Dawntrail Graphical Update - Au Ra Feedback

I apologize if my thread belongs elsewhere. I do not really use the forums, so I was unsure.

I appreciate the development team's hard work on the new graphical update. I know some changes are inevitable and will just take some time getting used to, but when I made my character in the new benchmark I could not get over the very dark eyeshadow that now comes prepackaged with the male Au ra face 3.

https://i.imgur.com/nUotdtZ.pnghttps://i.imgur.com/6Obu0pm.png

(7.0 is above, current below)

As you can see, the eyelid and the inner corner of the eye is noticeably darker in the updated version. I can kind of understand what they were going for and I can see some people enjoying this change, but I am not among them. I could see this being a toggle, but as it is I am upset about how much it changes my character's general expression and vibe. I would very much like an option to remove this makeup/dark shadow.

(I know the character creator lighting is not the best, but I tried different lighting as well as the benchmark trailer itself, this is also not dependent on eye shape/eyebrow/other features/face paint choices - so the free fantasia will not fix my problem. I am very attached to my character so I'm a little stumped on what to do.)

Feel free to post other Au Ra related graphical update feedback in this thread as well, as I know I am not the only person with concerns.

Edit: Made a more detailed comparison as well as tried to make an edited version based on my suggestions.

https://i.imgur.com/GHUXO12.png

Au Ra player checking in, I am personally upset about the lip changes on my character. I made my character's lips white as I wanted her to have a very pale ghostly appearance and it went well with the glossiness of the original lips. Now I feel that the new lips are too flat for my WoL and too visible compared to my original intention. To me, it looks like her lips have been filled :( I much rather preferred the "more mouth than lip" before, it's the entire reason I chose the "Light" option and white.

Old on left and new on the right:

https://i.imgur.com/56O35Hc.png

Granted I am not a fan of change but this is very noticeable to me, it's the first thing my eyes are going towards now. I'm not a fan of how the eyes or nose look either, I feel like this is not my WoL anymore.

I also weep for the loss of the sharper eyes and unsettling look for Auri women.

Just noticed that the face shape seems more rounder now too :(

Well, it seems like if your au ra has a darker skintone, the transition from scales to skin on Au Ra are scoffed beyond belief:

https://i.imgur.com/wyKY77C.png
--
https://i.imgur.com/Il0gjIk.png

This is awful, and I hope this gets corrected before release :/
(all images are from the benchmark character creator)

Mao confusled. Is no indication on pictures which is old and which is DT.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lunartears

Now I feel that the new lips are too flat for my WoL and too visible compared to my original perception.

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Really?
Personally I think the lips are less visible if anything.
Especially on your last comparison.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eraden

Mao confusled. Is no indication on pictures which is old and which is DT.

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Look at the quality of the scales and horns. If they are more finely detailed it's the benchmark.
That's how I spot which one's which at least.

Honestly a lot of the textures suffer from pretty bad compression artifacting.
I also weep for the pupil being changed so nonchalantly.

Also it seems they made all the female Au Ra nostrils wider not a fan.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Evergrey

Really?
Personally I think the lips are less visible if anything.
Especially on your last comparison.

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It might be the gloss removal, I think it looked a lot better with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lunartears

It might be the gloss removal, I think it looked a lot better with it.

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Lack of gloss and the lack of the dark line between the lips.

Mao nots impressed. Mao askings if peoples will gets free fantasia with DT. Mao mights need make some changes. Mao most worried abouts peoples reportings hairs goings from black to grey.