Realistic graphics age poorly over time. Explains why we continue to see games like TLOU get released. Once the game starts to show its age it starts to have its negative effects. This is why Nintendo games are known to be time less. Because its all about the art and gameplay, not how realistic a gun can look, because in 5 to 10 years, that gun doesnt look as so good anymore as better visuals come out improving on that same gun model.

I am surprised that many don't see the issue with realistic visuals. The lack of innovation and gameplay has dropped immensely on games that focus on realistic graphics. I have been more interested in AA games these days then AAA games. AA games have been reminding me what games are all about. AAA are not only lacking where AA strives in gameplay, innovation and imagination, they are also going with the anti consumer policies of MTs, Lootboxes, Price hikes and the sorts to make up the huge budgets on these massive AAA games while they still offer you less game but making it prettier instead. 

I reminder buying games back in the days where they use to offer SP and MP modes in one game, now we are only seeing one or the other. (Aside from some games that still deliver on that old school value)

Nobody really thinks TLOU aged badly. It's going to get released again because it's less risky selling the same game again than developing something new and history proves people will pay 1000x on the same game before opening their wallets to something new, that's how every big IP is surviving. This is not fault of people who like realistic graphics, but of people who happen to be allergic to pay full price in new franchises.

GTA 5 used to be realistic and cutting edge when released and people still paying and playing it just fine. What says if the game is still appealing is how the game itself plays and how they were designed, that's a reason why Skyrim still getting additions even in 2022. 

Companies are exploiting the consumers more than ever before. TLOU still looks good today however ND see the opportunity that they can improve upon it to resell it again. Because they know that they will have the zombie crowds swarm out to get it. Just like every time Apple release a new product that isn't that much different than the last product they made, yet people come out in droves. Because of the consumers not having control, its now giving companies more reason to exploit your wallets while trying to offer you less cake while they try added more icing to cover themselves for the extra expense.

Why do these threads always become the airing of grievances?

Insulting a different game or company isn't the only way to make a point and just undermines whatever you're trying to say.

Metroid Prime was not realistic.. it had a great art style which is why it has aged like fine wine. All companies release games, however Nintendo games are well known for aging better than most. 

If TLOU art style is amazing they wouldnt be remaking it 10 years later.

Also Twilight Princess went the direction of high budget graphic style and its why its aging poorly compared to other Zelda games. Which proves my point even further.

It's always nice to see the world burn

They are all guilty for it the same practice. The issue is companies strike when the iron is hot. They see people will brainlessly buy anything if it looks good.

The point is that when Zelda went for the Graphic fidelity with Twilight, it turns out to be the version that has aged the poorest. Coincidence? 

TLOU Remake and these Zelda ports should not be charged full price. Iv seen PC games get more visual upgrades and offered free than most modern re-releases charging top dollar.

Again

Graphics being outdated is not the reason for TLOU getting a new release. The series will get a TV show, they want to exploit the hype and farm more sales from people who purchased PS3 and PS4 versions. The PS4 remaster still looks better than many PS4-gen games; I doubt anybody truly believes this game aged badly. 

The reason why games get rerererereleased is hardly graphics, I mean... Square are releasing HD-pixel art games remasters, so graphics being outdated aren't the reason for those games to be released again, they are going to be released again because they sell more easily. Humans are very lazy creatures, they hate new things, choosing instead conformity and repetition. It's "safer" to bet on something familiar than on something new. 

Do you know what is amusing? People who complain about the current state of industry NEVER want the industry to develop further (in a positive way)

Instead, they want it to come back to how it used to be in the 90s. Do you still wonder why remasters are made? 

Games getting re-releases is due to improved quality of life features like running in HD etc. Not transforming old games into high budget realistic AAA games.

I want to see the industry evolve, but not at this cost. AAA games aiming for that ultra fidelity is what is causing horrible business practices and cut content in games to exist. 

Ill give you some examples below. 

No One Asked For

Tomb Raider 2013 received a Remaster for PS4/XB1, they had to find a way to sell it again to the audience so they changed Lara's face in the remaster to get people excited and used it as marketing.

TLOU Remake are trying to do the same, they want people to buy the game again and they cannot resell it due to the fact TLOU Remastered is BC with PS5. So what did they do, they are now changing the graphics to get people excited.

Done Right

Resident Evil 2 Remake not only changed the visuals and was a huge leap forward from the original release, they also changed and updated the core game play, improving upon the game.

Portal: Companion Edition released on the Switch for a low price of $39 (Depending where you are from) and includes two great games. They are time less games that rely on its Art style and Gameplay to get gamers excited.

I am all for collections, if companies can include these remakes and remasters into collections of the series than that would be more justifiable than just reselling a game that no one really asked for yet at full price.

Examples of great collections:

BioShock Trilogy (Includes improved versions of 1, 2 and 3 games at a standard price)

Gears Ultimate (Includes a Remake of Gears 1 and includes 2, 3 and Judgement 360 versions at a low price)

Orange Box (Includes Half Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2 at a standard price)

Just wait until graphics become realistic enough that most studio's don't bother going any further than a select few to reach the finest of details. Then you'll have most of your creativity back.

Not entirely though. Some gamers simply prefer real life. Some without really living in it. The more realistic you can make a game, the more of that crowd you'll sell to, if that's who you want to aim at. Which does have it's upsides. It's a lot better for the media to blame overall rare shootings on fps video games vs having a much larger portion of those gamers using real guns or weapons in real life. Especially since the video games negative influence was minimal at best vs the positive nobody ever talks about.