BioShock creator: Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Machine prove graphics have reached “diminishing returns”

The creator behind the acclaimed Bioshock series Ken Levine has spoken about a number of subjects with IGN. One thing that was touched on was that flashy visuals have now reached the point of “diminishing returns.” Levine points to the Nintendo Switch 2, the Steam Deck and even the upcoming Steam Machine as proof that current video game hardware is more than adequate enough on the visual front. However, both Microsoft and Sony are readying their next generation consoles thought to be arriving next year, but could be pushed back due to component shortages.

“[Realism] doesn’t age as well as more stylistic things,” Levine told IGN. “BioShock still looks good, I think, because it wasn’t trying to get every nut and bolt super realistic.” Combined with players’ want for more accessible hardware, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 and even the Steam Deck, Levine posits that hardware is good enough for anything developers want to do.

“Look at say, the Switch 2 and [even] the new Steam Machine coming out,” he continued. “Those are not massive technological upgrades. That wasn’t their strategy. I think, people are realising we’re hitting a bit of diminishing returns with that.”

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