Randy Smith Evergreen, a designer known for his work on immersive sims like Thief and Dark Messiah: Might and Magic, contends that the relentless pursuit of graphical fidelity in video games has reached an untenable point. He suggests that the industry should have plateaued with the visual achievements of 2010's Alan Wake, arguing that the subsequent "fidelity curve has become outrageous."
"Why do we need more graphics? Because they just cost a ton," Smith Evergreen stated, reflecting on the financial implications of pushing graphical boundaries. He recalled his reaction to Alan Wake, remarking that its relative photorealism was sufficient to establish immersion and atmosphere. For him, the visuals achieved by that era provided a complete experience, and anything beyond that was unnecessary "gravy."
Smith Evergreen elaborated that the current trend, which often includes features like ray tracing and relies on upscaling technologies such as DLSS for many players to experience, has moved beyond practical improvement. He noted that many modern AAA games feature graphics that offer a "spectacle" with lighting and reflections that surpass real-world capabilities, but these advancements do not necessarily enhance the core experience of a game, particularly for the immersive sim genre.
He believes that immersive sims, in particular, are being misunderstood when they are pushed towards a AAA scope. Smith Evergreen posited that the audience for immersive sims is not large enough to justify the escalating development costs associated with aiming for the same scale as blockbuster titles like Ghost of Tsushima or Grand Theft Auto VI. He suggested that this ambition might be a miscalculation regarding the genre's audience size.
This perspective contrasts with the approach being taken for the upcoming remaster of Thief. Smith Evergreen expressed enthusiasm for Nightdive Studios' project, praising their trustworthiness and passion. He anticipates that playing the remastered Thief: The Dark Project will feel like a fresh experience, akin to playing Dishonored for the first time after having previously developed games. Smith Evergreen is currently working on an unannounced project that he expects to be revealed soon.