Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[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:

[eohippus]

I think loggos' viera is another good example of how much more gray/cool toned dark skin tones have become with the update. I'm not sure if its partially because of how overtuned the shine is on dark skin now, but its really a shame. xiv has never had the best color palette or skin tone options, but now (other than male mooncats bizarrely being a little bit more warm toned for some reason), it feels like across the board a lot of the little warmth that was there has been pulled out of certain colors.
(There's probably more going on than just the shine though because I just remembered that some of my friends who play dark skinned au ra with fantasy skintones also had their undertones completely change)

[Kaziek]

I think loggos' viera is another good example of how much more gray/cool toned dark skin tones have become with the update. I'm not sure if its partially because of how overtuned the shine is on dark skin now, but its really a shame. xiv has never had the best color palette or skin tone options, but now (other than male mooncats bizarrely being a little bit more warm toned for some reason), it feels like across the board a lot of the little warmth that was there has been pulled out of certain colors.
(There's probably more going on than just the shine though because I just remembered that some of my friends who play dark skinned au ra with fantasy skintones also had their undertones completely change)

I think at least part of this is due to the fact that the environmental light seems to have far less effect on characters now. Warmer lighting used to influence skin tone a more substantial amount, so now things tend to look off because our characters just stick out from the environment way too much.

[Loggos]

I think at least part of this is due to the fact that the environmental light seems to have far less effect on characters now. Warmer lighting used to influence skin tone a more substantial amount, so now things tend to look off because our characters just stick out from the environment way too much.

I think that's certainly a reason! But even in the CC the entire palette of skin tones is a lot more desaturated to begin with so I guess it's a combination of many issues coming together.