Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Risough]

I have some requests regarding male Highlander face 4 after noticing changes in my character with the new graphics update. A lot of my feedback overlaps what I said in the updated benchmark thread: https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...89#post6484989

Face Type: 4
Jaw: Type 3
Eye: Type 3
Brow: Type: 1 in 6.5 and earlier, Type 3 in 7.0
Nose: Type: 1
Mouth: Type 3

Face 4 has gone from a gentle impression of a highlander to a much stronger one. There are prominent brow furrows in the updated graphics and they make the face feel more weary and aged. The change seems to be a combination of the new lighting and the geometry where the brow meets the nose. Harsh lighting from above and behind make the furrows especially noticeable.

Here are some examples of these furrows from some early cutscenes in Dawntrail (JP name
黄金の遺産 or use 7.0). In this first set of photos I am using eyebrow shape 3.









I also took some comparison shots using 6.x cutscenes. I had to revert some changes I'd made between 6.5 and 7.0 for these screenshots. In the photos below I am using eyebrow type 1.

① There is a pronounced furrow and bump at the brow. The shading is much stronger across the upper nose bridge when compared to the face from 6.5. I can see hints of the geometry used to create the updated graphics in the previous face, but I feel they have been pushed too far.

These changes gives a stronger impression of a highlander and makes the character seem more aggressive. There was some gentle shading to suggest furrows prior to 7.0, but these soft furrows did not impose such a strong and angry expression.







② There is a defined wrinkle extending from the edge of the brow down the side of the nose. This wrinkle is present regardless of lighting conditions. Prior to 7.0 this area had very soft shading that allowed you to better focus on the character's eyes.



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[Risough]

Previous Post

My character looks the same in 7.1 as he did in 7.0. The lines at the inner corner of the eyes remain. The philtrum and upper center tubercle of the lips are still flattened relative to how they looked in Endwalker. I hate to think that the feedback I worked to put together was dismissed as spec, but if so I urge the team to reconsider that stance!







As I've played in 7.0 I've noticed the lines in the inner eye deform strangely with expression. Any time he raises his eyebrows in surprise or concern they stretch as though they're drawn on. I also think the eyebrows may be weighted a bit too strongly as their expression feels exaggerated.



The furrows almost look to be the result of the upscaling algorithms that were applied to the old texture, which Yoshi-P discussed in the benchmark update announcement. I reiterate my request to have these lines adjusted or softened to get the face closer to the feel the face has had until 7.0. There is also a sort of texture to the nose. These could also be due the upscaling algorithm. I've taken some screenshots of my character in a few different lighting conditions that best show that texture:



Some have mentioned that the expressions feel off and I agree after reviewing my screenshots. The upper lip seems to be stiffer when my character smiles. The smile is more of a curl at the corner of the mouth rather than across the whole mouth as you'd see in real life.



The issue doesn't affect every expression but I've seen it in a lot of cutscenes. The /smile emote feels more natural and is closer to the way characters smiled before the update. A lot of the smiles after the update seem to use /simper, which is a lot stiffer. Look at the difference between /smile and /simper:




I echo the calls to keep working on player character expressions and features. While there have been improvements in the overall lighting, player character faces are still in need of care.