Character graphical changes are NOT in an acceptable state, please make it optional

[Jeeqbit]

Here is the thing - this is the point where the community can, and should, provide feedback for the devs to hear.

I agree that the feedback should be provided, but I disagree that this is the point where it will be likely to make a difference. People are going to design their characters with the benchmark, so it would be problematic if what they made in the benchmark isn't what they get in Dawntrail.

There are subjective issues with the new models, as indicated by OP, that need to be tackled before the expansion is released.

If the issue is an actual bug, like a clipping issue, it could be put in the bug forum. I saw one get posted there. But many of the posts aren't bug-related and are just saying they don't like the change.

[ovIm]

I agree that the feedback should be provided, but I disagree that this is the point where it will be likely to make a difference. People are going to design their characters with the benchmark, so it would be problematic if what they made in the benchmark isn't what they get in Dawntrail.

Here is where I have to disagree - Square Enix can also just release an updated version of the benchmark with any fixes.
And, additionally, it is not wrong for paying customers to expect the product provided to match a certain quality. You say people can use a fantasia, I say that its unrealistic to expect people that have played a character for sometimes close to 10 years (ARR release) to change drastically because of something outside of their power to influence. Also, I checked the creator multiple times, not all of the issues are alleviated by fine tuning the models through Fantasia, since the character editor simply does not have as many features as other, more recent games.

If the issue is an actual bug, like a clipping issue, it could be put in the bug forum. I saw one get posted there. But many of the posts aren't bug-related and are just saying they don't like the change.

Could you link that thread perhaps? I was unable to find a feedback thread like that, and would like to contribute :)

[SpiritMuse]

You say people can use a fantasia, I say that its unrealistic to expect people that have played a character for sometimes close to 10 years (ARR release) to change drastically because of something outside of their power to influence.

I'm one of those people. I have played as this character for about 10 years. I have Fantasia'd a lot in between patches, but every time for MSQ I would go back to this character, because it was his story. I have written a backstory for this character. I have drawn this character in a fanmade artbook that was sent to the developers.

With these new updates, the added darkness to the eyes in particular gives the character a very different vibe and personality now. And no amount of Fantasia can fix this, because all the eye options are like this. I cannot fully recreate my character in this character creator.

[GreenLeafy]

Here is where I have to disagree - Square Enix can also just release an updated version of the benchmark with any fixes.
And, additionally, it is not wrong for paying customers to expect the product provided to match a certain quality. You say people can use a fantasia, I say that its unrealistic to expect people that have played a character for sometimes close to 10 years (ARR release) to change drastically because of something outside of their power to influence. Also, I checked the creator multiple times, not all of the issues are alleviated by fine tuning the models through Fantasia, since the character editor simply does not have as many features as other, more recent games.



Could you link that thread perhaps? I was unable to find a feedback thread like that, and would like to contribute

I don't really comment on forums often but I have to in this case -thank you so much for voicing the fact that for some people the excuse of just using a fantasia doesn't really cut it when you've been playing the game for literal years with the same look. I've been playing for 8 years with the same face and loading it up into the benchmark my heart absolutely sank how different my miqo'te looks. Regardless of how much tinkering you can do (albeit still not much due to the FFXIV chara creator being somewhat limited compared to most games) its impossible to bring back the same face or at the very least feel that he had to begin with. Looks so much more dull and lifeless now.
Its just heartbreaking seeing that the character you've grown attached to and sentimental about , tied with memories and screenshots with you and so many other people, is about to irrevocably change and be lost forever and you literally have no control over it. Sucks.

[DynnDiablos]

I don't really comment on forums often but I have to in this case -thank you so much for voicing the fact that for some people the excuse of just using a fantasia doesn't really cut it when you've been playing the game for literal years with the same look. I've been playing for 8 years with the same face and loading it up into the benchmark my heart absolutely sank how different my miqo'te looks. Regardless of how much tinkering you can do (albeit still not much due to the FFXIV chara creator being somewhat limited compared to most games) its impossible to bring back the same face or at the very least feel that he had to begin with. Looks so much more dull and lifeless now.
Its just heartbreaking seeing that the character you've grown attached to and sentimental about , tied with memories and screenshots with you and so many other people, is about to irrevocably change and be lost forever and you literally have no control over it. Sucks.

They aren't going to delay Dawntrail because folks are crying on the forums about the updates. Dawntrail is coming 6/28 whether you like it or not.

[PompoPompPump]

They aren't going to delay Dawntrail because folks are crying on the forums about the updates. Dawntrail is coming 6/28 whether you like it or not.

They don't have to delay even. Just make the change to characters optional, like they did with WoW. Then those who like the new changes can see their new characters, and others can keep their old design. It's not hard.

[Jijifli]

They don't have to delay even. Just make the change to characters optional, like they did with WoW. Then those who like the new changes can see their new characters, and others can keep their old design. It's not hard.

WoW doesn't let you use the old models, and haven't since I believe Legion.

It was a WoD only moment. The only way to play the old models is to play classic.

[EliaStormblade]

WoW doesn't let you use the old models, and haven't since I believe Legion.

It was a WoD only moment. The only way to play the old models is to play classic.

WoW also didn't upgrade/update its engine with WoD. It literally just made new character meshes, textures and rigs.

Dawntrail updates the entire way shaders are handled and objects and characters respond to lighting (which is also higher quality), and how shadows are cast in turn. Asking for an option to choose the old characters is like saying "just give us the option to flip a switch on a fundamental engine-level alteration."

[4clubbedace]

They don't have to delay even. Just make the change to characters optional, like they did with WoW. Then those who like the new changes can see their new characters, and others can keep their old design. It's not hard.

they are absolutely not going to do that

[Ancalagon_Blacktalon]

they are absolutely not going to do that

yeah, it'd be really hard. consider that the head apparently has a ton more bones now, which will inevitably affect how headgear works with it. Are they going to be making double the headgear (one new, one old) so that it renders properly on the old models? If our character has new facial expressions, they'd have to go do them for the old facial meshes/rigging as well, basically doubling their work in any given cutscene that has us do more than "" or ":|" or ":[". And that's not even going into whether the bodies got any changes - I had just heard about how they basically completely redid everything involving faces online earlier.