Next-Gen Graphics Leap Like 'Batman Going From Adam West To Dark Knight Rises' - Epic

Mark Rein, the VP of Unreal Engine 4 studio Epic Games, has likened the continuing quest for more impressive (and in some cases, photo-realistic) videogame visuals to the constantly-shifting portrayal of Batman, explaining that audiences entertainment tastes evolve quickly with improving technology.

Asked about the role the next wave of beautiful graphics will have to play on platforms like Xbox Next and PlayStation 4 Rein told X360 magazine:

"Pushing the visuals will always be important. Humans evolve very slowly (over millions of years) but their tastes evolve at exponentially faster rates. This is true for pretty much all forms of entertainment and media."

Rein used the analogy of Batman's journey from campy TV show to dark movie blockbuster, to illustrate what gamers will expect from new consoles.

"During my own brief lifetime thus far I’ve gone from watching the Adam West Batman shows of the ‘60s to watching Christian Bale’s Dark Knight today. It’s hard to go back to watch the older series, and people generally don’t.

"Their expectations evolve as new technologies become commonplace. Think of what mobile games looked like before the iPhone came out, and that was only five years ago!"

Rein also cites Doctor Who as an example of changing audience tastes.

Hit the link to read the Mark Rein interview, or for the full article - 'The Truth About Next Gen' - check out X360 Magazine issue 88 available now in all good newsagents, from the imagineshop, or for mobile devices from greatdigitalmags.com.

Is Mark Rein right - will you be disappointed if there's not a significant graphical improvement in the Xbox 720 and PS4? Should it matter to games? Debate to your heart's content below.