Why Hyperrealism is Often a Goal of Video Game Developers

There was a time when a video game was all about the puzzle. How could you get Pacman to eat all of the dots before he was caught by the four coloured ghosts? How could you get Crash Bandicoot to traverse the jungle without being hit by an armadillo and shouting: ‘WOAH!’?

It wasn’t until the Playstation 2 was released in 2000 – complete with groundbreaking technology at the time – that video game developers saw hyperrealism as a realistic goal.

As time has gone on and technology has developed, their achievements have only gotten more and more impressive, but not every player is yet convinced.

One of the most popular gaming devices in 2024, for instance, is the smartphone. On a smartphone, millions of people around the world play online slots, games, and puzzle-based gaming apps while consoles – which have the tech to run hyperrealistic games smoothly –  have gradually seen their sales decrease.

So is hyperrealism a good thing for video game developers to aim for? Why is it an ambition exactly, and do gamers really see it as a priority? 

The Fine Line of Hyperrealism

In October 2018, one of the best games ever to brace our consoles was released, and we’re going to use it as our main example throughout this article. Known as Red Dead Redemption 2, this was a hyperrealistic masterpiece that took everything to the next level. Not only did the world look incredible – full of gorgeous rolling hills, snowy mountains, and smoky cities – but the inner workings of the game were hyperrealistic too.

If you have to restore your health in RDR2, for instance, you can’t just do it at the click of a button. You have to go to a store, buy some food, make a camp, cook the food, and then eat it. This takes time and effort.

As does the concept of ‘looting’, which cannot be carried out in just one second – a la Assassins Creed games, where you simply press a button and hear a ‘ka-ching!’. If you want to loot someone, an entire animation plays out, showing your character rummaging through their pockets before stealing items and putting it in their bag.

But at the time of release, these traits of the game incited a marmite reaction. While some people loved the realism of the game, many others found it boring, wearisome, and unneeded. Why would anyone want to spend time setting up a campfire and cooking meat when all they want is a ‘getaway’ from everyday life?

The Two Types of Gamer

The question of iGaming comes back around here. Unlike a game like RDR2, online slots and casinos, in general, prioritise a different style of gameplay. This is all about picking up your phone, logging into an online casino, playing a few games, and then getting back to your normal life.

Realism doesn’t matter when games are speedy, convenient, and instantly agreeable. The same can be said of platforming or strategy games. It’s not so much the look and feel of the game, it’s the reward it gives you when you complete a level or beat a boss – the more real it looks, the better, but this is only a bonus on top of the game rather than the main draw.

This doesn’t mean that hyperrealistic games shouldn’t be a goal of developers, however. If you look at the landscape objectively, it’s clear that there are two different types of gamers – some appreciate immersion, and some don’t, but there are market opportunities for both. Despite the amount of gamers who didn’t care for the hyperrealism of RDR2, it’s still one of the best-selling games ever, and that demonstrates there are plenty of gamers who did.

How Far Could It Go?

You might be wondering how far hyperrealistic games might go. Technology is only getting better, after all, and the more it gets better, the more opportunity developers will have to raise their game.

One good indicator of this will be the upcoming GTA VI game, which is due to be released sometime in 2025. With Rockstar Games helming RDR2 – perhaps the most hyperrealistic game out there – it will be fascinating to see what they might do with a new generation of gaming tech.

It’s important to remember, of course, that RDR2 was made for Xbox One, and developed over eight years, which means it started development all the way back in 2010. By all accounts, GTA VI should hit a completely new level, but that’s not to say it will be more hyperrealistic.

That will depend on what angle Rockstar Games have decided to take. Will GTA VI elevate hyperrealism, will it stay at the same level, or will it cut back and play it safe? A big developer like this will tell us how far hyperrealism might go in the industry as a whole, but one thing’s for sure, immersion is a factor that gamers are looking for. Just not every gamer!