Alpha First Look: Video 3 - The Black Shroud

[Warlock]

Is it just me or does it seem like the shading model has been simplified? In version 1.0 it seems like we have a full modern diffuse/specular/bump/gloss map, but I'm only noticing diffuse/bump in these videos (except for water and aetherites). The result is that everything looks a little plain. I'd have to see a character in shiny armor to be sure, but I haven't gotten a good look.

Maybe I should go check out the old limit break trailer and see if I can make out how things are shaded.

However it seems to me that they have simplified the animation and the shading for the PS3. I don't mind as long as it looks good, but the complex shading was one thing that really made FFXIV version 1.0 stand out.

I really liked how, using a gloss map, you can make cloth look soft, leather look leathery, and armor look metallic. It lent a kind of reality to how your gear looked that was really compelling.

Nah what made 1.0 stand out were the server crashes... you can have those tho i'll be happy in 2.0 !!!

[Malakhim]

Happy Thanksgiving indeed. I love the music throughout the entire video. I just wish that short piano theme that plays at the beginning were longer.

[MicahZerrshia]

I remember when I started the beta for 1.0 how impressed I was with the graphics but even alpha version of 2.0 all I can say is wow!

[Tupster]

Nah what made 1.0 stand out were the server crashes... you can have those tho i'll be happy in 2.0 !!!

I don't think you are implying that shaders have anything to do with server crashes, but I was just thinking I wouldn't want to lose the look of the equipment and other good things about version 1.0 in the transition to 2.0 unless there is a really good reason (like the high dollar cost of having artists create two versions of each shader because the PC shader was too advanced and instead unifying them to something the PS3 can handle).

Edit: Looking at the limit break trailer again, which has more examples of different gear, it looks the same. There is a "plainness", for lack of a better word, that comes from something that is missing that I can't quite put my finger on.

ARR definitely has better art direction, and I think that is what most people are noticing when they say they like the new look, but if I had to guess right now I'd say that the graphics engine is actually simpler and that isn't surprising really.

That said, it still looks good. It is just different.

Edit 2: Maybe this engine just has better ambient occlusion? I'm gonna stop speculating now since it might just be their video capture equipment or something...

[Karbine]

Whatever amount you are paying to Soken.

Double it.

Immediately.

The zone looks great as well I think SE will be able to release this with confidence if they can nail down those character animations and give us good combat and content rich gameplay.

[Junpei]

Those map coordinates displayed under the minimap .... DELICIOUS

[Diyne]

I like how you can go down to the waterside in that area right outside of town.

To address a few things I've noticed in the thread: for the jumping, I believe the Gamescon video had the character as a dragoon, and they did show them jumping with their weapon out while fighting some stuff.

Someone said in 1.0 you could 'walk through fences'. This is only able to be done in the Limsa Lominsa area, to my knowledge. (I know I've gotten stuck on the fences in Coerthas many times while one handed riding while eating.)

I like the music transitions. I'm kind of looking forward to hearing the combat music, as well as the transitions between normal background music to combat and then back out again. I'm curious if that's the final music choice for the area or not. Since it's a forest, the tranquility makes sense I suppose, but I'm curious if some other areas will have more pep to them.

Definitely see some animation details that could be cleaned up and made to look a little nicer, but I was under the impression that the animations are still a WIP.

[brittany]

oooh..... /suprised
This looks so great... ^^
even with jumping and all...

I can't wait to live here.... =^,^=

This just feels like home to me .. I want to sit by the waterfall with others, and talk about the days events..
I want to /wave to visitors and help them find thier way..
I want to raise my own chocobo's with tender care and <3..
oooooh.. how I wish I where there now...
/cry .. missing u all
hope to see u all soon =^,^=

well as long as it doesn't take me more than 4 hours to do my makeup/look..
I really hope I look pretty close to the same in 2.0 as I did before.
Anyways >> I think it looks beautiful...

[Kaizuko_Hakupac]

i really liked it !!

the animations could use a little tweak but overall it looks WAY better then the old map,

the last place the char went to, looks a bit BCNMish , but yes! great video

i want to see the Limsa Lominsa Areas now =P

[Eruantien]

In these videos can we stop with the jumping every 3 seconds when it serves no purpose, it's making me motion sick