This has been posted in two other threads, by Annatar and idunno16 respectively (or was it idunno116, my apologies if I've gotten it wrong), and Annatar noticed Mittens paste the link in IRC, so it's apparently not preempting an announcement.

Considering the other two threads started out as anticipation and speculation, it may be better to move the discussion here, but then again it may not.

As far as my own personal feelings go, based on the screenshots alone I'm not overly impressed, but I've always been more about the mechanics of a game than the visuals.  When one accounts for the fact that Brad has mentioned it will be somewhat like Populous (though obviously with other things factored in and influencing it, and done in a way that only Stardock can do it), and more to the point that it will have multiplayer and, for lack of a better way to put it, a mod universe, I become much more interested in it.  I do hope the graphics and interface have improved somewhat from what gamespy has by the time it launches, but since this is Stardock we're talking about this is a hope that may actually be realized and less of a legitimate concern.

However, I am not yet ready to justify preordering it, even if it were possible.  Sorry, Brad.  I know I'm picky. 

Tiny screenshots are tiny (and don't appear to link to larger versions).  But thanks regardless; I'm more impressed with it but still holding out for more.  From my perspective, and from seeing the ground unit combat screen on gamespy, it doesn't look as good as GCII, which is...not good.  I can only assume that the screenshots don't represent where the game is currently at.

Stardock is a small company.  It doesn't have dozens and dozens of coders whose only function is supply eye candy.  For my part, I don't mind low-graphics philosophy, as long as it's done well.  If you can't do an Ironman, stick to a half-triathlon and finish that.

I would prefer a good 2D sprite-based graphic engine that's fabulous rather than a badly rendered 3D.  That said, I don't mind graphics at all, really.  As long as it has good aesthetic sense, I'm good with it.  The gameplay is more important.

I guess we need to find the screenshots from the first announcement of GC2, then those used when it shipped and compare them with the current screenshots from GC2:TotA to have a better grasp on how graphics can evolve in the life of a game.

Sole Soul:

I wasn't referring to you in particular, which is why I didn't direct my post to you.  I was speaking in general.  We are of like mind in putting gameplay above graphics.  If you have to put it in a 16 bit shell to make it amazing, do that.  Of course, one hopes for better.

That said, have you actually looked at a DL screen lately?  I assure you that the ToA graphics and the DL graphics are worlds apart.  Elemental's screens are a little on the DL side, but not nearly as bare so it's about on the right spot, given that it's still got two years in development at least before the basic game release.

Heh, I actually really like those graphics.  It reminds me of Valkyria Chronicles coming out on the PS3 this month.  I'd say these are on par with GC2 (if not better), it's just a different art style.

EDIT:  I'd like to see how they are in motion though.  Could change my view.

The fact it is based on the Silmarillion has me really stoked for it to be honest. It was one of my favorite stories as a child - along with all the other JRRT stuff. I'm a big head on graphics but to be honest game play will always win the day. Let's hope it really rocks. I so miss MoM, MoO & SimC.

Blame gamespy for that, what's done is done

BTW: I really like the artistic style so far. It has that 70's fantasy graphic art pen and ink visual quality to it. A very elegant touch if done right to be sure - at least for an old timer like myself. It puts me in mind of the images of Alan Lee, Darrell Sweet & John Howe.

Now about the absence of death magic - WTF?

You just know it is slated for the x-pack.

Consider them officially blamed!

Hey - this is still very cool, no matter how you slice it. Simultaneous development on Demigod, Sins, and now this one. Yeehah...

(Blamespy...)

*sigh* The only sad part is that they announced a game that's not coming out for at least a year and 3 months.  There's the beta early next year(which I'll probably buy/sign up for) but still....