Personally, I don't really care that much about the graphics. But when it comes to a massive gaming world, I would say that the graphics just add to the joy of open-world RPG's. It makes it much more fun to adventure in Tamriel, when it looks like it could be real. I remember goofing around in Cyrodiil, just between Chorrol and Bruma, when I saw this waterfall, surrounded by old-looking trees and tons of flowers. I turned around and I could see the Imperial City in the distance. I was then bullied to death by a pack of wolves, but I returned later with a big sword and taught them a lesson. Then I could enjoy the view in peace. I wouldn't have done that if the graphics had not impressed me like that. I never fast travel, nor do I travel by horse. Cyrodiil felt and looked nice. I sincerely hope that Skyrim will offer the same, if not more! But what do you guys think? Honestly

graphics don't make the game of course but they do enhance the game play. If you really care about graphics so much RPGs are the game for you since game play is clearly more important.

I enjoy pretty graphics as much as the next gamer, but when it comes to graphics vs. gameplay, gameplay wins.

Basically, cram as much graphical prettiness in the game as you can, but if you are faced with a choice between including some graphical feature, or including a good element of gameplay, go with that element of gameplay.

It is about 50-50 to me, game play and graphics are about equally important to me. But so long as the graphics are similar to those in Oblivion I will be happy. It just needs to be real enough to me, not like I am looking out my window.

Gameplay > Graphics all day everyday

Let me phrase that differently for you: "Do you want it to be considered for GOTY?"

Three options for graphics and one that just says gameplay is more important, making no mention on if one cares for graphics?
Nice BIASED poll.

It's important, but not as important as the gameplay. It also isn't nearly as important as the story, lore, interactivity, etc.

Of course. But isn't graphics essential in a TES game? More than a platform game right? ;D

"Not everything that glitters is gold" , same with graphics...

Graphics are important but not essential. You can have amazing graphics but if the gameplay svcks then what's the point in playing it.

I think that graphics are important in that the environments are believable and look decent. I don't need the very best and newest to enjoy a game. Ugly and primitive on the other hand do tend to turn me off. I am sure the game will look decent. anything better would be a bonus.

With that said I really would like to see the game rendered in glorious detail rendered by the latest bells and whistles. I must admit to a little disappointment that for this game at least I won't enjoy the highest levels of cool. There are other games that do and hopefully they come close to the fun an elderscrolls game will bring.

The game can have the most in-depth, best gameplay in the world, but if the graphics are made up of 32 pixels then what's the point in playing it?

Inversely, if you have terrible graphics, but great gameplay, it can be the cult hit of the millennium. Just look at Dwarf Fortress, Nethack, Minecraft, etc.

Fancy graphics are only worth as much as your computer can handle. If you've got a crappy computer, the best graphics in the world won't give you an enjoyable play experience. That being said, it's easier to upgrade a computer than a game engine, so therefore I vote for the best graphics a game can offer - with lots of customization options.

~DE

The in-depth, best gameplay. You play the game for the gameplay. If you only care about how it looks, then go watch a movie.

Agree.

Graphics really mean nothing to me. Gameplay really owns graphics. If Skyrim was all about graphics I think I would lose a little of my gamer side.

Gameplay > Graphics. Games like Crysis and CoD have a life span of about 10-20 hours for me. Awesome graphics, but without gameplay they just wither. But graphics must be good enough so that it feels convincing and manage to drag me into the game world. Daggerfall wouldn't be able to do that for me today, although it did at the time despite not being top notch in graphics. As everything else, it all about balance.

I go by the following rule I first said at the ripe old age of 8
"as long as I can see what the hell is going on, the graphics don't matter"

I created a thread on the very same topic in the New Vegas general discussion that went on for a couple of pages. I think that graphics can make a game much better. The example I used was, "what if San Andreas looked like GTA IV?" Would it not have been a way better game? I absolutely loved San Andreas, and it would have been even more amazing with better graphics.

Gameplay > Graphics

Had this aspect since 1992.

I say that Gameplay > Graphics. No matter how good a game looks, if it isn't fun to play I ain't gonna play it. I don't care if Skyrim looks like real life or the original Legend of Zelda as long as the gameplay is good. If the gameplay svcks, then I've just bought a $60 clay pigeon that I'll take great pleasure in shooting out of the sky. I don't think that will be an issue, though. I have yet tp play a TES game with poor gameplay.

Graphics are nice but the main thing is gameplay for me.

Gameplay is the difference between a good game and a bad game graphics is not as we all can compare some people indeed like morrowind better then oblivion is it because graphics no I guess its gameplay then. I personally never played morrowind so i have no opinion.