Do games require more graphics lately compared to previous years?
Do games require more graphics lately compared to previous years?
I've owned my gtx970 for over four years. I pushed all the graphics options and enabled v-sync and AA all the time.
Now I consistently see around 50–55 fps or higher in most games, even those released this year.
It really depends on how well each game is optimized and the developer's efforts. (For example, FXE V only runs at 40 fps.)
In short, I think developers haven't kept up with the increasing demand for graphics lately?
Yes, they have but the progress has been much slower than in hardware. Even though very demanding modern games will still work well for most users, the current equivalent for your card is around $200 for a solid 1080p at 60Hz. But if you begin playing at 1660p or 140Hz, or even 4K then the performance drops noticeably. So if you have a perfectly fine setup, keep it. I’m okay with a basic system and still enjoy CSGO and Far Cry (2 and BD right now). The Titan, for instance, barely meets gaming standards given its power. Game makers really have no incentive to improve. Most people are content with the status quo and if you want better, there’s RTX.
What needs updating? If demand for graphics continues rising, 2080 Ti will become a 1080p card instead of 4K. I prefer to focus on the real image quality in modern games rather than just checking frames per second.
Games have consistently grown more challenging over time, so the idea of them suddenly becoming less demanding doesn't make much sense. It's natural to be puzzled by this change.
Actually, I'm arguing the contrary—recent matches aren't that challenging as they were a few years back.
I've observed that recent performance trends focus more on resolution than features, making many games run smoothly at 1080p or even 1440p. But with the RTX, that changes.
There are numerous excellent indie titles now available from developers who lack the budget for AAA visuals. Still, I don't anticipate being able to experience Battlefield V in 4K on a GTX 980 Ti in the same manner as with my current 1080 Ti.
It seems the visuals have remained unchanged, mainly because they've been focusing on compatibility with older hardware and basic systems. The graphics quality has noticeably advanced, with new technologies emerging and others being discarded due to their high performance demands versus limited benefits. This shift is influenced by shared console/PC development efforts and external financial and market factors.
In comparison to what hardware is capable of providing, I believe there hasn't been significant progress overall. There used to be discussions a few years ago about developers extracting revenue from hardware makers and increasing game demands to boost sales. However, nowadays there are more games such as LoL, Fortnite, Overwatch, Hearthstone, etc., that can run on a wide range of devices.