Proof the graphics update was necessary.

[aiqa]

If SE really wanted to make characters more expressive, they could have done so with the current faces. SE is using a very limited number expressions in cutscenes, there are far more animations already available in FF. I don't see why they'll suddenly make better use of their available options just because of different head mesh.

[Ancalagon_Blacktalon]

If SE really wanted to make characters more expressive, they could have done so with the current faces. SE is using a very limited number expressions in cutscenes, there are far more animations already available in FF. I don't see why they'll suddenly make better use of their available options just because of different head mesh.

this whole change is happening because they couldn't do it with the current faces. the new head meshes have more detail and more rigging, which makes it easier to animate them.

Again, Aymeric's mouth needs more polys so that it actually works properly, but this game is ancient so they weren't able to do it (also I suspect their internal toolkit is a huge PITA to work with due to the nature of ARR's development).

But also, it's not just character faces. Like, unless you've been actively skipping this entire thread, it's also extremely crusted models and textures, which you can't update without it being really obvious which parts of the game are untouched. We already have somewhat have this effect in the game with Lv90 armors vs Lv50 armors in terms of texture detail.

[aiqa]

*snip*

So why would they suddenly use more animations that need a newly rigged heads, while previous cutscenes don't even even use half of the existing animations that work perfectly fine and are already available for the current mesh? And SE (almost) never makes variations of facial animations that are possible with the current rigs, outside of selling emotes. I already questioned that in my original post, but you completely glossed over it in your response. And a specific head having to few polygons to animate properly is not a convincing arguement. It's not that difficult to add a few more polygons and weight them. That doesn't need completely new rigs, much less prove anything.

Internal toolkit point is pure speculation, so I'll not address.

The game already is a huge mishmash of inconsitant texture resolution, mesh quality and scale issues. That isn't just "some". In particular environments can have perfectly fine parts right next to textures with meter long pixels. Almost square meshes. And objects scaled up hugely to give the illusion of being somewhat filled. I haven't seen anyone question environments needing some improvements.