Dawntrail Graphics Update - Eye Strain

[LucisBlack]

Bump to mention:

At least we're getting two days of game time added next week (source) . Ten days if you're on Xbox Series X|S lmao.

Xbox was having that many issues eh? Might explain why the issues pointed out in this thread seem to be very low priority at the moment (not even an official mention about them).

[Cherrizini]

I feel like they needed to work on this graphical update more before pushing it to live servers. So many issues, and yeah, the eye strain is very very annoying.

[Vesplume]

There needs to be some kind of toggle(s) for reducing flickering effects. I'm on PS5 and can't adjust most of the settings that have been mentioned here. I managed to get through MSQ but some of the effects used in areas, cutscenes, and especially dungeons are so bad I can't imagine revisiting any of that content. The migraines have been awful and if the devs continue to ignore this (similar complaints have been going around since at least 5.5), I'd have to drop the game entirely. I'm hoping the follow up announcement to the housing one is more forthcoming about the general issues.

[Ephremjlm]

Okay I thought I was crazy, but there are definitely weird blurring effects and maybe even darkening effects that either just weren't as noticeable before or that have become an issue with the update. Generally everything looks good but it seems like there is a weird fake aperture going on and sometimes it effects the text boxes, characters, backgrounds, and even when I go from standing still to slight motion I notice and actual darkening of the screen. Tested this in multiple zones and was baffled.

[Ainariel]

I didn't have a problem with it when I was doing the story, but after a day of grinding levels in dungeons, I've also had an issue with eye strain. I've never had this issue with the game before. I was wondering if might need to turn off my own spell effects or something, I have it set to only show mine, but with all the stuff going on in some fights, I feel like I might need to just have them all off.

I thought this was just me, but I'm relieved to read that someone else noticed that something about the player's own battle effects has changed. Before the graphics update I didn't mind setting my battle effects on e.g. BRD or SMN to "Full", but after the update I'm seriously considering keeping my own battle effects "Limited" all the time since the bright flashes give me headaches. All the effects are so bright now that even fiddling with gamma doesn't help.

[HauntedLasagna]

Free game time that some can't use because it hurts to play and an acknowledgement of.. HOUSING lighting being a problem.. its something I guess? But also not really? At least they mentioned some of it is bugs. I guess now to wait until August and see if they actually follow through with fixing anything.

[Wind-Krysvein]

Well then.

I have been made aware, via official tech support, that the developers are indeed aware of this situation, and are keeping tabs on this forum post as they work on a solution.

Getting them to admit as much has been a tad too difficult for my personal liking, but better late than never. This should at least quell some of the anxiety surrounding the topic.

[Erinellza]

Well then.

I have been made aware, via official tech support, that the developers are indeed aware of this situation, and are keeping tabs on this forum post as they work on a solution.

No idea why it was so hard to get them to admit as much, but this should at least quell some of the anxiety surrounding the topic.

Finally some good news, thanks for the info!

[Klauth]

I thought this was just me, but I'm relieved to read that someone else noticed that something about the player's own battle effects has changed. Before the graphics update I didn't mind setting my battle effects on e.g. BRD or SMN to "Full", but after the update I'm seriously considering keeping my own battle effects "Limited" all the time since the bright flashes give me headaches. All the effects are so bright now that even fiddling with gamma doesn't help.

Setting the gamma to 0 doesn't even come close when i had it at 40 before dawntrail launch comparing it to old screenshots. They dialed the base brightness way above what they should have and eliminated the smooth transition between light and shadow, its a really heavy contrast taxing on the eyes.

This might not be the best example but, if you pick an aetheryte in the first Dawntrail main city and fiddle with the gamma from 0 to 100 you'll instantly see that the aetheryte doesn't change too much compared to the rest of the scenery, it remains near the same white intensity along the gamma.

This is resulting in everything looking brighter being it reflections, battle effects, glare, even the character skin or hair is reflecting way too much light. Or certain situations with heavy weather where there shouldnt be much light reflecting from the ground and yet its very bright.

Of course this is all theory but, it does look really off to me fiddling with these settings.

[Araxes]

Adding to this after my last post. While i get used to it after a while, i notice how playing FFXIV makes me very tired after a short while since the update. I just had a nap cause i felt i hadn't slept after playing a few hours. Then went back playing and felt tired again after half an hour.

Edit: it is even worse if used with FSR and the inbuilt sharpening filter. The sharpening Filter is extremely taxing on the eyes.