DW is showing its age. It's rearing its ugly graphics.

[goldorak]

Originally Posted by Molon Labe

These are both good points, but they're in opposition to each other. If you use graphics as a hook, then the people you bring in are exactly the people who just don't get it. And then you get even more reviews like the one we got on Attack of the Show or whatever the hell that was.

No no they are not in opposition. You have to think in terms of a "school analogy". Kids are naturally curious beings, but many times its difficult to get their attention. So what do you do ? You try to get them excited about something that sparks their curiosity. Now that doesn't mean that every kid will stay and pay attention, but many will.
Gamers are not idiots, even those that like to play fps or rts or game genres that typically have nothing to do with military simulations. Many don't know wether they will like a game such as Falcon 4 or DW until they have learned about it or try it out. And it is in this phase that you have to capture their attention. Sure many will say I don't like it, but some will say I didn't know this genre but it looks iteresting. I'll give it a try. Publishers, even niche publishers have nothing to loose to hook these players, and everything to gain. But you have got to get them to at least have a passing look on your game, and that cost is graphics.