ne1 wonder why these cards aren't using surface/volume formulae?

[RmoR]

Instead of creating numerous polygons and applying textures and light maps and what not to them, would it not be simpler, speedier, and more realistic to have formulae represent the surfaces (z=f(x,y) or whatever), or generate volume effects, etc. Just curious. It seems objects with regular, or simple surfaces, like waving water, or rolling hills, would be easier to render. Or perhaps I don't know what I'm talking about🙂