CarryTheWeight's Blog
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The next generation of video gaming consoles brings a new level of promise and enthusiasm for sports gamers. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 hope to build upon their predecessors with faster hardware and improved graphical fidelity.
However, with each leap forward in graphical technology comes the need for greater visual authenticity in licensed products. Modern sports game developers pride themselves on delivering the most realistic representation of the sports they portray. Therefore, developers must be willing to leave no stone unturned, including details that most video gamers often take for granted. This includes realistic player movement, more anatomically correct player models, up-to-date stadium architecture and authentic attire from uniforms to accessories.
Uniform, equipment and accessory error threads are items of contention around Operation Sports and the gaming community at large. On one hand, many dedicated posters with detailed knowledge of logotypes, uniforms and equipment are dedicated to addressing such errors so that developers can use the thread as a point of reference for a future patch or for the next game in a series. These threads, which often run longer than ten pages, are rife with comparison photos and detailed descriptions of uniform aesthetics. In many cases, developmental art errors become more prevalent after consulting these threads.
Unfortunately, many of these threads are met with criticism, backlash and derision among the sports video game community. It seems that with each thread addressing incorrect sock striping and number fonts, another thread is there to mock the concerns. “It’s only a video game” is probably the biggest reason against uniform correction threads. And in some respects, it is just that --- most art departments are working hard to meet deadlines and often have to consult questionably accurate style guides.
Example: Earlier “MLB: The Show” games of this generation featured an inaccurate Texas Rangers helmet the team barely used. The inaccuracy was not an art department error but the fault of the official MLB Style Guide.
Apart from that, art departments often consult real-life uniforms and travel to real stadiums for photographic research. Even if art development teams don’t consult uniform correction threads, it’s plain to see their dedication and hard work to delivering authenticity. Whatever the case may be, this dedication to realism generated some impressive results this generation. But, as seen on Operation Sports and other forums, an increase in graphical fidelity means a greater need to include every detail.
EA Sports Ignite, for example, promises to deliver a more immersive environment not possible under current hardware. This includes “living worlds” complete with interactive sidelines and ultra-detailed crowds with their own AI. Such a mission statement shows that EA is dedicated to amplifying realism to unforeseen levels on next generation consoles. It also means gamers will approach each title with greater scrutiny to make sure every promised detail is accounted for.
Should artists and developers alike be held accountable for aesthetic inaccuracies in sports titles? Yes, although gamers should realize that mistakes are inevitable in annual titles. Console gaming does not have the advantage of dedicated modding communities. As such, it is up to the professionals to ensure an authentic presentation out of the box, if that is what is promised. Arcade titles such as NBA Jam and The Bigs come under less scrutiny because they’re naturally over-the-top and aren’t supposed to be detailed representations of the sport they present. Games presented as authentic, however, must be exactly that.
Details like incorrect captain’s patches on NFL uniforms may be a fringe topic for many gamers, but regardless of triviality, these details ARE a part of the NFL’s real-life presentation.
Time will tell if the new generation of consoles ushers in a new era of improved attention to detail. Uniform and aesthetic criticism is equally required and warranted, and more necessary than many would believe. As a gaming developer committed to authenticity on high-fidelity hardware, one must be committed to including details many gamers will overlook. Sony’s MLB: The Show and 2K Sports’s NBA 2K series have done this for years, often improving on errors and oversights in subsequent titles to ensure the most authentic visual representation of its sport.
This standard must continue --- and improve --- on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Massive oversights will be all the more noticeable, and reactions to glaring errors --- such as the media attention given to the infamous “orange pants” of the Chicago Bears in Madden NFL 13 --- will only heighten as aesthetic criticism transcends message board topics and becomes something the average gamer will notice.
If this coming generation is truly about giving gamers a never-before-seen level of fidelity and authenticity, attention to detail in art AND gameplay must be high on the priority list. While gameplay and animations may be an entirely different level of technicality, artists’ contributions are no less important to a sports game’s success.
It’s a far cry from the dawn of the 3D Era on PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Graphical quality and realism will only improve from here on out. It’s up to developers, artists and programmers alike to make sure attention to detail becomes a standard. The sports gaming community must also remain vigilant in their dedication to hold developers accountable for any oversights they may make. Personal entitlements aside, this dialogue will undoubtedly ensure a healthier future for sports video gaming.
# 1
Tsuki @ Jul 17
Great story bro. Especially the part about how arcade games presentation is never on par with sim games. This has bothered me since NBA Street Vol.2
# 2
ncaafootball14markus @ Jul 18
I swear to god ncaa's art department is THE worst. This years iteration was the laziest piece of crap ever witnessed by them and it really upset me. An entire year passes and u edit hardly any uniforms (and I'm not even talking about the new uniforms yet to be worn for this upcoming season), add ONE new face mask (a punters face mask that I have never seen worn EVER), yet we refuse to add the MOST prominent face mask worn by collegiate players today, claiming you ran out of RAM. Then, you have the audacity to KEEP old schutt helmets and outdted face masks that not ONE single player wears today.... Not one! There were no new Nike cleats. Then, due to a bug, 1/2 of my teams are sporting grey face masks? Don't get me started on the stadiums. I honestly would give the art department (not the Gameplay department for all of you smart Alec's that say they'd rather have a better game play then authentic uniforms) a solid D-. Changing the color scheme and adding gloves and team specific undershirts to a small number of teams is NOT enough work for an entire friggin year. Now, here comes next gen, and I can't believe that things will get better as players will demand even greater attention to details. I'm really not excited because their art department comes off as some of the laziest people in the sports gaming industry.
# 3
CarryTheWeight @ Jul 18
First, I'd like to thank OS for putting this editorial on their front page and on Facebook...really unexpected and awesome!
Markus, the uniforms in NCAA this year are very hit and miss. I like that some teams have matte helmets and others have noticeable paint flecks. Madden can't say the same right now, as the 49ers helmets are still not as reflective as they are IRL and the new Vikings helmets (as of now) still look quite normal.
The lighting on the shinier helmets in NCAA, however, is another story. Playing as Notre Dame at night is especially cringeworthy and my Buffalo Bulls' helmet color almost changes to a darker shade of blue than the uniform while playing at night. That should definitely be corrected next-gen as it just looks out of place currently.
For all the warranted criticism, NCAA, in terms of detail, actually does a few things better than Madden does --- not only do the helmets tend to look better but the uniform numbers are in much better proportion than their NFL counterparts, even on Nike uniforms. I understand both teams work in isolation in most cases, but it's just a strange disconnect on two games that essentially have the same player models.
What I tried to say in this article is that more scrutiny should be placed on artists and art departments on next-gen as graphics improve and those little details soon begin to become even more noticeable. I always appreciate artists and creators alike who go the extra mile in their product.
I'm not expecting GTA-like levels of detail only reserved for games with a five year long development period, just a level of authenticity worthy of the goals and mission EA and other developers pride themselves on. Ideas are great, but execution is key --- something I, as a media producer, know all too well.
Markus, the uniforms in NCAA this year are very hit and miss. I like that some teams have matte helmets and others have noticeable paint flecks. Madden can't say the same right now, as the 49ers helmets are still not as reflective as they are IRL and the new Vikings helmets (as of now) still look quite normal.
The lighting on the shinier helmets in NCAA, however, is another story. Playing as Notre Dame at night is especially cringeworthy and my Buffalo Bulls' helmet color almost changes to a darker shade of blue than the uniform while playing at night. That should definitely be corrected next-gen as it just looks out of place currently.
For all the warranted criticism, NCAA, in terms of detail, actually does a few things better than Madden does --- not only do the helmets tend to look better but the uniform numbers are in much better proportion than their NFL counterparts, even on Nike uniforms. I understand both teams work in isolation in most cases, but it's just a strange disconnect on two games that essentially have the same player models.
What I tried to say in this article is that more scrutiny should be placed on artists and art departments on next-gen as graphics improve and those little details soon begin to become even more noticeable. I always appreciate artists and creators alike who go the extra mile in their product.
I'm not expecting GTA-like levels of detail only reserved for games with a five year long development period, just a level of authenticity worthy of the goals and mission EA and other developers pride themselves on. Ideas are great, but execution is key --- something I, as a media producer, know all too well.
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