Realism is a tricky subject in entertainment. We play video games in part to escape reality. However, adding them as part of the interactive entertainment can create some interesting game mechanics. The best example that emerges is simulation games!
The art of realism is also found in popular genres like role-playing games. When a video game is touted as "realistic," it is often marketed because it contains one or two of the following:
Realistic mechanics
Games without simulation tend to have a simplified version. This is to help the player focus on the game rather than the movement. However, racing games and other vehicle titles have some ingrained elements that keep the game interesting.
Other examples of realistic mechanics are simpler than terrain bumps and car trouble. Probability is one of the easiest things to include as a mechanic. Instead of creating advanced scripts, the games simply use a Random Number Generator (RNG). Bitcasino Aviator is an example of this mechanism.
Realistic graphics
It is perhaps the most popular topic among AAA gaming fans. People often talk about the extent of realistic graphics. There was a time when this simply meant having proportions and textures similar to real life. However, this often impairs readability or expression.
The search for realistic graphics is also the root of the problems of many games. Powerful systems are needed to render textures correctly. In most cases, game developers find ways to make a scene realistic without putting in too much detail. This helps keep game files small and system demand low.
Realistic consequences
The consequences of actions are the reason why many people are afraid to refrain from certain activities in public. It seems strange that it is included in a medium intended to give freedom. However, it is now a very popular game design philosophy called "systemic game design". It's a concept that everything you do in a game has a ripple effect that affects the situation.
This is a popular trend in action games with puzzle elements because it forces players to think before they act. It's a necessary state of mind in real life but it's a fun idea in video games.
It's also an intriguing idea for games that revolve around a story. Instead of simply affecting the environment to hamper your plans, your decisions could have a permanent impact on the story of the game. computer role-playing games (CRPG). You decide the fate of the residents of the game world.
Realistic logistics
It is the least featured type of game mechanic in non-simulation games. Many resource management games have simplified the concept of resource gathering as a simple grind. In competitive games, the objective is to win more than the enemies in order to build your base faster. There are games like the Civilization series where sourcing and trading is needed, but few titles explore this concept more.
Bottom line
Many people confuse realism with despair. The word is only meant to mean grounded in reality, not depressing and brooding. This is an important clarification to make people understand that so many games released recently are realistic in some way. They are not perfect simulations of real activities like pretend games.
Even games as simple as Bitcasino Aviator are a realistic game of probabilities. Despite the popularity of realism, game designers still need to avoid being too real. At the end of the day, players want to have fun. Even if the realism offers an interesting mechanic, the fun should still be more important.