2.0 Grass: please change!

needz moar reel grass! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0uhbIuTPI5...it_Painter.jpg

http://images.icanhascheezburger.com...0683378172.jpg
lol

I love how this has become the official grass meme thread. Keep'em coming y'all!

People are complaining about the grass, and complaining about the complaints about the grass, and complaining about threads about complaints about the grass, but has anyone really analyzed the grass? I mean really analyzed it. We are all just throwing comments around about what it is, what it might become and what it should be. However, without the proper analysis we are all just blowing smoke (no pun intended).

For starters, what kind of grass are we talking about here? There is more than one kind of grass (Poaceae) out there, and exactly how round the grass is, or more precisely, should be, will certainly depend on the type we are discussing. And that assumes that we are even looking at "grass" itself, as in graminoids, and not another form of similar vegetation. Certainly if we are looking for bamboo (a grass), then what SE has done with ARR is a terrible representation of such a grass. Indeed, were that case I believe that the best thing to is probably start over and aim for FFXIV 3.0, since the inability to more closely depict bamboo (over other forms of grass), suggests that other representations will not be close enough to their intended visuals for the 2.0 version of the game to survive.

That said, I do not believe that SE was aiming for bamboo here. How do I know? Well the locale for starters. We are in what appears to be the forests of Gridania, and these forests do not appear to be bamboo-type forests. Granted, there are many types of bamboo, and bamboo can survive in a wide variety of climates. That said, bamboo would make for a very difficult terrain for adventuring and for the slaying of animals. The killing in FFXIV appears to be less of a hunting simulator, and more of a roaming-the-lands type of activity.

We can also probably rule out cultured grass lawns as well as what SE was attempting to represent here. That doesn't seem to fit with the forest motif either. Certainly, as was the case with bamboo, if SE was trying for a manicured lawn in this shot I agree with the OP that a ton of work needs to be done before release. I think we can all agree that this does not look like a cultured lawn.

Or what about cereal (a type of grass)? We know that there are at least two cereals in Eorzea - Sunset Wheat and Rye. Could it be these grasses we are looking at? I don't think this stands up to scrutiny. We can rule out Rye, since that is only found in the higher elevations of Mor Dhona and Coerthas. And we can rule out Sunset Wheat as well - as it is only harvested in La Noscea and Thanalan. We can also assume based on it's very low price that it would be cultivated and not found in such conditions as shown in the picture used by the OP.

So that leaves the grasses typically found in grasslands - maybe we are looking at a some of the tall prairie grasses - say a mixture of indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) or little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). These average about 6 feet tall, however, and if we assume the Hume of average height, I don't think that's what we are looking at.

I am not sure we are really looking at grasses at all. SE may have been trying to represent forbs, sedges or rushes - none of which are grass at all. I am not sure that the OP really considered this possibility in his in-depth analysis.

Conclusion, we should be demanding that SE identify the specific plant that they are trying to represent in the image presented by the OP, so that the community can weigh in on how accurate (or not) the scenery looks, and so we can decide whether or not SE should continue to develop 2.0, or try again with 3.0

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gahoo

People are complaining about the grass, and complaining about the complaints about the grass, and complaining about threads about complaints about the grass, but has anyone really analyzed the grass? I mean really analyzed it. We are all just throwing comments around about what it is, what it might become and what it should be. However, without the proper analysis we are all just blowing smoke (no pun intended).

For starters, what kind of grass are we talking about here? There is more than one kind of grass (Poaceae) out there, and exactly how round the grass is, or more precisely, should be, will certainly depend on the type we are discussing. And that assumes that we are even looking at "grass" itself, as in graminoids, and not another form of similar vegetation. Certainly if we are looking for bamboo (a grass), then what SE has done with ARR is a terrible representation of such a grass. Indeed, were that case I believe that the best thing to is probably start over and aim for FFXIV 3.0, since the inability to more closely depict bamboo (over other forms of grass), suggests that other representations will not be close enough to their intended visuals for the 2.0 version of the game to survive.

That said, I do not believe that SE was aiming for bamboo here. How do I know? Well the locale for starters. We are in what appears to be the forests of Gridania, and these forests do not appear to be bamboo-type forests. Granted, there are many types of bamboo, and bamboo can survive in a wide variety of climates. That said, bamboo would make for a very difficult terrain for adventuring and for the slaying of animals. The killing in FFXIV appears to be less of a hunting simulator, and more of a roaming-the-lands type of activity.

We can also probably rule out cultured grass lawns as well as what SE was attempting to represent here. That doesn't seem to fit with the forest motif either. Certainly, as was the case with bamboo, if SE was trying for a manicured lawn in this shot I agree with the OP that a ton of work needs to be done before release. I think we can all agree that this does not look like a cultured lawn.

Or what about cereal (a type of grass)? We know that there are at least two cereals in Eorzea - Sunset Wheat and Rye. Could it be these grasses we are looking at? I don't think this stands up to scrutiny. We can rule out Rye, since that is only found in the higher elevations of Mor Dhona and Coerthas. And we can rule out Sunset Wheat as well - as it is only harvested in La Noscea and Thanalan. We can also assume based on it's very low price that it would be cultivated and not found in such conditions as shown in the picture used by the OP.

So that leaves the grasses typically found in grasslands - maybe we are looking at a some of the tall prairie grasses - say a mixture of indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) or little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). These average about 6 feet tall, however, and if we assume the Hume of average height, I don't think that's what we are looking at.

I am not sure we are really looking at grasses at all. SE may have been trying to represent forbs, sedges or rushes - none of which are grass at all. I am not sure that the OP really considered this possibility in his in-depth analysis.

Conclusion, we should be demanding that SE identify the specific plant that they are trying to represent in the image presented by the OP, so that the community can weigh in on how accurate (or not) the scenery looks, and so we can decide whether or not SE should continue to develop 2.0, or try again with 3.0

---

Best. Post. Ever.

+1

I don't care. It's grass. Plus, I like this grass.

It's this kind of thinking that started SE's downward spiral in the first place! "Liking grass"... pah!!

Never be satisfied! Never Surrender!

Best part is, SE will probably respond to this lol.

Moko Grass!!!! FTW!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gahoo

[Dissertation on 2.0 grass.]

---

You win. @_@

I love you, Gahoo!

. hello

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Darlan_Ashwood

If their goal is to help with frame rates Ill take the crappy grass

---

That I can agree with.

I honestly can't believe we have a 200 post thread about the (#&#$ing grass. Christ, it looks fine. Sure, i've seen some games do better but

1) Out of all the visual elements in the screenshots, just about everything was so totally awesome that you really have to try hard to look at the grass and complain about it.
2) It's not finished yet. It could easily be their first terrain foliage pass and they haven't gone over it with a fine toothed comb yet.

People bitching about grass.

You're what's wrong with the world today.

There are some grass and weeds in my yard. you guys wanna see a screen shot of that?

Why this topic still open?

Hello everyone, I just wanted to point this out.

What OP is talking about is this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr0JICIYyzU. This is a trick used to cover up the sharp spikes that trees tend to show in pretty much all the games. Some work around is ether doing this, high polygon count just for grass, or restricting the camera so it wouldn't notice this (tera does this). Though, I don't think I could ever find myself getting upset over grass, I just wanted everyone to visually see what OP is talking about. Personally, I never noticed this on Just Cause 2 until someone pointed this out. I don't really care if it's implemented or not though.

http://dailyhomerenotips.com/wp-cont...-to-lawn-2.jpg

heres some 2d bad grass for the lot of you losers to weep over

So happy to be on Durandal right now without certain people who have no clue about anything. :) Sorry Balmung!

So, let me get this straight:

- OP says that Xenoblade's grass looks better because it's technically inferior, but uses a technique that makes it look better.
- So, OP says "downgrade the technical stuff, get better looking grass and improve (in theory) the framerates"
- Then people are saying "OMG HE WANTS BETTER GRASS! MY FPS! MY PC IS GOING TO EXPLODE!"

That about right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaizlu

So, let me get this straight:

- OP says that Xenoblade's grass looks better because it's technically inferior, but uses a technique that makes it look better.
- So, OP says "downgrade the technical stuff, get better looking grass and improve (in theory) the framerates"
- Then people are saying "OMG HE WANTS BETTER GRASS! MY FPS! MY PC IS GOING TO EXPLODE!"

That about right?

---

That has come up, but I think the majority of it is more like so:
-Hey, this grass looks crap!
-... Seriously?
-Yes! It looks crap!
-Lol non-issue

Then a meme congealed from it all, like a lifeform growing from a bunch of 5 day old strawberries. It's all quite beautiful actually.

After watching the gameplay footage, I think the local flora is rendered just fine. Some of it got zomed into very close as they panned the camera around. It looked just fine to me.

Really though.. "perfect" grass, all the same? Have you actually... been... outside of your room to the world beyond? If nothing, the screenshot grass looks more real to me as actual wild grass/flowers than anything else I've seen. *scratches head*

Is this whole thing just one big troll? I bet it is... Ah Balmung.. you attract the most unique snowflakes. (GASP up next: Snow fall rendered poorly! Fix nao?)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaizlu

So, let me get this straight:

- OP says that Xenoblade's grass looks better because it's technically inferior, but uses a technique that makes it look better.
- So, OP says "downgrade the technical stuff, get better looking grass and improve (in theory) the framerates"
- Then people are saying "OMG HE WANTS BETTER GRASS! MY FPS! MY PC IS GOING TO EXPLODE!"

That about right?

---

Precisely. The grass isn't worth game speed, and I think its a krock anyway.

How often do people stare at this stuff anyway?

So.. no one wants to see a screen shot of the grass in my yard?

Please dont change grass. Nothing wrong with it.

Why are people still bumping this?

http://www.andrewhazelden.com/blog/w...-the-grass.jpg

will 2.0 have snakes in 3d grass ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vassteel1

http://www.andrewhazelden.com/blog/w...-the-grass.jpg

will 2.0 have snakes in 3d grass ?

---

ahh thats so cute i love snakes great pic

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dragorian

ahh thats so cute i love snakes great pic

---

thank you! i too like cute snakes

i wonder is 2.0 will have any snake like mobs

lol talking about grass and weed. >.>

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vassteel1

http://www.andrewhazelden.com/blog/w...-the-grass.jpg

will 2.0 have snakes in 3d grass ?

---

holy shit a snake in the grass and not in a plane!? how absurd!

To OP: I much prefer the grass they made and that appear in the screenshots. It is much more diversified and realistic. Nature is not a big monoculture of simple green grass blades as your last screenshot tries to depict it.

My message to SE, keep the wild grass as wild grass, not a lawn.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dragorian

ahh thats so cute i love snakes great pic

---

Hello Mr. Peachpits and Sour grapes, who doesn't know sarcasm when he reads it and can't come up with a new reply for different people. :I

http://macsystems.com/Jun21-2007.jpg
Here's a screenshot of some grass from a massive multiplayer game called 'Real Life'. SE, make the grass look like this or I'll ragequit!

This thread needs more grass and weed. 3D grass and weed! oooooh!

I need some weed after seeing this thread...

For a MMO these graphics are leaps and bounds ahead of the competition, seriously you people are hard to please.

Better latency > Better grass.

Wow. Some of you guys have really taken this to a whole new level. I understand many of you are attached to the game and kind of defend it with a fight or flight type of response. I was just making a simple suggestion to the dev team, which they can consider.

Also, this thread is not about grass on the ground but the technique used to display the 2D plants that already exist in the game. It's not a suggestion to ADD to the plants or anything like that.

So, on to some of the posts.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ganbachi

http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy...g_Chocobos.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuKX52_z19s
FF13-2 grass looks amazing with the wind blowing. Wind physics adds a lot more to the feel.

---

Yeah that does look really good. It's kind of sad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arcell

You're comparing a single player console game to an MMO. You're an idiot lol.

---

This comment doesn't sound like it is coming from reason. But the grass technique used is less polys than the current technique.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gramul

Por que Espanol?



He wants a grass that looks good and doesn't burden the system.
I don't see why people are getting so upset with him. It's not like he's going to quit over it.

He just made a suggestion and people are all: "oh why don't you just quit" or "You're stupid!"
It's rude.

---

Um yeah! This.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alfortis

Hello everyone, I just wanted to point this out.

What OP is talking about is this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr0JICIYyzU. This is a trick used to cover up the sharp spikes that trees tend to show in pretty much all the games. Some work around is ether doing this, high polygon count just for grass, or restricting the camera so it wouldn't notice this (tera does this). Though, I don't think I could ever find myself getting upset over grass, I just wanted everyone to visually see what OP is talking about. Personally, I never noticed this on Just Cause 2 until someone pointed this out. I don't really care if it's implemented or not though.

---

^This right here is the same effect as Xenoblade.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaizlu

So, let me get this straight:

- OP says that Xenoblade's grass looks better because it's technically inferior, but uses a technique that makes it look better.
- So, OP says "downgrade the technical stuff, get better looking grass and improve (in theory) the framerates"
- Then people are saying "OMG HE WANTS BETTER GRASS! MY FPS! MY PC IS GOING TO EXPLODE!"

That about right?

---

Sounds about right. It's just mentally challenged people getting emotional about something when they should check themselves. Your life won't end if this game is late, blows up, or sucks.

Well, on the bright side. Besides peoples thoughts on how jump will get annoying, grass is the only thing people found worth flaming about. ARR seems like it will be a GREAT SUCCESS! VERY NICE!