What Does Photorealism Even Mean?
In the most literal sense, photorealism simply means “realistic lighting”.
The same way that your eyes work to form an image on your retina.
Thus, when your brain sees a photograph, you perceive it as an image of a real object.
This has pushed games closer to complete photorealism than ever before.
Photorealism Is Mundane
The thing is, by its very nature, true photorealism is mundane.
If you want to see photorealism, look out the window.
Rarely do media creators aim to put on-screen what the eye sees.
This is even more critical for video games, where the character is in control of the camera.
That’s why every direction you look in a game likeHorizon Forbidden Westis like a painting.
Just have a look through any of the mods for Cyberpunk 2077 which make the game more photorealistic.
Yes, it’s technically impressive to look at, but it makes the gamelessvisually attractive, not more.
Sydney Louw Butler / How-To Geek / MidJourney
Not like the jump from the PlayStation to the PlayStation 2!
For me, the point of advancing graphics technology isn’t to achieve photorealism.
If that vision includes photorealism, then so be it.
Steam
Some games, such asUnrecordorGran Turismoare prime examples of photorealism implemented where it should be.
Likewise, realistic military shooters, and simulators of various stripes all benefit from photorealism.
PlayStation
Tim Brookes / How-To Geek
Insomniac Games
Unrecord
