Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Gaddes]

Since I don't know the history with the "hyurification," was the process of basing all the meshes off of a Hyur base mesh something that was done from the very beginning in 2.0, or was this something done with the graphic updates for Dawntrail? If it's recent, I worry that this might prevent them from doing larger changes if it's not compatible with that mesh conversion.

It also sounds like this might continue for a few more patches... for folks that don't have easy access to translation, the link from the earlier page was YoshiP saying this during the liveletter:

Final Fantasy XIV "83rd FFXIV Producer Letter LIVE"
(1:31:34-1:32:16)

"Well, we've been receiving a lot of detailed graphics updates from all over the world, and we're going to be making adjustments to them, especially to the characters, as I mentioned in the text the other day.

Of course, there are some things that can't be made in 7.1 alone, so we're going to let you know that these items have been added to 7.2 and we'll be working on them properly, so please check that out too.

However, it's all very nuanced, so if we just show you screenshots of what's going to happen, you'll end up noticing whether it's right or wrong, so we'll be delivering patches with thorough adjustments, so we hope you'll check them out and give us your feedback."

[Iscah]

Since I don't know the history with the "hyurification," was the process of basing all the meshes off of a Hyur base mesh something that was done from the very beginning in 2.0, or was this something done with the graphic updates for Dawntrail? If it's recent, I worry that this might prevent them from doing larger changes if it's not compatible with that mesh conversion.

Early in the process, they rather proudly showed off that they now have one basic face model that morphs to different proportions instead of having individually made faces with animations built for each one.

[Argantaelle]

When looking through Chinese lodestone threads, I've found this very interesting post about changes in the faces of Midlander males and how they affect the cutscenes and the plot in general.

Warning: HW and SHB spoilers ahead!

but I do think it would have been nice to have a slide mentioning that it will be covered in the next PLL at the end so we could have the translation right there, rather than hearing "graphical update" in amongst a sentence the vast majority of the English playerbase wouldn't understand and be left wondering what exactly was said until someone translated it for us...

It's even more difficult for non-English people like me, who have to "translate" Japanese phrases to English and then from English to my own language. I'm still not quite sure what exactly Mr. Yoshida said.

[Ysmia]

Weird Brows Animation


This is a Miqo'te Keeper using Face 4 Brows 5.
When expressionless the eyebrows match where the originals are, but when it comes to expressions they become distorted, making the character appear cartoonishly angry.

[FlamboyantAsBurningInferno]

The new lighting continues to ruin old cutscenes.

Endwalker 6.0.


Dawntrail 7.0

[lunartears]

[...]
For other races that's not the same problem. My Miqo'te and Au Ra haven't lost the non-human features that indicate their race, but they have lost the specific face shapes that defined them as individual people.

I hope this doesn't come across as dismissive because I understand where you are coming from and I have enjoyed reading your feedback (as with all) but I respectfully disagree about Au Ra.
I feel like my Au Ra lost her racial traits which to me were the small pupils, sharp nose and smaller mouth.
Though some would probably say those features (aside from the pupil size change) don't count as a defining racial feature and are more likely related to the update as a whole, so it's just my own interpretation after spending 3-ish years with this character.

Also, I apologise if my usage of "hyurification" has upset you. I have only used it in the way I would "humanificiation'" as Hyur is basically "human" in this game. Hyur is one of the races where I can most easily identify the changes so I don't think they are unscathed at all.

[FuturePastNow]

In the corresponding Japanese thread, a player retold Mr. Yoshida's words that screenshots can lead to confusion. It seems like we'll receive another black bag without an opportunity to preview its contents and have to deal with the results. At least that's what Google Translate tells me.

I'm afraid there won't be anything substantial in the next PLL too, except maybe for a brief mention: "We are working on characters; please look forward to it.".

So we'll have to endure yet another month of waiting and uncertainty.

They really ought to update the benchmark again once the next round of changes are "final", though I don't expect it.

[Garruss]

The new lighting continues to ruin old cutscenes.

Endwalker 6.0.


Dawntrail 7.0

That does ruin the whole feeling of that moment with the new lighting

[Moonfallen]

When looking through Chinese lodestone threads, I've found this very interesting post about changes in the faces of Midlander males and how they affect the cutscenes and the plot in general.

Warning: HW and SHB spoilers ahead!

Going through the link and the screenshots just solidifies I will NEVER go through the game on a new character again. It looks AWFUL, and I'm sorry to say this but they ruined their own game. They want to last another 10 years? I don't see that happening after fucking up this badly. So many people I know either play less or quit entirely because the entire vibe on the cutscenes is ruined by horrendous lighting, bad animations, and everyone looking like completely different people. Talking about this link and thread currently with a friend and going over all the screenshot comparisons and even they are asking what the devs were thinking.

[Astronis]

When looking through Chinese lodestone threads, I've found this very interesting post about changes in the faces of Midlander males and how they affect the cutscenes and the plot in general.

Warning: HW and SHB spoilers ahead!

Those all look fine to me, with maybe one out of the whole bunch being over-lit. Mostly they've just had that godawful grey overlay that used to make everything look bad removed. The lighting issue a few posts up in the scene after defeating Thordan, now THAT is a radical shift for the worse that needs to be fixed. These though? They're hardly different at all, certainly not enough to affect the plot.