Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Aco505]

I don't see this happening maybe ever, unfortunately. They can improve the bump and diffuse mapping on the bodies till the cows come home, but in terms of the poly count (the main issue, some might argue), improving the geometry would require that they edit every piece of gear that reveals any part of the body, since the two are attached. When you put on a piece of gear, you're fully replacing that part of the character's body (this is how things like the 2B glam giving female characters different butts are possible); gear doesn't actually lay over the body.

So, while I hate to beat this particular dead horse, that seems like too much work for a team who still won't let two entire races wear most headgear, new or old. Maybe someday, but probably not today lol.

As players, we have the right to hold them accountable and provide feedback to improve the game. I will never stop asking for improvements to the game precisely because I know they can do it, they just choose not to for one reason or another.

This is the game keeping the company alive, and even if the executives give them the bare minimum resources to work with, they should still fight internally to get more, as the players request.

[sekkatolire]

I've personally really enjoyed this feature, please don't get rid of it Square! It doesn't have to continue to be red, but the light coming through the horns has been a really great addition in my opinion.

[Tahli]

I don't know if a lot of people just didn't read to the end, but they stated:
"Even regarding items that are spec, although it may be difficult at this time, in the future we will look into adding more character creation options, among other things."

They'll look into adding more CC options. This is GREAT news! Those added options may very well be the bridge connecting people who like the old designs and people who like newer, changed features.

[SongOfTheWind]

also also at risk of sounding a little dumb wtf does "spec" mean in the context used in the announcement..? i dont think ive ever heard it used in this way LOL, cant tell if theyre saying those are intentional or what.

“It’s not a bug, it’s a feature”

[Dysvalence]

Of the things we can realistically expect the devs to do in this situation, this is imo one of the better ones, and they list most the stuff I personally care about. For every person saying that this is insultingly inadequate, there's another calling it a waste of dev time.

What bothers me though, is that there's no way it wouldn't require multiple rounds of iteration with plenty of two way communication, and they should have realized that they'll need to lean on community feedback far more frequently even if it means having their WIPs shredded in public- it's going to happen anyway when an update goes live. But through ignorance or arrogance they were completely caught off guard at the first benchmark, and are now trying to keep up with the hole they dug themselves into by operating on geologic timescales. There's a grievous organizational error somewhere.

[Dysvalence]

wtf does "spec" mean

Specification. Still an odd translation choice tho

[SongOfTheWind]

I don't know if a lot of people just didn't read to the end, but they stated:
"Even regarding items that are spec, although it may be difficult at this time, in the future we will look into adding more character creation options, among other things."

They'll look into adding more CC options. This is GREAT news! Those added options may very well be the bridge connecting people who like the old designs and people who like newer, changed features.

Oh, I’ve read. To me it’s the same kind of “we will look into it” as viera and hrothgar players have been waiting for since 2019. So it may as well not be there at all.

[noumen0nn]

The downplaying is very apparent here as well. Yes, lighting does play a big part in the appearances- but it does not change the fact that some faces and their parts are just objectively completely different.

Exactly this. Take a look at any of the unique NPC faces that were not updated, like Lyse, pre-ShB Thancred, etc. Despite the new lighting engine, they look 100% the same. You cannot convince me that it would be difficult to upscale the player head models while preserving their look.

[Fawkes]

also also at risk of sounding a little dumb wtf does "spec" mean in the context used in the announcement..? i dont think ive ever heard it used in this way LOL, cant tell if theyre saying those are intentional or what.

As in a "spec sheet", something would be spec if it meets all the criteria on the spec sheet.

[noumen0nn]

Of the things we can realistically expect the devs to do in this situation, this is imo one of the better ones, and they list most the stuff I personally care about. For every person saying that this is insultingly inadequate, there's another calling it a waste of dev time.

What bothers me though, is that there's no way it wouldn't require multiple rounds of iteration with plenty of two way communication, and they should have realized that they'll need to lean on community feedback far more frequently even if it means having their WIPs shredded in public- it's going to happen anyway when an update goes live. But through ignorance or arrogance they were completely caught off guard at the first benchmark, and are now trying to keep up with the hole they dug themselves into by operating on geologic timescales. There's a grievous organizational error somewhere.

Agreed. There have been so many missteps with Dawntrail (this update, the MSQ, job adjustments, etc.) that feel like they could've been avoided or mitigated if there were a stronger line of communication between the devs and the community. Not only do we not have that, but recent communications have felt utterly dishonest. The downplaying of some of these issues to things like "improved normal maps" rings the same way as Yoshi P taking the mountains of criticism toward Wuk Lamat and coming back with "oh we just needed to make her more confident!", as if that was anyone's feedback.