Raen Scales in the Graphic Update

[precognitional]

Let me start with I am extremely glad that the devs took the feedback on the limbal rings.

Unfortunately, I set up an account specifically to talk about the raen aura graphic update previews.

Before anyone misconstrues this: I think the texture itself is great! I like that you can see more details, and it is more clear visually. My issue lies with the new color of the raen scales. They have lost a significant amount of color, the males especially have had their scales desaturated by a very visible degree as the hue has also been shifted to a cooler tone. However, on many previews warm tones became cooler tones, I do not know if this is a lighting issue or if this was an intentional change in the palette of the game. I would like to say that the female scales I think are mostly fine, even if I do not like how pale they are now. The only thing I would like to point out is that the white outlines on the scales really hurt the look of the scales and make the texture look sort of scratchy. My main issue (predictably) is for the male raen. Personal opinions aside, as I obviously prefer the original warm-toned color! I am concerned the grey horns will just look muddy in-game. If they were lighter, had more contrast, perhaps I would feel different even if I miss my warm tones.

I really love the yellow/goldish color, and I understand not everyone does but, I chose raen for the gold scales. If I wanted a different look I would have chosen Xaela.
Anyways, I just hope that the devs might reconsider this, or address why the change was made.




Color Comparison for those curious:

[RidUmb]

I think they look better this way. In my opinion, the previous horns look too yellowed.

[Tsiron]

The transition from scales to skin looks a lot worse also, I think

[precognitional]

I think they look better this way. In my opinion, the previous horns look too yellowed.

You are of course allowed your taste and opinion. For me, I am afraid that grey horns will blend in as a neutral, cool tone that will get lost in the game that likes to use a desaturated palette for the most part. Perhaps the new maps will be colorful enough for it to stand out? But regardless, I am not a fan of grey horns. I would also like to say that if the male horns had been color treated the same as the female's were, I would not be making this post haha. I would be okay with lighter, less yellow horns (again I'd miss the original color but I can compromise), and I am sorry for not elaborating on this in more detail.

On this subject, I think it is important to point out that the raen horns are not the only thing that lost color in the previews. Every "after" looked as though it was shifted to cooler hue or was desaturated in some way. You can also see this on the male raen's hair which became more green and grey here. Another example is the female miqo who's skin tone entire shifts to a cooler tone. This is either a choice they are intentionally making or something happened with the lighting haha. I guess we will not know for some time.

[precognitional]

The transition from scales to skin looks a lot worse also, I think

I think you are right! You can especially tell on the fem model which gave up the warm toned contrast for white outlines around the scales.

[Cerbolt]

Male raen scales were already a lot duller and darker compared to female raen scales, this is just disappointing.

[Rikizza]

I always wished the aura had black and white scales, not yellow and blue ew. So i think its great.

[EstelleCere]

I think they probably changed the scales colours to try to match with the colour of the horns, since the horns have gotten a bit lighter in colour as well. They still might end up changing it or tweaking it, and I feel like lighting might have a lot to do with it as well.

[amanobu]

hello, i also just made an account here on the forums to post about this and found this thread! so i want to voice my full agreement that i like the improved textures of the horns and scales but the color shown in the preview image has me worried.

my issue is a bit different from OP, but in my game on PC raen scales usually appear light tan/warm beige and in certain lighting they can even look white-gray/silver which is more to my preference. but in this preview for the graphic update the raen's horns and scales look very DARK brown/really dullish grey? i've never seen them turn that dark of a color in any area that isn't darkly lit indoors/instances or poorly lit nighttime but the image appears to be taken in a well lit area. they look closer to varshahn's scales in color, which are supposed to be unique and greenish because of who he is. if these example images were more obviously taken in a place heavily affected by lighting i'd be less confused, or if part of the update is allowing us to choose the color of our scales using the same colors available for hair/eye color then there's no problem, but i'm not assuming that's possible and it hasn't been discussed at all by the dev team, so i'm really just confused they're apparently updating the scales/horns based on an appearance that does not match my in-game experience right now.

if male raen just have to deal with this dull, dark grey-brown color i'm going to be... really bummed tbh. i would hope that they at least stay the current light tan/beige even if they're not going to be as pearly white like the female raen get, because i don't really see a purpose in raen and xaela BOTH having dark scales?

here's a color comparison of my character, screencaps taken on PC version with no editing/shaders/gpose lighting changes, in eden's verse: refulgence arena and daytime old sharlayan to show that in well-lit settings his scales and horns don't have the dark color used in the demonstration image.

[Alikyros]

I had the same concerns :C the textures themselves are lovely, but the greyed scales would be a letdown. I always loved raen for their cream/gold horns so hope this is a result of lighting.