Screenshots, who needs 'em? Certainly not the developers of games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance or Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom. Both games got an intense grilling by message board graphics snobs when first screenshots were revealed. But seeing stills doesn't obviously tell the whole story.

A producer for the latter title is loathe to release still shots at all.

Honestly, I wish we could never send out screens, just video. It's a lot harder than in past to create stills that communicate what our games really look like.

Why?

Particle effects are meant to be continuous and moving. When you stop them, it's like looking behind the curtain and saying 'Hmm, that's what a fire effect looks like when it's not moving.'

While screen galleries will never be eliminated, the rise of video trailers via the Web, Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network and (presumably) a future Wii Channel will at some point surely make looking at still shots online or in print, an antiquated experience. Long live hi-res video! Michael McWhertor

Hype: The Screenshot's Long Goodbye

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