Distant 3D object rendering [games]

Question

What is the basic premise behind technology such as is found in Oblivion (and other games, I\'m sure; haven\'t played enough to know), wherein objects from afar are vaguely show

Answer 1

One technique is LOD (level of detail). The farther an object is from the camera, the less triangles are drawn. Here's a link: http://www.stefan-krause.com/