Former Splinter Cell Director Discusses Impact of Modern Graphics on

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory creative director Clint Hocking believes that advancements in video game graphics have made developing stealth games more challenging.

Hocking points out that the evolution of lighting, such as ray and path tracing, has led to more nuanced shades and darkness levels in games. He argues that this realism in lighting makes it difficult for players to gauge how hidden they are when sneaking past enemies. Hocking mentions that older stealth games had clearer, more readable lighting due to baked lighting techniques, unlike the complex lighting effects in modern games.

He highlights that early Splinter Cell titles used a light meter to help players understand their visibility in shadows. However, newer games like Splinter Cell: Conviction and Splinter Cell Blacklist took different approaches to address this issue, such as desaturating colors or adding lights to the protagonist's suit.