for one, Oblivion is a single player RPG with absolutely no online component and not an MMO in the slightest and runs on PS3, 360, and PC Locally so of course its graphics are going to be better than they would for a game that you should be able to play on your mid range computer from bestbuy. also its over 3 years old.

Age of Conan actually has a significantly lower polygon count for all of its assets (Character models, Environments, props, etc) the only thing that gives you a sense of detail is intricate texture work, which again, you would only see on a computer high enough to run the resolution and LOD (level of Detail) necessary. when you take that into account its technologically only on Par with WoW.

With Eve online, if you go away from the official Site screens and look at images of the game actually running in real time then you’ll see that it looks nominally better than Homeworld running on a good machine 8 years ago. again low poly models with intricate textures to add detail (ie tons of windows)

Where STO is concerned I think its graphically at the cutting edge of where actual MMO’s are today. the general trend has been going towards a slightly cartoon approach. if you need anymore proof just look at DC Universe Online for PS3, and Star Wars: The Old Republic for PC, they both share the same graphical style and technical triumphs.

You have to take into account that while Age of Conan and EVE both employ more realistically “aimed” textures, they completely lack any of the technical improvements in gaming over the last 4 years like Specular maps, Normal Mapping, and particle effects (actual particle, not transparent animated textures)

if you look at images on Cryptic’s site you’ll notice images that show worlds with Plants and forests/Jungles in the background. They may not be as dense and engaging as they would be in say Crysis, or even oblivion, But you’ve got to keep in mind that the game engine allows for these worlds to be randomly generated on the fly not static planned creating like all of the other games listed. to get new content and location you can just go to a new planet, not wait for an expansion to allow you to go somewhere.

If you take those things into account I think you’ll see that this Game is technically superior to most MMO’s out now and on Par with the MMO’s coming out this summer and into next year.

Thats not a fanboy statement, its an accredited 4-year degree in making games statment ;)

I was all so talking about Oblivion(a 1year old game) and Age of Conan witch are at the top of the graphics of MMORPG’s.

Not to mention the X3 series or Eve Online witch take place in space and Eve is all so a space based MMORPG.

I must say STO looks promesing if i look at the space based graphics and consider the nice story.
I just hope there will be lots of different planet’s in STO and not just dry Rocks.

And i’m not troling i just try to be critical and i want to be convinced by the game and his quality ( not by a fanboy ;) a point for me :).

what up with that?

They protest and are charged a protest fee…which is spent on the cause they are protesting. So Ferengi!

As a fairly serious gamer who has some idea what he’s talking about, ST:O is looking goooood.

Enjoying the storyline, too, although this Data stuff is… yeah, a mite disturbing.