Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Turnintino]

Ah, I see! Yeah, we're on the same page. ^_^b

[CidHeiral]

I feel like a good middle ground would be to adjust the character lighting slider to allow for it to go even darker than it currently is at zero. That would let people who enjoy the way things look now continue to do so, while letting those who preferred the old style have it back again.

That's a great idea. I'd definitely make use of that.

[noumen0nn]

That's a great idea. I'd definitely make use of that.

Ditto. I don't think the problem ends at characters being too brightly lit while in the shade either; I've been saying for a bit now that characters glow like lightbulbs in direct sunlight, especially those with paler skin. IMO character lighting is way too high across the board and looks terrible.

[Dazedu]

Are they really going to do something to the eyes? If so, that's great news. I gave up the game just because I just can't look at my cat with new eyes.

[Khryseis_Astra]

Are they really going to do something to the eyes? If so, that's great news. I gave up the game just because I just can't look at my cat with new eyes.

Next Live Letter coming November 1st… really hope we get some more details about exactly what they will change and what they will not, as well as some updated examples so we know what to expect!

[Erin1491]

Curious what people think considering the upcoming changes to characters again next patch. Should the free fantasia quest reappear for everyone who completed it? It seems only fair to give folks a chance to make adjustments if need be the same as DT launch.

[PaulusHamsteru]

I miss my old character.



The new one has no personality and looks weird as hell. He always has this blank look on his face now.

Yoshi, pls.

[noumen0nn]

Curious what people think considering the upcoming changes to characters again next patch. Should the free fantasia quest reappear for everyone who completed it? It seems only fair to give folks a chance to make adjustments if need be the same as DT launch.

Agreed, they really should so something like this

[Loggos]

This is super late but I wanted to make a comparison of my character as well.

It's Au Ra(f) Face 4. I miss her a lot.

I'm most annoyed by her mouth area so I focused on that.

Face 4's change to the eyes (bigger pupils, less intense stare) bothers me as well but I didn't have time to make an in-depth comparison of them.

I think other people have pointed this problem out before though so I hope it gets taken into account.

I compared the DT model to the original EW model as well as to an edit of the DT model where I tried to paint the old mouth back in as well as I could.
(Unfortunately I don't have pictures of my EW and DT char in the exact same situation so I wanted to make this extra comparison.)

The edited one is not a perfect comparison (I didn't get the upper lip right 1:1, sorry ) but I hope it can still demonstrate the key differences.

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Baseline




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In the one below I made a "compromise" regarding her jaw to adjust the balance of the proportions to the new DT model.
(The lips are the same as in the other edit.)
It's less puffed up, like in EW, but the face has the same length as in DT (the EW one is slightly shortened).

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Comparison

In DT her cheeks are more puffy. The shadows at the corners of her lips are more pronounced, adding to the puffed up look.

To me she looks like she has a constant subtle "Hmpf"-expression.
She looks more "mildly displeased" than "fierce/piercing".

The lips are also a lot more curvy in every aspect: the philtrum, the shapes of the upper and lower lip, as well as the line where the upper and the lower lip meet.
(See gifs below for detailed demonstrations.)


(This is the most flattering lighting btw. It reduces the puffiness as much as possible, and yet you can still see it. In other lighting situations it is much more pronounced.)


Original EW vs. DT

(Ignore the DT eyebrows. I changed them after launch so they can't be compared to the EW eyebrows but I only noticed this after I was done with my editing. orz)












DT vs. Edit

[Loggos]

Au ra face 4 comparison

(Sorry for the double post but I can't add any more graphics to the first one.

Edit: Also, I'm sorry for taking up so much space on this page but I wanted to do these comparisons as thoroughly as possible and for several characters, hoping it's somewhat useful feedback if the devs really look at this thread.)

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Here is an example of the change "in action". The graphics update completely altered the way emotes look. Those are not the same facial expressions and I really miss the EW one.

The "puffiness" and somewhat puckered lips are also a lot more visible here. Same goes for the differences regarding the general face shape and jaw line.
This reflects the average ingame look a lot more than the CC images.





Schematic drawings:

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Edit: Viera and Elezen

Last one, I promise! :'D

But I was able to take some EW benchmark screenshots and made some thorough face comparisons for my viera and elezen, since they've been hit pretty hard, as well.

(I made a proper full-face comparison of my Au Ra too this time, so I'll include it as well.)


Viera (m), face 3

I'm not gonna say much and let the pictures speak for themselves because that's just a different face.
The mouth and the face shape are the biggest offenders but the nose and the eyes are different too.
(The latter lost that confident/piercing gaze. The colours of the lashes, the iris and the pupil have been muted so much the eyes now look "cloudy"/glassy/milky and lifeless. Please bring the original saturation back. The DT eyes are also slightly softer/smoothed down whereas the EW eyes' shapes are "sharper".)

The DT face doesn't look terrible at least (though I definitely prefer the EW version) but this is definitely not adapted "as closely to the original as possible".





Schematic drawings:

Elezen (m), face 3

This has to be one of the most egregious examples I have seen because not only is the new face completely different, it also doesn't look all that appealing anymore.

The mouth is such a downgrade. In top of that it has lost all its sheen (even though the DT face is wearing light lip colour!). The nose and the eyes have been altered significantly, as well, and are straight-up different features.
Also, the ears! I liked the old ones better, esp. the pointy tips.
Lastly, the whole face just looks terribly flat now. (And no, it's not just the CC lighting. He looks like that ingame as well.)





Schematic drawings:

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Au ra (f), face 4

Everything's already been said but here is a proper full face comparison to make it complete.






Schematic drawings: