Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Daralii]

Emet's debut cutscene might have one of the best/worst examples of one of the issues with the new eye textures. Varis's sclera looking so grey and wet that they look mottled is just terrible.

[CidHeiral]

Given that this is a feedback thread, for opinions on the character update, and I have posted several times that I love it, I think it is fair to let SE know that anything that jeopardizes what I vastly, vastly prefer to the original, is worth stating. I would be happy if you were happy. I would be livid if in order to make you happy, what was given to me was taken away. SE needs to know that.

Agreed. These posts talking down to people who like the updates, insinuating that they don't really care about their character or they're just too blind and ignorant to see how horrible the update is, are extremely gross. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but nobody's opinion is worth more than anyone else's. It's perfectly reasonable for someone to fight for the changes they like and be concerned about further "improvements" that actually make things worse, like the ridiculous overblown catchlights we got after the first round of feedback.

[Kaziek]

I have another comparison here that I think shows off how something went very wrong with the lighting between the first benchmark and the second.




The models are very similar, but they look drastically different in very similar scenes. It makes some features look very odd like how bulbous the nose looks, the rounded cheeks and oddly highlighted chin. I can definitely see why some people prefer the updated version however because this doesn't apply universally to every face. I think female faces have more of a problem with the new lighting than male characters for instance, most likely because they generally have much softer features and the harsher lighting ends up distorting those more.

[shrtl]

Male Elezen face type 1 has quite a difference in lip shape from the old one.
(I think it's the same for face type 2.)
There are some people who like new one, so please consider adding the old lip shape as another option instead of completely restoring them.

[CecMiller]

We would like to thank everyone for their feedback regarding the graphical update.
The Development team has been carefully reviewing this thread and many others, including bug reports and concerns raised outside of the official forums.

We are currently working on an update based on the feedback provided, as well as preparing to share details about our planned course of action.
As these are undergoing thorough final inspections, we expect to make an announcement in late August.

Thank you all for your patience as we continue fine-tuning the graphical update.

I wait with baited breath if the Au ra feedback is listened to - its the same as the feedback before launch after all : d

If any reminders are needed:

1. The pupils are too big. They were originally small. This changes the way the character looks. Please bring this back or add an option to make the pupils bigger or smaller.

2. The color of the umbral ring is much darker and not easily replaceable. My character is imported directly and the color is much darker. This color can no longer be reproduced due to the lack of colors that represent blue. This blue was important as it represents a color that came up many times with important relevance to the story.

3. The corners of the lips are no longer turned up.This changes the character's expression from slightly happy to androgynous or even expressionless.

4. The whites of the eyes are now very dark. This gives a very gloomy impression and is not even mitigated if you fully blast your characters face with light.

Just to emphasize the difference.

Look at this shit - its so fucking funny xd

Exhibit A: DT



Exhibit B: EW



I look like someone killed my entire family in DT, but I'm managing to hang on : d

[Hatsuoki]

I think some of the reactions here are kind of extreme when it comes to overanalyzing the neutral faces.

Expressions being muted though? 100% the facial expressions are kinda way too mild now—I mean have you seen what some people did with faces?

I'm sorry but I have to disagree that the expressions are too mild now. I think they're they opposite - they're way too exaggerated now.

Since I don't like to post in the feedback thread without contributing, I will add some new comparisons along with my old ones. None of these are neutral faces of course.

Cutscene - mouth curved up too much unnaturally, it's supposed to have the feeling of a "true smile" but it doesn't seem to reach his eyes


Scoff - eyebrows, eyes, mouth all have weird and unnatural curves


Fake smile - corners of mouth curved up too much, also this is with the new "fixed" indoor housing lighting. The color of the eyes comes out really light now even though I've made no changes.


Fake smile + Converse - same, the smile is exaggerated and cartoony


Grin (new) - I'm suffering


Edit: Forgot the most egregious - Ponder. I don't have an old comparison photo but he looks like he's about to pass out. About to be not-pondering tbh.


Lastly, I feel like I haven't given my opinion this entire time because I've only been posting comparisons that are really egregious. I haven't talked about my main because I do like all of the changes she got but I also liked her before the update. I would instantly give up all of those changes to get Hancock and my alt back. Of course I'm only speaking for myself and not everyone has an NPC or other character that they like get butchered but I wanted to put my opinion out there.

[Boblawblah]

Male Elezen face type 1 has quite a difference in lip shape from the old one.
(I think it's the same for face type 2.)
There are some people who like new one, so please consider adding the old lip shape as another option instead of completely restoring them.

I have wonder at why so many lips were changed. Was it to make animations easier and more uniform across the races/faces?

[Astronis]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree that the expressions are too mild now. I think they're they opposite - they're way too exaggerated now.

Since I don't like to post in the feedback thread without contributing, I will add some new comparisons along with my old ones. None of these are neutral faces of course.

It reeeeally brings the Testuya Nomura design out in him, doesn't it?

[Lorika]

It reeeeally brings the Testuya Nomura design out in him, doesn't it?

It's why it need to be fixed.

[1313]

I used to love my face 1 mindlander femme character, but the graphics update made her look like shes 14, and like the face 5 model got more attention and touch ups. Now, face 5 looks more like face 1 used to, but still has to the weird eyes and mouth. Face 1 just looks rough compared to where it should be. I really hope that you guys are able to bring it back in line with what it used to look like instead of a 12 year old girl with a flat looking and unusual shape to their lower lip. and maybe less emphasis on the m shape of upper lips. the mouth options all go from too wide, to too thick, too thin. There's no normal looking middle-ground option available. Why does everything always have to be extra in one direction or another in everything you do? sometimes less is more. keep it simple. keep it normal. just for one thing, please.