GFX: Please add Draw Distance options/slider to configuration

I just started FFXIV a few days ago. One thing I've noticed is that on my current hardware, is that there is a certain "sweet spot" for the camera, and that's when the camera is pointed slightly toward the ground, limiting the amount of distance the computer hardware draws.
This is an old trick I've used in PC gaming for a long time when computer performance is less than satisfactory or when the computer struggles from a demanding game (such as FFXIV).

When I have the camera angled just right I get about 20~25 FPS; 5~10 FPS maximum otherwise.

Settings -
Windowed, 1280x720
Low Textures
"Background Quality": 2
"General Drawing Quality": 6


Please don't tell me to "go buy a new computer." That is not a solution for me. The purpose of my posting is to point to the setting that says Background Quality, and suggest that there needs to be an additional option added to this either in-game via a slider, or through ffxivconfig.exe.
Bottom line:
There needs to be a new setting for Draw Distance. This could help many vastly improve client performance without sacrificing visual quality.

Buy a new computer.

But yes there should be an easier way to change draw distance. However, I can't see myself enjoying the game when I can't see 5 meters in front of my character.

I have a 90 bucks GPU and no performance issues with draw distance.

I am aware that the engine is poorly optimized but adding config options for people with ass old hardware is going too far.

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Originally Posted by Seraphite

Buy a new computer.

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If I had the money, buying a new computer would be one solution.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seraphite

However, I can't see myself enjoying the game when I can't see 5 meters in front of my character.

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Not sure if you're trying to be funny or completely serious. Anyways, if it bothers you that much then you could just leave the setting at the default maximum, "5 meters in front of you" or whatever it is. :)

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Originally Posted by Ilean

I am aware that the engine is poorly optimized but adding config options for people with ass old hardware is going too far.

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What's wrong with adding more options? They already did it once. Oh, I guess they went "too far" then too. :mad:

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Originally Posted by sirdayne

What's wrong with adding more options? They already did it once. Oh, I guess they went "too far" then too. :mad:

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Apparently making the game playable on a wider range of computers isn't a good thing for the game.

I agree with this suggestion. I also would like to add that they axe the out of game configuration tool altogether and make it accessible within the game. It's annoying to fine tune your settings when you need to keep exiting out of the game.

There has to be a limit. If he wants to play the game on a 4 years old computer he should at least try the lowest settings, not go to draw quality 6 then whine that his framerate is too low.

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Originally Posted by Kurokikaze

Apparently making the game playable on a wider range of computers isn't a good thing for the game.

I agree with this post. I also would like to add that they axe the out of game configuration tool altogether and make it accessible within the game. It's annoying to fine tune your settings when you need to keep exiting out of the game.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ilean

There has to be a limit. If he wants to play the game on a 4 years old computer he should at least try the lowest settings, not go to draw quality 6 then whine that his framerate is too low.

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Look, I'm trying to make the game look as good as possible without making it look like I'm on a funky old PlayStation 2, which is what the gfx look like when you lower the settings too much. Futhermore, this computer is only 1 & a half years old.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sirdayne

Look, I'm trying to make the game look as good as possible without making it look like I'm on a funky old PlayStation 2, which is what the gfx look like when you lower the settings too much. Futhermore, this computer is only 1 & a half years old.

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So post your hardware and maybe we can help.

I hate walking in limsa. All the cliffs have this odd "peeling detail" effect going over them because the edge of the normal mapped and non normal mapped scenery is so different.