Sorry, long image and can't bother reading
Also seemed about something no longer relevant
You're free to join our conversation, we serve free tea
Printable View
To be more precise, servers don't handle the graphics part of the game. This is why you can use reshade or edit in game textures directly on your computer.
Putting those improvements directly in the game is totally doable, and make them optional so it doesn't hut people with lower end computers.
It all comes down to the dev team in the end, whether or not they want to improve the graphics of their product so it looks more like a AAA MMO.
See this post. It's not a server limitation as others have said. It's all client-side. However, as has been the case for most of the game's launch, SE isn't really keen on adding in environmental fluff to older areas of the game. They ALSO want this game to run on as many computers as possible, within reason. (Yes, you -can- launch FFXIV on a Windows XP Netbook. It's going to be a horrid experience though.) The console argument's pretty tired given that there are PC players who are running the game on computers worse than the now-discontinued PS3 copy. (Also why they -really- want people to use a currently supported 64-bit OS. It's time to let Windows 7, and the computer that came with it, rest. Even Microsoft is cutting it off starting 2020.)
I believe this should be done for the next expansion at least, just like when we got DX11 for HW. And I mean adding nice features like interactive foliage or higher res textures. The list could go on and on, better lighting, more polygons on new models, rework of existing models, dynamic clothes / hair etc. Every MMO needs a graphic overhaul every 3-4 years. Aion did it, Wow did it, Black Desert (which was already miles ahead in terms of graphic quality). I think ShadowBringers is the perfect moment to do so for FF14.
And about the Anti Aliasing part however, it should have be done since 2.0. It is really a basic feature that has been existing for ages. The one we got is not a proper implementation of it.
It may also not just be server/system limitations, but also that of the engine the game is built upon. Though the former is likely more accurate in this case. The memory required to do this kind of thing is likely better used elsewhere, such as in combat or character options. I know I'd much prefer that than grass quality or tree flair...
pretty sure it's just the game engine more than anything.
The source this game is built on is very old and very messed up, it's kind of a miracle it works as well as it does.
Any little thing the devs add seems to be a huge fiasco to deal with