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And like it or not, that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the square footage of teh game, or how expansive it is or anything.
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it has nothign to do with that and that's just a cop-out. It's because oblivion was started back in 2003, over 3 years ago, in addition the game itself is so MASSIVE that they can't possibly reach the same graphical level as other smaller console exclusive games, even if it WAS a exclusive. Which it's not, it's a PC game developed concurrently, which again will contribute to the GFX being less than they could be.
All that does not change the fact that Oblivion will not even be close to the most graphically impressive game next year. Which is completely understandable given the size and scope of the gameas I've always said.
at first your saying that the square footage has nothing to do with the graphics, but then at the end of your post you point out that because the game is so massive it cant possibly reach the same graphical level of console games containing smaller levels.
also about oblivion development starting over 3 years ago doesnt change the fact that its still running on a next gen engine that many future next gen titles will be using. most games of that size from concept to final code will take multiple years.
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By your definition, GTA SA was the most 'graphically impressive' game last generation. Do you realize how as-backwards thgat is? The most impressive graphics on XBOX was a game called Splinter Cell 3 with like 12 levels that probably spanned all of .1 sq miles.
THe GRAPHICS of FN3 are superior to the GRAPHICS of oblivion. The fact that there are more of something, or that you are existing in a bigger world, does not make the graphics suddenly more impressive! It simply makes the game itself more impressive.
By your definition, a text-based game with 8000hours of gameplay and 500sq miles of land to explore would be the most 'graphically impressive' ever released. lol
never have i said that GTA was the most impressive game of the last generation, in fact it looks like ass IMO. however if GTA was cut into 12 levels the same size of those in splinter cell, then i can promise you it would look a whole lot better. you point out how splinter cell was the most graphically impressive game on the xbox, very true, however if all of the levels in splinter cell were grouped together in a massive stage the size of the island of morrowind, then it would look horrible compared to how it currently looks.
of course the graphics in FNR3 "look" better then those in oblivion but that is not to say that they are more impressive. you can not compare a scene with only two main character with controlled lower detailed environments to a huge sprawling out door scene with a huge forest to render (not counting other characters, animals, monsters, etc.). the fact that there is more of something, or that you are existing in a bigger world, does make the graphics more impressive if you can keep a level of graphical quality throughout the entire game at a high level. and again just because a game contains 8000 hours and is 500sq miles doesnt make the graphics impressive at all, its how the game looks being that big that is the impressive part. to compare FNR3 and oblivion on an even scale would be to imply that FNR3 level of graphics is possible on an oblivion type game, it is not and wont be, not in this coming generation atleast.
if size makes no difference on the graphics then why doesnt all the splinter cells have each level connected (where possible)? because its not possible, that is what is taking place during the load screen. textures, shaders, polys, the graphics are being re-loaded into every new level and since a much smaller area is only being loaded the system can concentrate more GPU resources to only that level. that is why "sand-box" type games always look sub-par compared to games that have a more linear and controlled architecture. the single levels in splinter cell dont have to shair the resources of GPU with a 16 mile world like they do in oblivion. its quite simple actually, the bigger the level/world/scene, the more you have to spread out your resources and power hence not being able to achieve the same level of detail since there is more of the world being rendered at once.
im not arguing with you and respect you enough not to flame, but you really arent understanding some things here and i only hope that someone else can come in and explain it to you differently then i. maybe then you will understand why i believe that oblivion is so graphically impressive.