Gameplay must come first - Williams

LucasArts's Chris Williams has outlined the company's vision for next-gen gaming, warning that it's not just graphics which must improve if the new consoles are to hold gamers' interests.

Speaking in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz to be published tomorrow, Williams said, "I don't believe that someone's going to go out and spend the kind of money that it's going to cost to buy a new system just for the pretty graphics. It really needs to play differently, and that's where we're trying to advance the industry."

For this reason, Williams explained, LucasArts has "worked really hard to develop new technology that we think is fundamentally going to change gaming at the core." That includes creating simulated rather than animated characters which react differently according to context, and new physics effects for more realistic visuals.

"All these underlying technologies are in the service of bringing great characters and great stories," Williams continued.

"By focusing on that, and by adding revolutionary technologies to those elements, we can deliver an experience that's going to feel fresh, and also bring in a broader audience."

Visit GamesIndustry.biz tomorrow to read the full interview.