling.

And since this is about FPS? My head a 'splode.

I'll take 60 FPS or more thank you ;) Depends on how much detail we're talking about ... and also what kind of hardware you're aiming for. If you saying 30 FPS on a 1GHz machine then fine ... if you're saying 30 FPS on a 3 GHz machine then no ... that stinks.

Graphics make me play a title, gameplay makes me play it again.

I don't play FPSs but generally speaking I'd want 60fps and lots of the magic 'gameplay' ingredient. Anything under 60fps and/or constant drops in framerates and my brain shouts "This isn't real! This isn't real!" - which hardly helps immersion in a game. Not fussed about graphics, too much.

Nicely put.

60fps all the way! Some of you may have seen my game collection photo of nearly all FPSs since Doom, well I always lowered the options until it was smooth. This is essential in being able to play it well and accurately. Also in deathmatch games it is well known for people to lower all the settings, remove decals, explosions etc so the game world is really plain but you can see what you are killing easier. Cheating? Maybe?

I personally go for higher framerates, more responsive controls, that shiny bells and whistles. I'm not talking about putting that with pig ugly graphics - I just mean today's or even yesterday's technology. I think you can achieve incredible looks if you have a great artist and if the environment is interactive then I am challenged enough that I don't care about stencil shadows, millions of decals and bump mapping.

exactly. It's all about vibe. We know that some C64 games have more vibe than some modern games! The vibe can be good without technological graphics. You just need good level design, interaction, and not forgetting sounds and music (big mood setters). If you can marry all this will great graphics, then wow!

/me ques Evak, creator of blitz-artwork that reminds me of DX8+. :)

30 fps is enough for me if it looks next gen.

Singleplayer: Next gen graphics / physics.
Multiplayer: No less than 100 FPS, graphics can look like Legoland for all I care.

What gameplay?

functional today's-tech graphics, running at a steady 60fps+

da graphics, man... sorrrrryyyyy...

--Mike

Definately high-end graphics...we seen enough of "today-tech" graphics...bring on the big guns!

Definitely 60+fps!

I don't agree with the argument that the game will improve with the hardware (sorry Lee) because by the time the hardware improves, chances are you will no longer be interested in playing it - or a better looking FPS (running at 60+fps) will have come along.

IMO graphic quality should never take priority over higher framerates, ever.

I'd prefer a nice platformer or shootemup.

You graphics led lot are sad. How can you play with any real skill at less than 60Hz. You'll never get good at death match with 30fps.

I think 30 is fine for single player mode, but multiplayer needs a good framerate. So either make it scalable or settle for now-gen gfx.

No point me commenting. I'd just repeat the same thing.

Meh.
Whatever looks nice at the time, as long as they don't blow all their steam by making it caught up to today's technology... like they always do.
Low frame rates are usually symptoms of blown steam.

30 FPS is fine here. 60 is great, but 30 is perfectly bearable. The only time I find frame rates to be a problem (when they're over 25) is when they fluctuate.

30 FPS and graphics and gameplay please. Why not have it all. You only really notice 30FPS being slow on a TV if the framerate isn't constant. So if it never drops below 30 I doubt anyone would be able to tell, unless they had a 60FPS in the same room. The difference isn't enough for most people.

As long as the weapons and levels are well designed. Graphics can be sacrificed. They help, tremendously. But I'll do for gameplay.

If I can answer the question this way:

1) state of the art graphics, with a choppy frame rate never exceeding 30fps.
2) Good graphics with a constant smooth frame rate.

Definately number 2.

Although when I pay £30 for the latest game I expect a high steady frame rate with state of the art graphics.

This is why I tend to stick to console games. 99% of those run at nice frame rates with cool graphics :)

Mmm... yes, ROCK STEADY 30fps would probably be okay for me too, but so many games get choppy when things hot up. It's the one thing that takes me out of the experience more than anything else.

60fps EASILY and without a doubt!

What people fail to realise is that 60fps also means the gameplay will be more fluent. Who cares about the gfx when you can have silky smooth action.

I also disagree with Lee that the game will improve with the hardware, regarding PC anyway. The opposite will happen games will get jerkier trying to old games on new hardware.
Besides when games age and all gfx look dated, the higher frame rate game will play better.

Take MGS2 and MGS3 on PS2.

MGS2 60fps - slightly less better gfx than MGS3
MGS3 30fps - slighter better gfx

MGS2 plays better, much better. Compare that with Sonic Adventure 2 over 1. Sonic Adventure 2 plays better.

I wish there was a law against locking frame rates at maximum.