Awful flickering lighting in cutscenes

[BetaKeja]

Lately I've noticed many cutscenes where the lighting on characters flickers constantly as they shift around. There will be a large section of clothing that constantly brightens and darkens; this is a constant flickering between them, not a smooth transition. This shadow also cuts off very sharply; one section will be relatively dark and there will be a straight line where it border a much brighter section.

It's worse with bright clothing. E.g. Asahi's collar and Ryne's top. I've also seen it on Hythlodaeus' mask.

Graphics settings is Maximum. 1920x1080 borderless windowed. I've tested with full screen mode and lower resolutions but the problem persists.

OS is Windows 10 Home 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
CPU is 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-11400 @ 2.60GHz
16 GB of RAM
GPU is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660. Drivers are up to date.

[Thukoolo]

Good morning! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

Can you submit a Final Fantasy XIV System Report? Simply go to the 'Config' option on the Final Fantasy XIV launcher and to the right of 'System Information' click on 'Display'. Additionally, when did this issue start to occur?

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

[BetaKeja]

I first noticed it shortly after upgrading my CPU, about a month ago.

-=-=-=-=-=-=- System Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

SYSTEM_OS Windows 10 Home 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
SYSTEM_CPU 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-11400 @ 2.60GHz (12 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
SYSTEM_CORE_NUM SYSTEM_CORE_LOGIC 12 SYSTEM_CORE_PHYSICS 6
SYSTEM_BIOS F6
SYSTEM_LANGUAGE English (Regional Setting: English)
SYSTEM_MEMORY 16251.707MB
SYSTEM_VIRTUAL_MEMORY 134217727.875MB
SYSTEM_PAGE_FILE 18683.707MB
SYSTEM_STORAGE B:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 931.387GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 541.207GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE C:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 930.907GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 740.462GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE E:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 1863.016GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 331.391GB
SYSTEM_DIRECTX_VERSION DirectX 12
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY6
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER NVIDIA
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 5991.000 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8125.854 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Integrated RAMDAC
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 30.00.0014.7212
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 9/12/2021 18:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY7
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER NVIDIA
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 5991.000 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8125.854 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Integrated RAMDAC
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 30.00.0014.7212
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 9/12/2021 18:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY8
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER NVIDIA
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 5991.000 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8125.854 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Integrated RAMDAC
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_19c79fb6254e3b11\nvldumdx.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 30.00.0014.7212
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 9/12/2021 18:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_SOUND BenQ GW2780 (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {09F3E455-8CEA-44E7-842B-9F4FD5A40002}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME nvhda64v.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 1.3.38.60
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 5/2/2021 18:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND BenQ RL2460H (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {D7064F38-A24F-4665-ABF8-A1D9D8A72BF9}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME nvhda64v.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 1.3.38.60
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 5/2/2021 18:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {C0450613-5D0B-4981-8A49-0ACB1DAF3D0A}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME RTKVHD64.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.0.9075.1
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 11/30/2020 18:00:00
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B60-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 8 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B61-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Keyboard
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 128 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {FDE0DDB0-01DF-11EC-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME ITE Device
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
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SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Gaming Mouse G502
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SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Gaming Mouse G502
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SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Gaming Mouse G502
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SYSTEM_INPUT {7D1386D0-08A1-11EA-8002444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Dell USB 7HK Keyboard
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SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Gaming Mouse G502
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SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME ITE Device
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[Darneltia]

Greetings fellow Eorzean!

Have you tried changing the graphics quality settings such as from Maximum to High or changing different features on and off?

Does the issue happen in specific areas or instances?

Did the issue just start occurring? Did something change in the computer's configuration or from a recent update to the game client? Please clarify.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

[BetaKeja]

I have tried changing the graphics settings and the resolution. Max, High or Low I still saw this issue. I've also tried full screen and windowed instead of borderless windowed. I do remember one setting, I think it was Shadow Softening, that did affect this but added even worse glitches.

It's most visible with characters wearing white clothing. E.g. Asahi, Ryne, the PC wearing White Mage gear, etc. It's also most visible in certain cutscenes, but I have seen it outside of cutscenes as well. I first really noticed this in the last cutscene for the quest "Storm on the Horizon" and rewatched the beginning multiple times with various settings to test that out. There's this flickering shadow border on Asahi's collar during that scene. I did record a clip of that but I don't see any way to upload that file to this forum. I also noticed it on my character in the area you are dropped into right before "The Seat of Sacrifice" trial during "Hope's Confluence" it was most noticeable when facing the pillars of light and with the camera zoomed in close, while wearing the WHM lvl 80 artifact gear body piece. You could also see it on his bare chest, but not on darker clothing pieces.

I recently replaced my CPU (plus motherboard and RAM) but am using the same graphics card as before. The graphics card driver has also had updates fairly frequently. I think Windows has forced a couple of updates in that time too.

[Breakbeat]

I did record a clip of that but I don't see any way to upload that file to this forum.

Upload it elsewhere and put a link here. I'd be curious myself to see it.

I'm fairly new to this game, been playing since June. I noticed the flickery shadows myself when I first started playing, did some research, and found that there are many complaints out there about the flickers, and the general consensus is 'that's just the way it is because the engine is fairly old' and then more technical discussion about the way the game renders shadows.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ffxiv+flicker+shadows (Hundreds and hundreds of results from a plethora of different discussion sites about these flickers.)

I don't have any technical issues with my system, and have tried every possible change in graphic settings to reduce or eliminate the flickers. Nothing has any effect, so I, too, went with the 'that's just the way it is in this game,' and have been ignoring it ever since.

If there's some other solution I'd be down to hear it as well. I'd also like to see if we're talking about the same thing. If you could, put the vid on YouTube and then put the link here. Thanks.

Good luck!

[Arrhin]

The shadows aren't great by todays standards. They tend to clip really bad on some gear models. What you describe is pretty normal, and not likely linked to any upgrades you did to the CPU. On a side note I'll assume you reinstalled Windows when you upgraded the motherboard. While it is indeed possible to drop an existing install onto a new board it can and usually does introduce all kinds of stability and performance issues due to all the old drivers and their corresponding registry entries (Windows does a shite job of uninstalling old drivers). I doubt this is your issue even in the event it's an old install. If you are still concerned, consider uninstalling your current display driver using a tool called DDU. It will completely uninstall the display driver and all corresponding registry entries and settings, a complete fresh start. Then install the latest stable version. Like I said earlier however I believe you are seeing normal behaviour, the game and its engine are quite old by todays standards and were coded originally to be run on PS3 level hardware. Yes, it's DX11 now but really it's lipstick on the pig.

[BetaKeja]

Most of the times that it is really unbearable have been in those cutscenes that don't show up in The Unending Journey book; so I can't go back and capture a clip now that I know how to.

I don't know how I didn't notice this problem the first time through. Throughout Stormblood I would have had a completely different setup and lower settings. But I've had this graphics card through Shadowbringers. Actually, I think I did see this on the old CPU too. But as I've made my way through this second playthrough these moments keep popping up more and more often it seems.

In my google searches I could only find mentions of V-sync and anti-aliasing shimmer which are definitely not the problem here.

This is my clip of Asahi's flickering collar. Look to the left of his neck; on his right shoulder and collar. Unfortunately YouTube's compression has softened the colours and edges so it doesn't show how it really is, but you can still see how it flickers a lot.
https://youtu.be/xBhOnpIDgpY

I did not reinstall Windows, but I have updated the graphic's driver since installing the new board.

[Breakbeat]

The flickering I've seen has been much, much worse than that, but I get what you're after.

FWIW many of the discussions I found in my search above were directly about shadows flickering in cutscenes, but as I said, there's no solutions there, only folks coming to the conclusion that we should live with the flickers.

Flip side, though, if someone were to have some easy fix for it, I'd be down to do the fix so the shadows look smoother.

[BetaKeja]

It's not the worst case I've seen but it's the best I know of in a rewatchable cutscene.

Yeah, they just need to be softened some so that they're not so distracting. They flicker so much between dark and light and when it's right on or beside a character's face or over their whole body, you can't focus on anything else.

I'm guessing it's caused by all of the separate light sources in that room. And then somehow the shadows are very sensitive to the slightest movement.