The Importance of Good Graphics

I was very proud of my low tech graphics at first. I thought their 'pixelly' feel might make it easier for the player to laugh during the game. As a result, I didn't have any issues with creating a promo vid with low graphics. However, I am beginning to have second thoughts. 

I think a few people have written off my game simply because of how it looks. What that means is - although the gameplay may be awesome - not many people are ever going to experience it because they were repelled by their first visual impression. 

The image to the left is the first image a watcher of my youtube promo vid is currently presented with. I wasn't happy with this, but unfortunately, I didn't feel I had a choice because I thought this was the best I could do with the resources I had available (and the knowledge I had) at the time. Unfortunately, the visual quality was made worse by the fact that I zoomed in with my video editing software. The graphics look ALOT worse when you zoom in on the video than they actually do in the game. 

Even though I wasn't completely happy, I decided to go ahead and publish the video anyway for two reasons:
1) I didn't know what I could do to improve the video graphics quality.
2) I didn't think that the visual impression is as important as it actually is. 

With point number 1, I have since realised that there are things I could do - I could create HD sprites using software such as Spine. Perhaps there are other things I could do as well, so I am currently doing research. 

With point number 2, I realised that I made a mistake. Since visuals are not that important for me, I had simply assumed that visuals are therefore not that important to others - I was so wrong, so will make sure that my visuals for future projects are awesome!

I think I have learned the lessons from this experience that I was meant to, so now I am looking for ways to move forward. I am considering doing a total visual revamp of my game, and perhaps outsourcing the graphics to someone else (seeing as visual design is not a strength of mine). 

Wish me luck!
McDeezy