Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Khryseis_Astra]

They definitely need to add more options to the character creator, but imo the old face/feature options should be refined/corrected first and be in their default places. The new updated versions could be some of the new options (and hopefully there will be even more!) for those that like them, but the stated goal was to change the existing characters “as little as possible,” while preserving “the look and feel,” so that should take priority. If you like the new changes you’ve had them for months, while other people have had their characters for years: they shouldn’t have to wait any longer for things to be fixed.

Just hoping at least the mouths get fixed… there are problems with eyes and noses still too, but the mouths are the most glaring issue imo.

[HawkeScream]

Welp here we go again huh. Character adjustments 3: electric shimmy? Idk. Here's hoping once again that everyone's issues get addressed from the first time. Nervous, little hopeful since whatever tiny things they did to Face 1 hyur last time really did help. Lotta nervous though.

Just hoping at least the mouths get fixed… there are problems with eyes and noses still too, but the mouths are the most glaring issue imo.

I agree with you Khryseis I'll be happy if they at least fix that. Though also hoping pupils get fixed back to their EW sizes. If they did those two things I could leave it alone at this point, at least for my characters (still rooting for fixes everyone else is having though!!)

[Heavenchild]

I hope that they fixed mouth and skintextures, that some faces come closer to what they used to look like before the update (for example Aura Face 2) and that they do something about Dunesfolk eyes, so that they get those vibrant cute/mystic look back, that they had before. *prays*
And I hope that nothing is going to get worse tbh. Q*Q

[Gaddes]

I honest to god hope free fantasia means SOMETHING substantial was fixed... going from 7.0 to 7.1 looked identical on my elezen and the mouth
GIVE ME BACK MY 6.0 MOUTH

[Winyumi]

Still no mention on Au Ra pupil size. I am hoping it's on their list of things to consider. If anything, please give us pupil options in the character creator! Then I can go back to being happy and loving my character the way I used to.

[CCheshire]

Hopefully, there will be some positive news and yeah same with odd new mouth shapes really changed my bnnuy's face. His face is less round too but I guess I'll just accept that part for now.

[Tarath]

Something that has bothered me since the start of the graphics update is the pores. I find them excessively detailed compared to the rest of the character model. Everything else has lower texture resolution where each pixel can be seen, such as the moustache and gear texture, and the chest piece is jarringly low poly in comparison to the face.

The sideburns are also detached/falling off from the face.

It’s much worse on elderly faces where it looks like they do not belong in the game when seeing them next to a youthful one.


Even when being next to a more sculpted face the pores still feel too much on an elderly face. The hairstyle also feels “fake” with how smooth and uniform it is.


It’s better from afar, but I still find the texture gritty while there’s no hint of it on the rest of the faces.


In a way I get the impression that the pores are meant to be admired up close, yet to me it simply highlights how it doesn’t belong with the style and limitations of the game.

Some additional notes I want to point out from this shot: The lips and jaw have visible polygon edges and the silhouette of the neck shows the neck seam.
There’s also this odd glow around the earring and on the neck.

Generally I notice it on a daily basis and I can’t deny it bothers me a bit, however it’s faint.

Glow between eyepatch and skin.


Under armpit and on arm.

It’s more noticeable with movement.


Standing next to a window in a house highlights how intense this effect can get, the light gets this duplicated effect from the eyepatch and the scale tips.

Sidenote, the stark light shows a rather grainy texture on the sclera and this weird bump near the treaduct.

Sometimes this highlight frames a character.


I’ve noticed something similar with the hair previews on the mog station which certainly is a choice that doesn’t look good in my opinion.


In regards to the hands, I personally would still have liked a more refined look, but regardless it’s an upgrade. However as far as I’m aware there has been no words about updating old gear to match the updated hands.



I intended to write about how lighting interacts with the new sculpts, but seeing mention of improved shadows in the patch notes, I’ll hold on to that. However I have my doubts that there will be much improvement on these matters, but I wouldn’t mind being surprised in that regard.

[Daralii]

snip

The blurry halos of light around models is a symptom of TAA, especially when poorly implemented. If you ever notice objects or terrain leaving weird afterimages as they get out of render range, it's the same thing at play, and I think that's also visible in other recent SE games like the VII remake/reboot/sequel series and XVI.

[CidHeiral]

However as far as I’m aware there has been no words about updating old gear to match the updated hands.

Every piece of gear is getting graphically updated eventually, it's just a matter of when. As each piece of hand gear is addressed they'll update it to match the higher poly fingers.

[Larirawiel]

Standing next to a window in a house highlights how intense this effect can get, the light gets this duplicated effect from the eyepatch and the scale tips.
https://i.imgur.com/wD6Cm9U.png
Sidenote, the stark light shows a rather grainy texture on the sclera and this weird bump near the treaduct.

The reason for it are completely wrong normal/parallax maps. I still can not believe, that they messed them up.


Cheers