It doesn't really need it yet. But do you tihnk Blizzard will make an upgrade to all the graphics eventually?

It doesnt really need it, of course it wont get it. Blizzard is a sequel company, they will make WoW 2 before they revamp WoW.

Besides, PC gamers are notoriously cheap, and most of them dont know what good computer specs are anyway, that is why most pc games come out low to mid range quality even though they have been capable of HD for years now. Dont expect an HD MMO anytime soon.

They do a graphical update in WotLK, if you are talking about a complete graphical rehaul i don't think so.

The graphics update in WotLK won't be significant.

I think they will play around with component sof the art style overall to make it a fresher experience than the original game but Blizzard, quite rightly, pride themselves on a game built for the largest cross section of PC set-ups to ensure mass appeal. Any significant graphics update may compromise that footprint and imbalance the games accesabiliity, especially between countries such as Europe/USA vs Russia / China where perhaps the disposable income to upgrade CPU and graphics cards is very different.

If you perform a graphical upgrade you lose subscribers. WoW is a world game and many people can't upgrade their pc's every few years. It would be unwise for Blizzard to upgrade.

The old cliche applies here, "If it isn't broke don't fix it."

WHen played at the usual camera distance, WOW still holds up just fine.  Of course when you zoom way in, the low poly count rears its ugly head, but when played normally its still a very pleasing game to look at.  The low poly count dissapears once you get far enough away from the characters anyway.  Sure the ground isn't as busy as newer games.  More plant life and clutter helps, but the art style doesn't need it.  With real shadows and some better lighting effects in WOTLK, there are a bunch of subtle effects that enhance what was already a pretty game.   A high poly option for player that smooths out the models would be nice, but it would be a whole lot of work for little payback.  Again, you really only notice it alot when objects are close up.

It'll NEVER look realistic, because it was never the style of the art.  

The game doesn't need one because the art more than makes up for the dated engine.

Originally posted by DeserttFoxx

It doesnt really need it, of course it wont get it. Blizzard is a sequel company, they will make WoW 2 before they revamp WoW.

Besides, PC gamers are notoriously cheap, and most of them dont know what good computer specs are anyway, that is why most pc games come out low to mid range quality even though they have been capable of HD for years now. Dont expect an HD MMO anytime soon.

HD is maybe posible for while but only for a few who have enough money to buy a high end machine.

Sinds lcd screens with 1900 resolution are not expensive anymore and graficscards like 8800gt or new ati cards are cheap HD becomes more available for bigger group of pc users in last years or so.

Most of players still have lcd screens with max 1280 or 1680 resolution and thats noT HD posible, plus your graficscard must support HD and many still dont have that.

Maybe in 2010 we gonne see games indevelopement that are more capable of HD, and more main stream have HD capable pc's.

Originally posted by Alekhin

If you perform a graphical upgrade you lose subscribers. WoW is a world game and many people can't upgrade their pc's every few years. It would be unwise for Blizzard to upgrade.

The old cliche applies here, "If it isn't broke don't fix it."

What I was going to say. WOW does not need it because of the way it is made. The graphics fit right into the storyline and game play. Updating graphics to a point where you start knocking off the older PC users would be really dumb on Blizzards part.

Strangely enough, I have grown to hate the Warcraft graphics, but find myself interested in Warhammer which is simular but has just the right edge to realistic fantasy setting that I love.

I tend to agree with those that say it doesn't really need it. WoW's graphics are unique and fit well still to this day.

That being said, I hope that WotLK brings decent improvments.

Art Direction >>> high power graphics.

I suppose WOTLK can use slightly highly poly count models but as long as it looks good, i don't think you really need ultra realistic graphics.

I would much rather to see more variation of graphics (more different looks of monsters, wackily looking zones ... ) than ultra detailed graphics with all sort of lighting & shading.

Well, WOTLK have some minor things in it to make more use of cards like the GF 8000 serie but Blizzard said that they were considering a big revamp and they will consider it for the next expansion too.

That is probably weasel talk for no, Blizz must have another game under development but anounced that WOW2 or World of Diablo or something is under work and will release ina few years would kill of their sale right now.

Of course, I can be wrong and they might throw in high textures and all the latest goodies in the next expansion in a year but I kinda doubt it. High end graphics have never really been Blizzards main selling point, they are trying for gameplay and art.

Originally posted by Evasia

Originally posted by DeserttFoxx

It doesnt really need it, of course it wont get it. Blizzard is a sequel company, they will make WoW 2 before they revamp WoW.

Besides, PC gamers are notoriously cheap, and most of them dont know what good computer specs are anyway, that is why most pc games come out low to mid range quality even though they have been capable of HD for years now. Dont expect an HD MMO anytime soon.

 

HD is maybe posible for while but only for a few who have enough money to buy a high end machine.

Sinds lcd screens with 1900 resolution are not expensive anymore and graficscards like 8800gt or new ati cards are cheap HD becomes more available for bigger group of pc users in last years or so.

Most of players still have lcd screens with max 1280 or 1680 resolution and thats noT HD posible, plus your graficscard must support HD and many still dont have that.

Maybe in 2010 we gonne see games indevelopement that are more capable of HD, and more main stream have HD capable pc's.

You quoted me and said what i said...

and most real gamers know CRT owns LCD in every way shape or form, and they have been cheaper then LCD since the very begining. And HD has little to do with the monitor and more to do with the videocard. A lcd that can only do 1280x720 which is 720p btw,  Is no different then an lcd that can do 1920 x 1080 because, the video card is HD regardless.

Besides, you cant see the difference between 720 and 1080 on a monitor, especially if you are sitting 2-10ft away from it.

MMO wont be getting a graphics overhual anytime soon, there arent enough people who have high end computers to make it productive, thats like making pc games vista only, it would be pointless and stupid.

There are simply a massive amount of gamers who don't have high-end systems, and one of the levels of appeal that WoW has is that you could play the thing on some brands of toasters.  Giving the game a graphical overhaul could very well alienate those players on low-end systems, and it would result is a big lop taken out of WoW's userbase.  And for what?  For shinier rocks?  For more realistic water?  It's not anywhere near worth the risk.

Here is the thing, I don't give a crap about some poor ghetto kid with a p3 800 and voodoo 3dfx card trying to play the game.  I want it to look awesome and be able to hold its own against the competition in the next few years. 

It would be a great move for them to make a High Res client, and it would definately add a few more years to WoW's life.   So yeah they should, it's the best selling game of all time and they keep it around alot longer that way.

Originally posted by ghettobooste

Here is the thing, I don't give a crap about some poor ghetto kid with a p3 800 and voodoo 3dfx card trying to play the game.  I want it to look awesome and be able to hold its own against the competition in the next few years. 

It would be a great move for them to make a High Res client, and it would definately add a few more years to WoW's life.   So yeah they should, it's the best selling game of all time and they keep it around alot longer that way.

I have to say that I don't only disagree with this, but I would actually go as far as say that you are wrong. Here's why:
Developing a hig res client would take a huge effort and would only cater to a small user group (people like you and me who either make lots of money, or who have a rig because we work with graphics) The so called enthusiast segment is extreemely small in comparison to what is called the "main stream" segment. The main stream segment have computers capable of running wow on high graphics, but that's about as far as it goes. As a final comment, I would like to add that I believe one of the big problems in the PC game industry is that they are pushing the graphics part too fast and therfore limiting sales to those that have money to upgrade their rig once or even twice every two years.

Originally posted by Dreamstrider

Originally posted by ghettobooste

Here is the thing, I don't give a crap about some poor ghetto kid with a p3 800 and voodoo 3dfx card trying to play the game.  I want it to look awesome and be able to hold its own against the competition in the next few years. 

It would be a great move for them to make a High Res client, and it would definately add a few more years to WoW's life.   So yeah they should, it's the best selling game of all time and they keep it around alot longer that way.

 

I have to say that I don't only disagree with this, but I would actually go as far as say that you are wrong. Here's why:
Developing a hig res client would take a huge effort and would only cater to a small user group (people like you and me who either make lots of money, or who have a rig because we work with graphics) The so called enthusiast segment is extreemely small in comparison to what is called the "main stream" segment. The main stream segment have computers capable of running wow on high graphics, but that's about as far as it goes. As a final comment, I would like to add that I believe one of the big problems in the PC game industry is that they are pushing the graphics part too fast and therfore limiting sales to those that have money to upgrade their rig once or even twice every two years.

Yeah because Blizzard just doesn't have enough money to do it...

Very good graphic cards are cheap and it is not expensive to build a top notch system now days. Plus it is not like they would only offer the High Res client, it would just be an option for those that could use it, like in LOTRO.  There would still be good ol Low Res WoW for those poor folks that can't afford the $150 for a decent card.

My argument is based on futureproofing WoW more than anything.

Well you got a point that it's something to do maybe one or two years from now, that would make sense to keep the game flowing with the timeline, if people stay interested that is. When it comes to being able to afford or not affording things, I wouldn't say it's really about that, it's more about what you would like to spend your money on. I am quite certain that as it stands, most of the playerbase would rather the developers focused on content than spend their time giving you and me awesome shinies for our overgeared rigs