There has been a lot of discussion recently about 2D graphics and whether or not Capcom should update them to the point where it reflects the technological capability of now.
But over all it just seems more distant that Capcom would attempt another venture into heavyily animated sprites that we had seen in the SF3 Series after it “failed”. A lot of people who taken the side of being a business, that option should never be used again…because of the niche market of 2D fighters and the potential loss of profit from it.
But without shiny new graphics to appeal to people who crave it, who’s going to play it other than the hardcore people? Even on a superficial level, graphics are the first things that impresses people regarding games in general. However as the years passed, the technology has opened up many routes and avenues on how SF can progress. Basically what do you want from it all?
Oh yeah I want discussion about what graphics you want…not whether or not Capcom should pursue getting new graphics or not. Enough threads about that already.
3D models, cel-shaded, rendered and implemented as sprites on a 2d plane. There you go, infinitely scalable and automatically generates as many frames of animation as you can stuff onto the disc.
How about both CPS3 and GG esque graphics.
That would be a breath taking game, if Capcom did things right, they could make a Street Fighter 4, or some other spin off with these graphics.
With today’s technology, it shouldn’t be that hard to make both High Res and beautifuly animated graphics.
Not unless it surpasses the memory alloted within the game.
CvS1 style graphics are fine with me (save for the reused Morrigan and Alpha characters). But if they must make a change, I’m all for polygonal cel-shading. Fuck all the 3D bashers, do whatever works.
The problem with 2D graphics is that it is possible to do everything in 3D. If there was some kind of artistic merit that could only be achieved with 2D animation that gave the game its own idiom thus making it stand out from others and attracted people to play it, then I would say 2D. However, I do not know of anything that is done in 2D that can’t be done in 3D, so I don’t see the point other than nostalgia.
Personally, I’m done living in the past. There’s nothing you can do there.
I’m not exactly sure how to vote. Personally, I’d like to see something of a cross between CPS-3 and GG. However, booda brings up a very good point. There really isn’t any marketing value in keeping the graphics in 2D. If there’s going to be any hope of attracting new gamers to the genre, then Capcom is going to have to go 3D.
Yeah, I’ve heard that rumor as well. Can’t say I believe it.
It’s not that 2D graphics have little/no marketing value, it’s just that it doesn’t do anything that can’t be done in 3D. Unless 3D somehow does not convey something artistically that can only be done in 2D, there’s no reason to do 2D. Assuming, of course, 3D is cheaper. You always go with what’s less expensive if you can.
The best arguments I can come up with against 3D graphics are also 2D-3D hybrids. Not video games, but cartoons. Invader Zim almost seamlessly blends 2D animation with 3D models. I don’t know how they decide when to use what, but I’ve noticed 3D models tend to be used more when there’s a lot of scaling and rotating going on.
Then again, not everybody likes the cartoon/anime look. First of all, anime tends to be catered mostly to Japanese audiences. This is why fighting games tend to have a lot of characters that Americans think are stupid. On the other hand, MvC2 has characters catered to American tastes. I would not be surprised if a successful Marvel game was created with cel-shading to make it look like a classic comic book.
There’s a lot to consider, and I don’t know all the statistics. Basically, I’m sick of dull-looking 3D games that seem too gray. That’s why I like 2D and cel-shading. Because they’re colorful, and fun to look at. So if I was making the decisions, I’d say the bright and colorful way is the best way to give the game its own idiom. Then, I’d choose whichever way was the least expensive. As far as I know, that’s cel-shading.
If they can capture the GAMEPLAY of 2D SF in a 3D celshaded SF, then I vote for celshading.
Celshaded 3D models that look like anime on 2D backgrounds would look breathtaking.
If Capcom choose 2D, then they should go for hi-res 2D graphics with regular amount of frames. Highly animated = a lot of money which means Capcom will most likely not go for this.
I think Capcom are gonna test the waters by making the next Darkstalkers game into a celshaded 3D/2D game. If they succeed, they will bring celshading tech to the SF universe.
Does anyone here like the graphics of Naomi boards? --> graphics of MvC2 comes from a Naomi board right? even if some people dont like this game for reason A or Z… the graphics look amazing good for a 2D fighting game (imo)
I wish the next Capcom games could have graphics like those (the backgrounds and stuff) and as far as sprites: GG series type, SF3 type, etc… should work just fine.
I surely hope not, besides that series is targeted mainly to the Japanese audience, and that target market still loves hand drawn traditional animation.
Hmmm, for the people that mentioned SF4 looking and feeling like an anime, that could very well be its marketing hook to attract more masses.You know how companies always come out with these “technical” names for their systems or graphics engine, Capcom could capatalize on theirs as being almost a playable cartoon. There are plenty of kids, who watch anime now (thanks to pokemom and cartoon network)adolescants and grown ups who grew up playing street fighter. If Capcom was smart, they could do something of the sort. Hopefully a GG-Cps3 hybrid, hehe
I like Naomi’s graphics, but they don’t compare to either GG or CPS3.
The Guilty Gear X series (X, XX, XX# Reload Red/Blue) for the most part were built on Sega’s Naomi hardware. Sammy’s Atomiswave is pretty much just Naomi/Dreamcast hardware. Capcom Naomi games look like CPS2 games (the sprites) because that’s how Capcom designed them, it has nothing to do with the actual hardware involved. Capcom just didn’t revamp the sprites most of the time, hell Capcom Fighting Jam runs on the same hardware that runs Tekken 4 and Soul Calibur 2, System 246, and that game still doesn’t compare to 3S.
