Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Argantaelle]

So I guess it's up to the players to decide what to do from now on: accept the current state of things despite a year's worth of feedback, start breaking ToS, or stop p(l)aying entirely.
Feels great :^)

I thought about my choices. I'm still playing because I enjoy PvE and doing stuff with my friends. It's Mists of Pandaria all over again, when I was only raid-logging for the whole expansion. So I'm going to log only for raids now, at least for the current savage tier, as I've already promised. The world has lost its charm; my character is dead; there is nothing left for me anymore (and I very much dislike being lied to my face). Maybe it's time to try new types of team PvE.

I think I'll make one more post (or more like a series of posts, haha) about female characters smiles, and that's all.

[potatsdevourer]

Alright. Here is my character from 7.1 and 7.2


Let's play a game! Can you spot the difference?
That's right, it is:
1.) Eyebrows
...

And that's it! That's what takes them so long patching from 7.1 to 7.2!
(SE, please just give us slider/customizeable character creation. You will thank us for the only upfront headache, really)

[Liamont]

When I logged in, I thought something looked different with my character (elezen male), and that he looked more similar to what he used to before DT. A friend even said out of the blue that they thought my character looked more gaunt. But when I went into the inn to take comparison shots, it looks exactly the same as 7.1. Now I'm very confused at what exactly was changed, because it doesn't seem like anything was changed at all. Except he does look different somehow when not in the inn. I have no idea what's going on.

Also checked my Au Ra male and he looks just as bad as 7.1. Is it so difficult to ask for a list detailing exactly what changes happened, instead of us players needing to cross-examine our characters' faces to spot the difference?

[Loggos]

Alright. Here is my character from 7.1 and 7.2


Let's play a game! Can you spot the difference?
That's right, it is:
1.) Eyebrows
...

And that's it! That's what takes them so long patching from 7.1 to 7.2!
(SE, please just give us slider/customizeable character creation. You will thank us for the only upfront headache, really)

I also think they changed the lighting again?
Your features look the same in shape (minus the eyebrows) but they appear different to me in the sense that they have more depth and nuance in their shadows and colours. There's a stronger gradient from shadow to light in 7.2 I think. That's not to take away at all from your frustration about the sculpt changes. The lighting itself just feels a bit more realistic now and makes "everything" it lights a tad more "well-rounded" if that makes sense.
Still wish they'd actually fix the faces of course.

[Keiizah]

Despite all the complaints, very little changes has been done to miqo'te face 4. It is better than what we had at launch, but it's still has big glaring issues. Particularly with the eyes. The highlights are way too high, so you never see them on certain eye shapes and it makes character look dead inside.
Miqo'te face 4, no highlights are seen
Miqo'te face 1, looks fine, highlights are seen like they should be

Old problem's such as changed eye and lip shape (tho it did got better, but can't we really get rid of curved up lip corners??), making the expression look tired. it also conflicts with existing facial expressions, making them either too overly expressive 9sam problem was noted with m!aura face 1) and because mouth is still smiling, looks confusing with negative emotions like furrow (makes it look like he's smiling while being grumpy which doesn't make sense), there is no neutral emote anymore. Keeper's eye slight was also almost removed, it doesn't look as sharp and defined as it was pre-dt. New dawntrail eye textures also make colours look darker and it's not always fixable with fantasia

After an update skin looks grainy, it is especially noticeable on darker skin. It's also only present on the face, and ends around neck seam. It looks like what we had at last dt becnhmark, with sub-surface scattering looking weird, and giving character's slightly wax-like look

[TheVegetable]

Despite all the complaints, very little changes has been done to miqo'te face 4. It is better than what we had at launch, but it's still has big glaring issues. Particularly with the eyes. The highlights are way too high, so you never see them on certain eye shapes and it makes character look dead inside.
Miqo'te face 4, no highlights are seen
Miqo'te face 1, looks fine, highlights are seen like they should be

Old problem's such as changed eye and lip shape (tho it did got better, but can't we really get rid of curved up lip corners??), making the expression look tired. it also conflicts with existing facial expressions, making them either too overly expressive 9sam problem was noted with m!aura face 1) and because mouth is still smiling, looks confusing with negative emotions like furrow (makes it look like he's smiling while being grumpy which doesn't make sense), there is no neutral emote anymore. Keeper's eye slight was also almost removed, it doesn't look as sharp and defined as it was pre-dt. New dawntrail eye textures also make colours look darker and it's not always fixable with fantasia

After an update skin looks grainy, it is especially noticeable on darker skin. It's also only present on the face, and ends around neck seam. It looks like what we had at last dt becnhmark, with sub-surface scattering looking weird, and giving character's slightly wax-like look

Miqo face 1's mouth still looks completely wrong, especially with certain mouth options. The lower lip's shape needs correction. It's not as noticeable if you don't use heavy lip colour, but if you do, the diffference in appearance is pretty big. Especially for mouth 4. The eyes do somehow seem kinda better though, but yea, they could still use some work I think.

[Anarnee]

Anyone go look to see Aymeric yet? I am to scared to go look at him...

[riani]

They definitely changed the fem highlander eyes, and to be honest, I'm quite impressed with it!

I feel now it's based on the original intention. The eyes look bigger, the outer corner lifted, and I also notice how they patched up the eyebrows, which was a nuisance for many.
And corrected the face paint position too! \o/

[potatsdevourer]

I also think they changed the lighting again?
Your features look the same in shape (minus the eyebrows) but they appear different to me in the sense that they have more depth and nuance in their shadows and colours. There's a stronger gradient from shadow to light in 7.2 I think. That's not to take away at all from your frustration about the sculpt changes. The lighting itself just feels a bit more realistic now and makes "everything" it lights a tad more "well-rounded" if that makes sense.
Still wish they'd actually fix the faces of course.

Might be that they changed the lighting again. Based on patch note, the only thing that clearly stated was SSAO in relation to lighting, but it does not affect character.
Regardless, people would be less frustrated if they just (please) itemize the change. Now people are just playing spot the difference like it is Dora the Explorer lol

Also I have not take the time difference into account which might cause the subtle difference. Here is the condition:
1. These two photos were taken inside my apartment, with single imitation window on the side.
2. Light source is not from ceiling lamp, but from limelight
3. I changed the lipstick color actually, hence why there is subtle difference

[HawkeScream]

When I logged in, I thought something looked different with my character (elezen male), and that he looked more similar to what he used to before DT. A friend even said out of the blue that they thought my character looked more gaunt. But when I went into the inn to take comparison shots, it looks exactly the same as 7.1. Now I'm very confused at what exactly was changed, because it doesn't seem like anything was changed at all. Except he does look different somehow when not in the inn. I have no idea what's going on.

Also checked my Au Ra male and he looks just as bad as 7.1. Is it so difficult to ask for a list detailing exactly what changes happened, instead of us players needing to cross-examine our characters' faces to spot the difference?

This happened to me with my femhyur in 7.1. I couldn't see anything different or put my finger on anything in particular, but in game she FELT just a little more right than before with whatever they did. I'm happy for you it's a little better!