In gaming, what are "cartoony" graphics?

[Luciant]

When I read comments about online games, I often see people describe some graphics as "cartoony." Often such description is used as a negative because apparently some people, especially those drawn to "mature" games, don't like cartoony graphics. For example, a community of Diablo fans have complained to Blizzard because its highly anticipated Diablo III possesses so-called cartoony graphics.What does this mean? Is it a reference to the style of art? If so, how? Any info is appreciated.

[jamaicob]

mainly when people mean cartoony graphics it usually means it has block colors and very basic shading

[eastavenger]

it means terrible and probably on wii

[Joe xXx J]

Cartoony is a style of art. It (to me) is less realistic, it adds a certain flare to a game.

[I Know Video Games.]

It is used when things don't look that real, it is used in different ways for this sometimes though, but it overall it means the same. Like if an animation or an art style doesn't look real ppl will call it cartoony...

[Logistics]

When people say that a game has 'cartoony' graphics they can sometimes mean it has anime style graphics rather than a real world look, so it uses brighter colours like you would expect to see in some comics and television cartoons.Examples shown in some MMORPGsGuild Wars - Graphics aim to be as realistic as can be.Flyff - 'cartoony' and slightly anime style. Much more brighter, but not realistic.

[MFA]

yes,it is reference to the style of art, when graphics have two shadows color, you can draw it with for example Adobe Illustrator