Config Settings/In-game Config Update

[Bayohne]

I wanted to give you all an update on the current status regarding the config program and in-game config settings as we move forward. For 2.0, we will be removing parts of the config program, which only reflect changes after rebooting the game client, and making it so that you can configure settings while playing.

We are at the stage now where we are restructuring the system for 2.0. Due to this, we cannot currently provide any specific information on exactly which config items will be changed, but we will be bringing you follow-up information in the future.

[Jynx]

Hopefully this means players who have issues in some areas wont need to crank down settings for all of them, just be able to situationally crank down the settings.

[Rhianu]

For 2.0, we will be removing parts of the config program, which only reflect changes after rebooting the game client

Only parts? Why not all of them? If you ask me, the config program should be completely removed and eliminated. Every single option should be moved to the in-game configuration menu. The external config program should not even exist.

[Soukyuu]

There are some options that might require a complete re-initialization of the engine, thus needing a restart. Though nowadays you rarely see a prompt to restart the game to apply changes.

[Delsus]

So for 2.0 we will beable to change all settings ingame?

That will be awsome, there is nothing worse than constantly restarting the client when you are trying to tune out lag.

[Halvaard_Vidan]

Macro activated graphics options, (Yes, please!)

[Fensfield]

Only parts? Why not all of them? If you ask me, the config program should be completely removed and eliminated. Every single option should be moved to the in-game configuration menu. The external config program should not even exist.

As Soukyuu says, some options would probably require the game be restarted to work. I think Anisotropic filtering is a particular offender in this regard, for instance. Depending on the start-up times for the 2.0 client (especially if they keep the login external), being able to edit settings that would require the game be restarted from outside the client could well be more convenient (it certainly is at the moment).

Hell, it's pretty much the fashion these days to provide an external config program if your game has any options that would require a restart, and give it the ability to edit all settings, restart required or no.

Frankly, that is what they ought do. Keep settings would require a client reboot in the external config program (and possibly put them inside the client too, tad redundant though that may be), and then make it possible to edit every configuration option that wouldn't require a client restart from the external program as well.

Removing options from the external config program (or indeed, removing the program itself) is counter-productive in my opinion. They should just be adding things that can be edited in-game to the in-game Configuration menu as well.

Oh and it might also be nice to be able to access the in-game Configuration menu from the Welcome Screen too, so as to not have to go through loading up a character to tinker with the settings.

[Rhianu]

As Soukyuu says, some options would probably require the game be restarted to work.

Yeah, so? Just have a pop-up window tell the player that some settings will not be applied until the game is restarted. Problem solved. There's no need to have a separate, external program. All that does is make things more complicated than they need to be.

And I've never seen any game except for FFXI and FFXIV that had an external config program, so your claim that such is the fashion these days is completely false.

As for the time it takes to start up the client, if it takes any longer than 10 or 15 seconds, then they're doing something wrong. But the new client for Version 2.0 is still under development, so that can be one of the goals for the dev team moving forward.

I do agree though that configuration options should be accessible from the title screen. That would definitely make things convenient when you want to edit settings quickly without having to take the time to log all the way in to a character.

[Soukyuu]

Yeah, so? Just have a pop-up window tell the player that some settings will not be applied until the game is restarted. Problem solved. There's no need to have a separate, external program. All that does is make things more complicated than they need to be.

That doesn't really change the fact you have to restart the client, no? I see no problem with an external program tbh, just make it accessible from the client login screen. It would also make sense to keep all settings in the external program AND have those settings which don't require a restart ingame at the same time.

[Rhianu]

That doesn't really change the fact you have to restart the client, no?

Restarting the game is still faster than exiting the game, starting up a separate program, changing the setting(s) you want, closing that program, and then starting the game up again.

Without an external config program:
1. Change Settings
2. Exit Game
3. Start Game

With an external config program:
1. Exit Game
2. Start Up Config Program
3. Change Settings
4. Exit Config Program
5. Start Game

Really, I don't know why you think an external config program would make things faster, because it wouldn't. In fact it actually slows things down.