Dawntrail Graphics Update - Eye Strain

[TransgressorPterodactyl]

Still needs addressing SE

[Shipp]

I recently came back about 3 weeks ago and ended up getting major eyestrain while running around. There was this lattice type effect on the foliage (sorry, don't know how to really describe it) when I was in motion that caused me major issues. I had to crank down the brightness and sharpness on my TV after a few days when it finally caused a migraine. The reduction in sharpness definitely alleviated my problems and haven't had another migraine from the game since, but it is obviously an issue affecting a large number of players and should be addressed.

[TransgressorPterodactyl]

Goin' up .... Again

[Vesplume]

How's it going eye strain thread?

With Fanfest coming up I've been trying to gather player issues and experiences with this offsite in hopes of getting it addressed. I've gathered as many forum threads on it as I can, though if you've got links elsewhere I'd be happy to have those too. I've got a carrd for it over at straintrail.carrd.co if you want to fill it out.

In the meantime, this thread can have another bump.

[MayuAmakura]

Am always up for helping people with these issues. Really hope devs listen but it's very meager so far. They can't even fix basic face updates for Hyur 1 (still has damn bags) less they fix eye strain.

[Shinku_Tachi]

I wish they'd make it a priority to do something about that effin RDM limit break animation.

[KihyiFelhede]

I haven't had major issues up until I started playing through the lvl 90 alliance raids. Both in the cutscenes and the raid itself the lighting is AWFUL and headache inducing when player characters are shown. Character lighting is set to 100 and gamma is set to 0. I've tried to take some screenshots showing the issue. Unfortunately I don't have a comparison from before the update so I can't be sure if it was the cause or not. If anyone else could give some input it would be really appreciated.

Nophica vs WoL in the same cutscene


Omphalos lighting

[TransgressorPterodactyl]

This is too low again

[kulovalkea]

I suffer from a debilitating migraine that's easily set off by high colour contrasts and flashing lights. I have lived with it nearly my whole life, and I like to think I have gotten pretty good at mitigating problems on my end. Prior to Endwalker, the only content in FFXIV that gave me a migraine were the Nier raids. I had no major issues with any MSQ related content.

My problems started at the last trial of Endwalker. The dark arena combined with bright lights and rapid exploding special effects caused an episode that lasted for days, and it was the first time a game had caused such a serious attack. Friends with no photosensitivity issues have told me they don't enjoy the trial either, because even they often get a headache from it. I no longer play trial roulette when I hit level 90 in the fear that I have to do that trial, or alternatively inconvenience people and take a penalty by leaving immediately. This would not be so intimidating if my actions did not force other people to wait for someone else to fill me in. The trial would be doable -- perhaps even fun -- if I could turn off or even lower down the boss effects.

During Endwalker patches I noticed an increase in special effects especially during trials, and I struggled getting through some of them. The last EW Alliance Raid caused another bad episode, and I'm physically unable to play it without pain, so I don't. Dawntrail's first half was tolerable for me but the second half made me quite miserable. I can't play DT Normal or Alliance Raids without pain, and with each new trial I'm faced with the realisation that I may not be able to continue playing this game if this will go on like this. I understand all the special effects and bright colours are fun and exciting for their artistic merits and I agree, they are impressive! But I'm afraid that there are a lot of players who cannot appreciate them due to direct physical pain they cause, and it saddens me because before this the game was perfectly playable for a lot of people like me.

I love playing this game, I love all my WOLs dearly and as a disabled person I'm keenly aware that sometimes some works of fiction simply are not for me and that's alright! But I wish there was an option to lower down these effects, because it would allow many to continue enjoying the story without pain, and it would benefit even non-disabled players who may wish to reduce eye-straining effects. This way the team could continue having fun exploring and playing around with all these new and impressive visual feats while ensuring that those who may struggle still get to continue the story without worry. Considering most of the game's content is still playable even now, I want to believe that there is a way to ensure both players and creators get to have fun with FFXIV without having to make serious compromises in this regard.