Video game graphics have advanced so quickly, it's getting harder and harder to determine what's live-action and what's been rendered by an insanely advanced engine. It's gotten to the point where we can't even tell if actual people are the real deal or CGI copies of themselves. 

As technology continues to improve every year, developers are doing everything in their power to make their games seem as realistic as possible. It's almost as if these companies have some kind of bet going to see who can add in the most minute, seemingly pointless detail. And if that bet does exist, then there's a good chance that Naughty Dog is in the running to win it all considering the kind of details they put into their projects. For a prime example, take a look at Uncharted 4: A Thief's End's rock physics.

As seen in this video, Naughty Dog put rather unnecessary yet very realistic rock behavior into Uncharted 4. Shooting the rocks that are sitting on cliffsides or hills causes them to slide downward gathering other stones and debris along with them. This can also be seen when one of the Drake brothers is sliding down these hillsides themselves.

Does this particular detail add much to the game? No, not really. Is it cool? Heck yeah.

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It's such a ridiculously superfluous feature to put into a triple-A title. Naughty Dog is practically flexing on other studios by showing off a rock physics engine that probably costs thousands of dollars to design despite not being essential to the gameplay in any way. They put so much detail and focus on little realistic touches in their games and it never ceases to be impressive. Even their newest release, The Last Of Us: Part II, is stuffed to the gills with details that players barely notice even though they help ground that game's world in reality.

Of course, all this work is likely responsible for the company's long-rumored and long-derided crunch culture. Naughty Dog employees have reportedly had to work unhealthy amounts of overtime hours just to make sure that little bits like the dirt under Ellie's nails look as lifelike as they possibly can. It might be a bit too much to ask of a developer and their workers to create weather patterns that mimic what we see outside or animals that are indistinguishable from their real-life counterparts.

It's a shame Naughty Dog apparently can't give their workers a more humane project timeframe to add details like this, as things like Uncharted 4's rock physics do add a strong sense of place and a feeling of immersion.

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