The 'Graphics Are The First Thing Finished In A Video Game' meme stems from a viral, often misattributed quote that surfaces whenever early development footage of a game is leaked or criticized for its visuals. It gained significant traction following the 2022 Grand Theft Auto VI leaks, where developers and fans used the phrase sarcastically to defend work-in-progress builds. The meme highlights the frustration experts feel when gamers misunderstand the complex pipeline of game design, where lighting and textures are often among the last elements to be polished. Today, it is used both to defend developers and to mock studios that prioritize visual fidelity over stable gameplay.