Ray-Tracing? Physics? Open Zones?

[PEANUT]

Hi!

I'm suuuper stoaked about the new graphics update finally coming to 7.0(it is LONG overdue) but I'm curious to know if Yoshi has ever stated/mentioned/alluded to making further overall quality improvements/upgrades/overhaules to the game in the future post 7.0? Specifically regarding things like physics(character animations, walking/running animations, tail/ear animations, clothing physics, etc.), more dynamic weather conditions, a 3-d skybox(instead of the 2-d flat pictures stationed in the sky), etc.?

I also wonder if they drop PS4/XOne support come 8.0 would they implement improvements in these things above that also could use some tender love and care? I know with the new physical based rendering system they are switching over to for the graphics update that would allow ray-tracing and I am wondering if they would ever implement that as well? Ray-tracing made a WORLD of difference in fidelity when you look at old games like Minecraft, and in FF14 dungeons the rays bounding around would be ASTOUNDING(let alone global lighting, reflections, etc.) and it could be an optional thing to turn on if you have a PC or console that actually supports it. Did Yoshi ever mention anything like this?

ALSO, if they drop PS4/XOne support come 8.0, I'm thinking of the SSD capabilities in the new consoles and PC's that would make streaming in assets and zones a breeze, and maybe the would open up the zones instead of making them instanced if that could be a possibility as well?

Would reeeeeally really love these quality improvements come next expansion, but I have no idea if Yoshi and the devs would work on this or mentioned it at all? What are your thoughts? Also I would like to state I know with how old the engine was and where it came from and that this IS an MMO and expectations should be kept in check, but I am sure updates not necessarily overhauls could be improved upon and implemented to an extent no?

[Sorimachi87]

Anything to the physics like hair and clothing, i assume needs a rewriting of the games engine which is most likely not going to happen anytime soon. I think Yoshi-P said we arent going to Directx 12 so thats probably not gonna happen either. Then again never say never... right?

[Jeeqbit]

Well firstly they called it the "First Graphical Update" which implies a second is expected.

Secondly, they have mentioned about how, I think it was the bones, were developed with future-proofing in mind so that animations could be improved retroactively in the future.

Thirdly, they have changed running animations before a long time ago in a patch. They gave each job a unique sprint animation which did not used to be a thing, so they could do more things like that someday.

Although I don't know about Ray Tracing, I know that lighting is a massive part of the design process and they put a lot of attention into it because, for example, it had a massive impact on how Amh Araeng appeared (this was one of the examples they showed in a development panel discussing the lighting). They also put a huge amount of work into the sky and the weather. In other words, if they switched to some more automated method, it could affect or ruin the work they put in to making zones look a certain way. That is most likely why they haven't rushed to do it.

Obviously they will be likely to drop PS4 when the amount of people using it is low enough, although I think many FFXIV players would just upgrade anyway if pressured to.

The engine is capable of a lot more as you see in FF16, but they limit it on purpose for various reasons. Some of those reasons might make sense (like the effect on a PS4 player or the effect in a congested area) but other times it is due to infrastructure decisions or a mindset thing.

[PEANUT]

Well firstly they called it the "First Graphical Update" which implies a second is expected.

Secondly, they have mentioned about how, I think it was the bones, were developed with future-proofing in mind so that animations could be improved retroactively in the future.

Thirdly, they have changed running animations before a long time ago in a patch. They gave each job a unique sprint animation which did not used to be a thing, so they could do more things like that someday.

Although I don't know about Ray Tracing, I know that lighting is a massive part of the design process and they put a lot of attention into it because, for example, it had a massive impact on how Amh Araeng appeared (this was one of the examples they showed in a development panel discussing the lighting). They also put a huge amount of work into the sky and the weather. In other words, if they switched to some more automated method, it could affect or ruin the work they put in to making zones look a certain way. That is most likely why they haven't rushed to do it.

Obviously they will be likely to drop PS4 when the amount of people using it is low enough, although I think many FFXIV players would just upgrade anyway if pressured to.

The engine is capable of a lot more as you see in FF16, but they limit it on purpose for various reasons. Some of those reasons might make sense (like the effect on a PS4 player or the effect in a congested area) but other times it is due to infrastructure decisions or a mindset thing.

Ty for the detailed reply! I appreciate it!

I do love the sound of the "1st graphical update", hopefully Yoshi didn't mean just the first round until they hit ARR and older content and actually meant more improvements overall graphically! My hope is that for now we get updated "HD" hair but in the future get a hair overhaul with even more improvements and physics/movement etc. That would be awesome and would enhance the work they are doing now with skin and faces!

I'm glad they can improve on the skeletal meshes in the game as well if they wanted to, improving physics will help bring more immersion and creativity to the characters/races, even to clothing if they can do it helps A LOT to keep the game fresh and future proof so it doesn't feel like pretty looking static hard characters when fighting etc.

I can see if they don't make changes to the skybox or weather, but again I hope they do It could work even further for areas without compromising their artistic vision, look at how improving the fog effects made the new Sharlayan area looked, I can only imagine further improvements to weather can enhance the artistic vision for so many areas!

[CaptainLagbeard]

I think they tried dabbling into some basic clothing physics with the Phoenix Riser suit from last year's Moonfire Faire, as the suit had those bits dangling in the back which unlike other such armors weren't tied to your character's legs movements and could somewhat independently move.

Edit:
We probably won't get physics added onto old outfits, unless they do an updated version of them like they did Virtu gear in PvP when they first brought in CC. But moving onto DT we might see outfits where coats and capes are no longer magically attached to your legs.

[Rekh]

Clothing that reacts to wind and movement would be incredible. At the very least they should untie physics from FPS, anything above 75fps or so freezes the physics engine that we "have" right now. Artificially holding your game back to 60fps is something they should stop doing in this day and age.

[PEANUT]

Clothing that reacts to wind and movement would be incredible. At the very least they should untie physics from FPS, anything above 75fps or so freezes the physics engine that we "have" right now. Artificially holding your game back to 60fps is something they should stop doing in this day and age.

I'm not sure what you mean by this? Can you explain it differently at all?

[PEANUT]

I think they tried dabbling into some basic clothing physics with the Phoenix Riser suit from last year's Moonfire Faire, as the suit had those bits dangling in the back which unlike other such armors weren't tied to your character's legs movements and could somewhat independently move.

Edit:
We probably won't get physics added onto old outfits, unless they do an updated version of them like they did Virtu gear in PvP when they first brought in CC. But moving onto DT we might see outfits where coats and capes are no longer magically attached to your legs.

Thank for the reply, I had to look up the item you were talking about, I see what you mean! Some of the new technologies and techniques they are using to implement the new graphics update was really cool(for example, in order to add more details to the face they did increase the polygon count, but every single face/race has the same amount of polygons using this new technology, it's REALLY cool and it helps performance) and works to help with performance, I would imagine in 2026 when most likely PS4/XOne support is dropped and they can maybe push the hardware limitations a bit more they might have some more newer age solutions to improving these things without it drastically affecting performance in game so we get a better quality improvement, especially since they want to continue to support and create new content for the game 8 years from now, I just wish we had more info if they are planning anything :\

[LianaThorne]

If we are, it won't be until after Dawntrail now. They've already had all the content/changes finalized and it's too late to add anything new. If we were getting a 2nd update in the near future, I feel like we would know by now.

My money is on 8.0 now for any hope of hearing something.

[Araxes]

Well they would have to dump support for the old XBox and PS4 for Raytracing and meaningful physics. I doubt that will happen before the Xpac after Dawntrail.