Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Kaziek]

i have needed to do conscious effort to not think too much of the topic:
"how much of this graph update was to sneakily kowtow to the gargantuan modding scene?" - probably not much, they want their golden goose to continue laying eggs into the future. but i think that consideration of that was part of something at some point in the process.



some places in the world have become so hecking dark.
maybe that new lighting fits balmung's quicksand, but guys... i admit i tried to be light hearted about this graph update, but i really think it gave the aesthetics of the game unfortunate downgrade.

link to something, because this forum makes me think of +10 year old explaining game design to kids flavour of videos all the time...


(thumbnail = link)

I actually doubt that modders were taken into consideration at all. It was probably mostly a marketing scheme to get people talking about the game more, and to get people to check it out because "ooh shiny new graphics." Good video by the way. I agree completely and will miss the old art style, but sadly we're in the minority here. A lot of people only really care about higher fidelity.

[Burmecia]

I actually doubt that modders were taken into consideration at all.

yeah, you're probably right.
coincidentally we just find ourselves in world where our game looks like modder-wowfugee#7858's pick:
"and this is how i make my shadows darker and my character optimally burned"

...wow
i too can mess my view by turning some brightness/contrast knobs on my +10 year old pc screen i use with my ps5.
no mods needed.

[Aimetrot]

We would like to thank everyone for their feedback regarding the graphical update.
The Development team has been carefully reviewing this thread and many others, including bug reports and concerns raised outside of the official forums.

We are currently working on an update based on the feedback provided, as well as preparing to share details about our planned course of action.
As these are undergoing thorough final inspections, we expect to make an announcement in late August.

Thank you all for your patience as we continue fine-tuning the graphical update.

[faiarrow]

We would like to thank everyone for their feedback regarding the graphical update.
The Development team has been carefully reviewing this thread and many others, including bug reports and concerns raised outside of the official forums.

We are currently working on an update based on the feedback provided, as well as preparing to share details about our planned course of action.
As these are undergoing thorough final inspections, we expect to make an announcement in late August.

Thank you all for your patience as we continue fine-tuning the graphical update.

Thank you for this.
Especially for making a post about it here on English side as well as the JP side we do genuinely feel like we're not able to have our voices heard.

Just this alone has given me a small spark of hope.

[TheDustyOne]

Community reps exist? They're not just myths and legends?

Well while I know they're here, I'll at least bring up the concerns I had with female highlander face 2 in previous threads that haven't been addressed since the original benchmark, namely these two posts.

The make up is masking an even bigger issue with this face.

Using facepaint to kill the makeup shows that the eye underneath is COMPLETELY different.

https://imgur.com/a/FccWKGC


These eye shapes are great and much needed but they are NOT a translation of the eyes choosen by the players. Can these please be made an option, rather than an overwrite?

And my own post:

May as well repost my comparison here and talk about the issues I have with the benchmark.

The comparisons both used eye shape 3, but they're noticeably different.

The other issues I had with the benchmark back then have thankfully been addressed since, it's just the shape of the eyes being noticeably different and the mouth not feeling right. I've swapped to shape 4 for the eyes since then, but it really shouldn't have had come to that.

[CidHeiral]

We would like to thank everyone for their feedback regarding the graphical update.
The Development team has been carefully reviewing this thread and many others, including bug reports and concerns raised outside of the official forums.

We are currently working on an update based on the feedback provided, as well as preparing to share details about our planned course of action.
As these are undergoing thorough final inspections, we expect to make an announcement in late August.

Thank you all for your patience as we continue fine-tuning the graphical update.

Holy cow a CM post :O

[cutestfox]

Very based
Remember this for when you're told to believe the NA forums are ignored and that our feedback will never be seen

[Doopliss]

We would like to thank everyone for their feedback regarding the graphical update.
The Development team has been carefully reviewing this thread and many others, including bug reports and concerns raised outside of the official forums.

We are currently working on an update based on the feedback provided, as well as preparing to share details about our planned course of action.
As these are undergoing thorough final inspections, we expect to make an announcement in late August.

Thank you all for your patience as we continue fine-tuning the graphical update.

Thank you so much!!! I never thought I would see one of these again!!!
Please, take what time you need to make sure things are touched up and adjusted with full care; I'm certain everyone will just be relieved to know they'll get to see their character again sooner than later...!

I know this is me expecting the best case scenario, but I want to believe...

[lunartears]

We would like to thank everyone for their feedback regarding the graphical update.
The Development team has been carefully reviewing this thread and many others, including bug reports and concerns raised outside of the official forums.

We are currently working on an update based on the feedback provided, as well as preparing to share details about our planned course of action.
As these are undergoing thorough final inspections, we expect to make an announcement in late August.

Thank you all for your patience as we continue fine-tuning the graphical update.

I'm grateful that our words have been heard as I've been in a lot of despair since the character changes, thank you very much for the official update.
I will wait with bated breath for the end of August and cautiously hope that a satisfying resolution is on the way.

[Bjorgot]

Dear Square Enix Team,

I hope this message finds you well.

First, I would like to express my gratitude for Dawntrail expansion looks fantastic, and I am currently working my way through it.

I am posting to propose an idea that I believe could further enhance the player experience in FFXIV: the introduction of a player-made NPC mechanic. This feature would allow players to create and customize their own NPCs, which could interact with other players in various ways, such as selling items or providing quests.

Key Features of Player-Made NPCs

Customizable Appearance and Dialogue:
Players could design their NPC’s appearance using a simplified version of the character creation system and write custom dialogue for more immersive interactions.

Placement and Pathing:
NPCs could be placed in player housing areas or designated public areas and be given paths to move around, adding a dynamic element to these spaces.

Merchant NPCs:
Players could set up NPCs to sell items from their inventory, with customizable prices and stock levels.

Quest-Giving NPCs:
Players could create custom quests for their NPCs to offer, including tasks such as gathering items, crafting specific objects, or defeating certain enemies, with rewards set by the player.

Additional Feature: Linked Questlines with Friends' NPCs
To further enrich the player experience, a feature allowing players to link questlines with their friends' NPCs could be implemented. This would enable players to create interconnected stories and collaborative quests, fostering a deeper sense of community and cooperation.

Benefits
Repopulation of Less-Frequented Areas:
This feature could help repopulate areas that are less frequently visited, making these spaces feel more alive and vibrant. While this might not be as effective in main cities, it could breathe new life into outlying regions and settlements.

Enhanced Player Engagement:
By encouraging creativity and personalization, players would have new ways to interact and trade, enhancing the social aspect of the game.

Economic Impact:
Player-run shops would add depth to the in-game economy, providing more opportunities for crafters and gatherers to sell their goods.

Greater Depth in Personalizing the World:
Allowing players to create and manage their own NPCs would enable them to leave a unique mark on the game world, increasing their sense of ownership and immersion.

In conclusion, I believe that introducing a player-made NPC mechanic, along with the ability to link questlines with friends' NPCs, could significantly enhance the depth and interactivity of FFXIV. It would also provide a means to revitalize less frequented areas, making the world feel more alive and personalized.

Thank you once again for your dedication and hard work. I am thoroughly enjoying the game and am excited for the Dawntrail expansion. Your commitment to delivering an outstanding gaming experience is greatly appreciated.

Best regards