Why the blooming heck isn;t gaming practically real life by now, I've been a gamer for decades but graphics etc aren't keeping up, seems they are lagging behind in development like, like, internet speeds.
I suppose that they can't write everything for the leading edge as it would restrict their market too much?
Forza Motorsport 3 or Gran Turismo 5.
Car models are fantastic...
Game developers have to balance graphical quality with content. In general the more realistic the graphics are the less scope there is to do anything with them which is due to hardware constraints. As Rik says, you also have to cater for the lowest common denominator as far as hardware is concerned or the development costs of a game will never be repaid in sales.
I would take game play over graphics any day, yes the graphics make it look good, but if that is not backed up with a the game play, then the game will be confined to a shelf pretty quick. But then I have only had 3 games installed on my PC in the past 9 years Grand Prix Legends, Nascar 2003 and now rFactor