Dawntrail Graphics Update - Eye Strain

[Wind-Krysvein]

Hello. After logging in today, I immediately noticed that the new, sharper graphics cause large amounts of eye strain for me. Talking to other people, it seems I'm at least not the only one with this issue (even if we're obviously a minority). No amount of fiddling with the graphics settings has helped alleviate the problem.

I know it's hopeless to request stuff like this, but please consider allowing players to use the old graphics (or allow us to downgrade the new ones in a way that prevents this eye strain problem) so that we can continue playing FFXIV. Currently, the eye strain caused by the game is really strong, to the point where playing the game for even 15 minutes was enough to force me to stop. FFXIV is really important to me, and I don't want that experience to end because of this.

If you've had similar experiences, please reply below and let the devs know that this is an issue worth addressing. Also, please consider reporting your experiences directly to the Square Enix support center, as well.

[Elodie_Einsbern]

Adding my support

The eye strain was immediate upon login. I turned on Limb Darkening and turned the gamma down a lot, and it helped slightly. But the eye strain is still there, and like you said, no amount of fiddling will get it to go away.

Also I have a dual monitor setup, and can tell there is a huge issue when I look at the FFXIV monitor for awhile, and then look at my other monitor. I've been gaming for almost 29 years, and I have never had a game do this to me before.

[Wind-Krysvein]

Bumping back to page 1 to raise awareness. You are not alone.

[Sairaag]

I wondered why my astigmatism was giving me so much grief today! It's usually fine with glasses, but after a couple of hours in the game, I can't seem to focus the affected eye very well.

[Azureskies01]

pro tip, most of the graphics settings are unchanged when you log in. you actively have to set them to the new higher versions for almost all things to change in any meaningful way.

Placebo is a hell of a thing.

[noumen0nn]

pro tip, most of the graphics settings are unchanged when you log in. you actively have to set them to the new higher versions for almost all things to change in any meaningful way.

Placebo is a hell of a thing.

So, are you planning on going to every feedback thread today and gaslighting everyone about the issues they're experiencing? If you like the changes so much, maybe you should go play the game instead of wasting everyone's time.

[Azureskies01]

So, are you planning on going to every feedback thread today and gaslighting everyone about the issues they're experiencing? If you like the changes so much, maybe you should go play the game instead of wasting everyone's time.

Ohh im playing right now, voice acted cut scenes I'm watching while perusing the forums. Unlike people on here (perhaps including you) I can multitask

Edit: just because someone says something counter to what you believe to be true doesnt mean they are gaslighting you. You could just be.... ya know, wrong

[SongOfTheWind]

I can see my black list is working just fine, only relevant posters visible.

I am also with you, even though I don’t usually consider myself sensitive to this kind of things. One of the worst example is loporrit’s zone on the moon. It’s quite an experience..

[Wind-Krysvein]

Another bump to make sure people see this. There's not that much hope for this issue being addressed, but we need to try.

[TeemoUlnemo]

I have to agree. I came on today and it was causing eye strain right away. DLSS was on by default. I either have to have DLSS on or FSR, no middle ground, i do not want either, so having FSR on with TCSMAA edge smoothing on has made it better to look at, but if you have DLSS on they is noticeable blur. It is not a placebo effect as someone said, as my partner also had the same issue. It is not pleasant.