Graphics Upgrade

A better population algorithm for the cities would be nice. Everyone walks in an orderly fashion like they're on parade. Especially in St.Martial

I believe we don't have backpacks because the suffer from the don't sit on body bug and do not work correctly with the size sliders.

EVE Online did a big graphics upgrade some time ago. So people with new pc's can use the new graphics, however, people with old pc's can still use the old graphics. They are also still supported, and will be in the future.

This is possible because it's just the graphics. Everything related to the game is exactly the same on both engines (though it's actually the same engine, just one uses dx9, and the other only uses dx8 stuff), the gameplay remains unchanged.

Following this logic, the devs said that they don't need to switch to a new engine. This means that they can give the high end crowd simply more graphics options, but everyone can still play the same game, since the engine stays the same. In essence, imagine that the upgraded graphics are nothing more than a "ultra high" and higher option, rather than a different game.

I really believe that if they do the upgrade, they will do it like EVE did.

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Rather curious about this but how many people would prefer that the dev's forgo an issue for an entire graphics overhaul? or even a new paid expansion?

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To be honest yes. I don't think though that it should be an either or situation. The game urgently needs more content, while I don't expect huge amounts of end game content unless either there is something to do other than re-roll or PvP at fifty that immediatly loses some customers. I can't think of any level based MMO that doesn't give people something to do with their capped characters. Ideally I'd like to see a going rogue feature that includes some form of middle path with associated content, even if they take place in mainly the same maps as they do now, I like to read the story.

As for the graphics TBH I don't think they're that bad, better in many ways than WoWs and that has 12 million plus subscribers, better graphics doesn't make the game though.

So free normal update would include graphics and the paid for expansion would have more content.

And I believe that some form of power customisation is on its way too, especially after the much quoted interview and the fact that CO will have it.

EVE runs using military spec kit, or similar, though =P and its run by accountants and technical genii
/joking around

So, backtracking, CoX is NOT fully Vista compatible? Is that WHY I cant run it on anything other than minumu for more than 45 mins without a crash?

And yes, enviromental stuff would be nice. And id be perfectly happy with an Issue size overhaul. Specially if it made it easier to run. And more stable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

I don't think they should upgrade at the expanse of content - they need to keep the content coming, as not everyone would like to skip an Issue just to get some newer graphics.

Good point. But improvements = win
Sleep = win too...XP

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

Graphical improvements aren't a player luxury, they are a game necessity.

The zones have got to compete graphically with Millennium City and Metropolis in their respective forthcoming MMOs because unfortunately eye-candy does count for a lot and trial players (ignorant of the potential great gameplay) are just going to turn their nose up at the graphics (and game) the moment they notice every fifth or sixth building or skyscraper is pretty much Identical, or the repetition of art resources and maps in-game.

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I don't think they should upgrade at the expanse of content - they need to keep the content coming, as not everyone would like to skip an Issue just to get some newer graphics.

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They can do both. The content team are not the same as the engine team, or the graphics team, or the powers team, or the animation team...

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Pizza compared to Florence

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You surely mean Pisa? Pizza is not a city afaik...

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I don't think they should upgrade at the expanse of content - they need to keep the content coming, as not everyone would like to skip an Issue just to get some newer graphics.

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They can do both. The content team are not the same as the engine team, or the graphics team, or the powers team, or the animation team...

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Not any more anyway >.>

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Graphical improvements aren't a player luxury, they are a game necessity.

The zones have got to compete graphically with Millennium City and Metropolis in their respective forthcoming MMOs because unfortunately eye-candy does count for a lot and trial players (ignorant of the potential great gameplay) are just going to turn their nose up at the graphics (and game) the moment they notice every fifth or sixth building or skyscraper is pretty much Identical, or the repetition of art resources and maps in-game.

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If a game sucks it doesn't matter how good it looks! And if CO and DCO look awesome but play badly on the PC we're likely to see an influx of players looking for something similar but with better game play. CoH game play is already great!

Also comparisons to other MMOs are only helpful when discussing generic common factors, unless said game run the same engine, the fact that EVE has had a graphical update that works in one way doesn't mean that CoH can go down the same route.

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Graphical improvements aren't a player luxury, they are a game necessity.

The zones have got to compete graphically with Millennium City and Metropolis in their respective forthcoming MMOs because unfortunately eye-candy does count for a lot and trial players (ignorant of the potential great gameplay) are just going to turn their nose up at the graphics (and game) the moment they notice every fifth or sixth building or skyscraper is pretty much Identical, or the repetition of art resources and maps in-game.

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Several MMO's already showed, graphics wont make the game if the gameplay is [censored]. Lonely at nr. 1 being AoC, wich was said having the best graphics in a MMO ever seen.

I agree, a sweet overhauling to make the scenery more 'alive' would help, but at the end when the fight starts CoH vs CO vs DCO, gameplay will be key.

Besides, NC got Aion

The city needs a graphical overhaul, in terms of civilian presence, birds, underwater swimming, seamless loading between zones/doorways getting rid of that hellish black/loading screen.

The toons need one too. The newer costume pieces look amazing but they jar with the much older, grainy textures, we deserve a walk animation surely? The animations could use a retcon too.

Adding new gameplay is something the Mission Creator is aiming for I think

I've never understood the need for a walk animation (other than for RP) superheroes aren't known for just wandering round the park it seems more innkeeping to have them rushing about.

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I've never understood the need for a walk animation (other than for RP) superheroes aren't known for just wandering round the park it seems more innkeeping to have them rushing about.

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But in most superhero universes, heroes are not a regular part of the law enforcement community. Most are vigilantes, Batman, Spidey, DD etc... who protect their real identity at the risk of becoming outcasts themselves.

Paragon is different.

Edited to add that I would also like a bit of a graphics tweak but to me it's not essential

"You got to dig it to dig it, you dig?"
Thelonious Monk

Heroes on;y rush around City Hall or expensive labs when the cake hits the fan. Poor cake.

Plus in missions sometimes it might be nice to go slowly instead of rushing forth, especially for trying to sneak a peak around corners without doing the old stop start shuffle.

I reckons we can improve the graphics while leaving the models and most textures untouched. Removing that HORRID distance fog is a start; imagine seeing an entire city zone from the sky. That would want some engine tweaks to support, as it's a biit of a dog.

Next up, lights and shadows. Right now, buildings have pre-made areas of darkness that move with the sun. And... they're a bit [censored]. You can see them through fog, messing up faraway buildings, and completely stuffing Dark Astoria over. You can even see them in tunnels that pass under these shadows, or on walls beneath them. The green line in Steel Canyon, the trees, looky!

In the pre-beta screenies, characters had proper stencil shadows, and indeed the game still has a registry setting for this, albeit an unused one.

They need to go through the engine with prining shears and fix the shadows. I'm sure there's a shadow system out there that can fit the bill. Then they should darken the shadows a bit, and really emphasize them during sunrise and sunset. A bit of contrast tweakery wouldn't go amiss either.

For a quick and dirty example, go to the EU server status page. The lower area should give you a view of the sites background; that is an area of paragon city. Looks rather swish.


Oh and they really should do glowmaps on costumes.


EDIT: Where did Posi say there was an upgrade on the cards?

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If a game sucks it doesn't matter how good it looks! And if CO and DCO look awesome but play badly on the PC we're likely to see an influx of players looking for something similar but with better game play. CoH game play is already great!

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Exactly my point, hence my line about trial players not sticking around long enough to find the gem-like gameplay under the ageing graphics. Unfortunately first graphical impressions do count, I do wish it was less so though, .... and thats coming from someone who only stuck at AoC for 4-6 months despite the great graphics.

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I've never understood the need for a walk animation (other than for RP) superheroes aren't known for just wandering round the park it seems more innkeeping to have them rushing about.

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That is the RP of the RPG part The more 'features' you can build in, the more people you can 'reach'. Whats the use of full dancing animations or sitting on static benches around the power? Same story, a part of the community likes this.

Kinda like dance emote, the emotions, walking ability, 'cute factor' items or any form of 'unneeded' animation. It's all being optional, so you can get your game to a larger group of people.

Why put firewire on a motherboard, since 80% dont use it? So the remaining 20% can also consider buying this board. Same story :P

Why do roughly 25 million people play a 2D MMO? Seriously not for the 'awsome uber 2d graphics'. Or like cabal, scenery is ugly, mobs look rather ugly.. even characters dont look that superb. But the skills, that is what makes people play it

Now if walking served a actual purpose like giving you a stealth bonus i could see the point

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Now if walking served a actual purpose like giving you a stealth bonus i could see the point

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As has been said, the game is FULL of things which serve no purpose other than aesthetics. Perhaps we should remove all of those too? That'll be all emotes, costumes, capes, colours, char names, decorative bases...

People are underestimating a side effect of overhauling the graphics properly - Being able to market the game "as new" again. Old players get a tasty treat, and a proper influx of players, due to the game being "new" again.

If the marketing people play their cards right with a new box release aswell, i think this could easily double the amount of players, especially if they time it right around the CO/DCUO releases.

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Rather curious about this but how many people would prefer that the dev's forgo an issue for an entire graphics overhaul? or even a new paid expansion?

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Lets expand on that:
Would people PAY for an entire graphic overhaul? Say the amount a new game would cost? If the gameplay would not be altered but the graphics got a big boost?

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Rather curious about this but how many people would prefer that the dev's forgo an issue for an entire graphics overhaul? or even a new paid expansion?

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Lets expand on that:
Would people PAY for an entire graphic overhaul? Say the amount a new game would cost? If the gameplay would not be altered but the graphics got a big boost?

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I wouldn't.