It’s wild how those who made this decision clearly think “hyper-realistic” is an improvement. Have they never heard of the Uncanny Valley? Have they ever actually played a video game? I’m guessing the answer is “no” to both.

I have spent more than enough time playing various games, and not once have I thought, “I wish the game I play to escape reality would better resemble reality.” Imagine the characters start looking like actual people you care about, and you’re in a game where you’re made to shoot them. Or what if one of the characters comes to resemble you, and now whatever that character says or does, it will be associated with you? And random strangers start to call out to you in public, treating you as if you’re actually that character?

Then of course, the Uncanny Valley itself is a treacherous pit to avoid. At a certain point in the journey toward hyper-realism, any minor flaw can become unsettling. That issue doesn’t happen with games that are clearly fictional renderings. There’s a reason many people consider realistic-looking porcelain dolls to be creepy, but they don’t feel the same way about a rag doll (except maybe for those with buttons for eyes. Thanks, Coraline.)