Surrealism vs Realism vs Fantasy.

runlvlzero · #1 12-11-2013, 03:01 PM

EQ is a mix of realism and fantasy, making it surreal IMO. I may be butchering the definition of the word, but it's a realistic simulation at it's core and beginnings, by level 60 it's full on surreal. It's probably one of the reasons I love this game so much.

It seems to be a lost art in game making. Studios are trying to go for the next best exaggeration on reality, and further departing realism. There are some games that still respect realism. Minecraft, some of the zombie survival games. Yet alone this does not make a good game.

But games like WoW alienate me mainly because they are so comic and unrealistic. Characters are out of proportion. Your power vs the rest of the "verse" is disproportionate. Magic doesn't follow any rules etc...

Of course everything has a level of realism even the most abstract artistic expression still has at it's core bleed over through the 4th wall of reality into this "verse".

I post this here because I want to share with you all this thought on realism.

I wish there was more. I support realism in my games/simulations. I don't need an extreme simulation. But an Everquest level of realism or a bit more is ideal.

I notice most games on steam are completely out of touch with this aesthetic.

Yet there are artsy surreal games that have much realism, such as "The Void", which are not based in reality, yet some how pay a deep homage to it. They respect realism in their architecture and design.

Games that are flamboyant and flaunt in the face of realism aren't as pleasing or interesting to me, they lack immersion.

I guess in some ways I play games more to explore reality than to escape it.

How do you feel, perceive realism in games?

Swish · #2 12-11-2013, 03:29 PM

As a short answer... much fun is had in GTA. Borders realism and the surreal really well [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Lune · #3 12-11-2013, 08:42 PM

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Barkingturtle · #4 12-11-2013, 09:18 PM

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myriverse · #5 12-12-2013, 08:10 AM

If it were surreal, it wouldn't have any realism at all. Even fantasy is grounded in realism. Surreal has no ground.

theaetatus · #6 12-12-2013, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myriverse [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If it were surreal, it wouldn't have any realism at all. Even fantasy is grounded in realism. Surreal has no ground.

You misunderstand surrealism entirely. Surrealism is about presenting the real through an imaginary perspective, bridging the gap between reality and dreams. Reality is an important part of surrealism.

Swish · #7 12-12-2013, 12:42 PM

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Originally Posted by Lune [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

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would bang despite her rep...

justin2090 · #8 12-12-2013, 12:43 PM

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Originally Posted by Lune [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

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lmao

runlvlzero · #9 12-12-2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swish [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

As a short answer... much fun is had in GTA. Borders realism and the surreal really well [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Yeah, and you got me here cause, I actually prefer saints row 1-3 over GTA 4+

However, the original GTA seemed to strike a good balance.

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Originally Posted by Barkingturtle [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

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lolz

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Originally Posted by Lune [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

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calling me a bastard [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]?

lol, game of thrones is a good example of realism working in a fantasy universe IMO, I enjoyed the way they handled that series quite well.

myriverse · #10 12-13-2013, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theaetatus [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

You misunderstand surrealism entirely. Surrealism is about presenting the real through an imaginary perspective, bridging the gap between reality and dreams. Reality is an important part of surrealism.

No. Surreal is about representing reality in a completely illogical, irrational, fantastical way, like vacuum cleaners made of vaginas and dicks and shit. Even fantasy is deeply grounded in a very logical reality. Surrealism is not.