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[lazer_bean]

There are a few things that bug me:

About playing in the dark (as seen in the trailers): a lot of people complained about the Souls series being too dark generally. It was also reccurrent feedback from the beta (btw do you remember that, when the beta ended, From said they wouldn't make the area any brighter ?).
So it's a bit hard to understand why people are now complaining about the same game not being dark enough.

Is it because it has consequences on the gameplay (ie the torch) ?
ok but I'm actually glad they got rid of it because I like to walk slowly with my shield raised, thats how I play and have always played the Souls games. I don't want to be forced to change my playstyle.

Also I don't think this mechanic actually worked. For example, if you're an archer, how do you shoot arrows with a bow AND hold a torch at the same time ?
In the videos I saw that the game looked great when walking with a torch but it got very confusing during combat: sometimes it took me a few seconds to find where the main character was because there were shadows moving in all directions around him. Sometimes I just couldnt see a thing because of the lighting/shadows. I would be really pissed off if I died just because I didn't know where my character was among those flickering shadows. It looked great but it also looked really annoying during a fight.


I'm no apologist though, of course the trailers were deceptive and I'd be surprised if From / namco admit it in their statement even though they got caught red handed.

I still haven't bought the game (I only have a ps3 so I'm not waiting for the PC version), in spite of being a massive fan of those games.

 

[Ill Saint]

There's definitely something funny going on with the gamma. With the PS3 RGB set to limited (as it should be for a TV) I can't make the dragon appear. With it set to full range I can't make the dragon disappear. I've got a plasma TV so I'm leaving it set to limited cause the blacks look black. In game, everything works as it should - dark areas are really dark without a torch, and lighting sconces is vey helpful.

It's still my game of the year so far all said - just as good as it's predecessors.

Wow, I just set mine to full-range, and the difference is pretty astounding. I recommend people try it out and see for themselves and adjust in-game. The gamma still seems wonky, though. But the blacks are definitely better and some areas really benefit from the change to full-range.

 

[Sickbean]

Wow, I just set mine to full-range, and the difference is pretty astounding. I recommend people try it out and see for themselves and adjust in-game. The gamma still seems wonky, though. But the blacks are definitely better and some areas really benefit from the change to full-range.

Are you using a TV or monitor? Most TVs don't support full range, and it's not always made clear in the documentation whether or not they do.

 

[Ill Saint]

Are you using a TV or monitor? Most TVs don't support full range, and it's not always made clear in the documentation whether or not they do.

An LCD TV. Not a particularly new or fancy one. But I'm more and more convinced that a big issue with the lighting is the game's gamma. Also the light emanating from the player. If they removed that, and tweaked the gamma, we'd be looking at a game very close to what was shown in the promo material in terms of lighting.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

Part of me wonders if Shaded Ruins/Shaded Woods/Brightstone Cove were really last minute additions to the game or had pitch black lighting changed to full brightness at the very last second. Not only do the repeating textures look amateurish and bad, they cover absurd amounts of geometry - hell, Shaded Ruins basically has one texture on everything. It's really bad. There's no reason for that chapel in the distance to look so terrible in Brightstone or the ground textures in Shaded Woods to be so, uh... yeah.

But then after those areas it's Iron Keep and Drangleic Castle and a bunch of other stuff that, while still not as good as the reveals, at least look like they were made with some degree of love and care and look relatively great. I don't get it. There are a bunch more areas that are Lost Izalith levels of lazy looking.

 

[Piers]

Problem is, there are entire sections of the game plastered with N64/PS1 era textures:


Yeah, shitty pic quality, I know. Anyone could upload Hi-res photos of those same areas and it won't change the fact that they look hideous.

I knew something had to go wrong when they premiered the game at VGAs.
But man, barf.

 

[SpokkX]

THANK YOU. Who cares about a graphical downgrade if the game they shipped doesn't even run well? With all the effects from the earlier builds in place the game would literally be a slideshow.

Pretty much this. Game is unplayable on ps3 imo

 

[legacyzero]

Problem is, there are entire sections of the game plastered with N64/PS1 era textures:


Yeah, shitty pic quality, I know. Anyone could upload Hi-res photos of those same areas and it won't change the fact that they look hideous.

Ok. Usually I would just roll my eyes and call that kind of statement hyperbolic. But DAMN!!
What the hell happened?!

This game.... It looked so beautiful

 

[Haunted]

When they announced that they were leading DS2 development on PC I thought it was mostly lip service.

Maybe it wasn't.

*fingers crossed!*

I think everyone is here is just afraid that the PC version might look similar to the shit on consoles. ;_;

 

[gamerforever]

Looks like the current gen versions will be the ones to get - decided to sell my Black Armour Edition, as I want to complete the first one (currently stuck at Smough and Ornstein) and by the time I am done the better version would have been released (hopefully).

Not happy with this and I am surprised by how the graphics have been downgraded since the original, which wasn't exactly a looker anyway - had bags of atmosphere though!

Little bit unimpressed by this and reckon it may be something to do with the soon to be announced PS4/ Xbox One Versions.

Whatever the case, it is what it is and still seems to be a great game, so just enjoy it!

 

[Authority]

The downgrade is disgraceful and you got to be shitting me for defend it. After all, Namco declined to comment on it and stated that they are waiting for From Software to respond

"One of the first things we immediately tried to improve in terms of Dark Souls 2 was the graphic quality of the game," he said. "One thing we really focused on obviously for Dark Souls and more so in Dark Souls 2 is how much you can get deep into the game emotionally and physically, and one of the things we felt was critical to that was the graphical improvements for more reality, more realistic expressions of everything we want to show in the game."

When contacted earlier today, Namco Bandai told VideoGamer.com that it could not provide comment as it was awaiting a response from From Software.

Direct Source: http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/dark_souls_2/news/did_namco_mislead_fans_with_early_dark_souls_2_footage.html

In short, it means Namco Bandai cannot dismiss the fact that the game has been downgraded without informing consumers.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

I think it's way past time that you can sensibly expect PS360 games to look anything like PC target/demo footage. Is it misleading that devs always show the best version of their game?

 

[lazer_bean]

Looks like the current gen versions will be the ones to get - decided to sell my Black Armour Edition, as I want to complete the first one (currently stuck at Smough and Ornstein) and by the time I am done the better version would have been released (hopefully).

Not happy with this and I am surprised by how the graphics have been downgraded since the original, which wasn't exactly a looker anyway - had bags of atmosphere though!

Little bit unimpressed by this and reckon it may be something to do with the soon to be announced PS4/ Xbox One Versions.

Whatever the case, it is what it is and still seems to be a great game, so just enjoy it!

you're hyping yourself for versions of the game that will probably never see the light of day.
You're implying that DSII looks bad on purpose, that it was made so the game will be bought several times by the same player. Is there any concrete evidence to support this ?

Judging from FROM's history with new gen systems (they wait a few years before releasing their games on new platforms, afaik) it's safer to assume that there won't be PS4/XO than the contrary

 

[soontroll]

I think it's way past time that you can sensibly expect PS360 games to look anything like PC target/demo footage. Is it misleading that devs always show the best version of their game?

Yes, when they claim it is PS3 footage.

 

[eot]

I think it's way past time that you can sensibly expect PS360 games to look anything like PC target/demo footage. Is it misleading that devs always show the best version of their game?

It's misleading if they're not clear about what they're showing.

 

[legacyzero]

you're hyping yourself for versions of the game that will probably never see the light of day.
You're implying that DSII looks bad on purpose, that it was made so the game will be bought several times by the same player. Is there any concrete evidence to support this ?

Judging from FROM's history with new gen systems (they wait a few years before releasing their games on new platforms, afaik) it's safer to assume that there won't be PS4/XO than the contrary

IIRC, From has been quoted saying saying that at least the engine has a next gen focus. Plus, with millions of consoles sold for both sides ( XBO/PS4), thats just extra money to make.

 

[nbthedude]

I think it's way past time that you can sensibly expect PS360 games to look anything like PC target/demo footage. Is it misleading that devs always show the best version of their game?

I agree.

The only possible outcomes of this bitching, I'm afraid, is From fears more backlash and goes back to the Dark Souls 1 philosophy of trying to make all the versions of the games have parity to avoid more backlash. I think that's a very possible scenario given how loud everyone is complaining.

Meanwhile From was very upfront in saying PC was the lead SKU and two weeks ago even Namco-Bandia PR was out there saying "PC Gamers will not be disappointed" and "We are doing PC right this time" when they talked to gaming press.

These old consoles simply can't handle the game with all those effects turned on. If they could, they would be in there. From didn't turn them off to be big meanies.

But now I'm worried the PC version gets a bunch of features cut just to end the complaining. From isn't a huge company with unlimited resources and Dark Souls 2 is very likely their biggest success. I can very easily see the be depressed and intimidated enough at all the backlash to edit down the PC versions features for parity's sake now that this has become a big deal. When the first game came out they actually said they tried to make sure the PC version had parity for the sake of all their fans having the same experience. Then DS 2 comes out and PC version is lead school and it's an avalanche on shit mountain. From their perspective, I'm sure it seems like they can't win.

 

[Nohar]

... I just now realized what the "Where are my dragons?!" .gif was about. *snickers* Good one.

In any case, all we have to do is wait and keep this thread alive. It will be very interesting to see where this is going. Obviously, Namco/FROM will apologize and try to justify these last minute changes, but that won't change the fact that they deceived people on purpose.

I really hope that there will be legal consequences. This kind of stunt is illegal: you do not open pre-orders for a product while advertising it with videos and images which are radically different from the final product. The fact that absolutly no footage of the game showed what the product really looked like prior to its release is even more aggravating, which means that the consumers couldn't reasonably expect such drastic changes, especially since the last images of the game were from 6 weeks before the release and certainly didn't look like what really is in the game. Not to mention that the boxes of the game still use images from January 2014. That is false advertising.

Now, don't get me wrong: I repeat myself, but Dark Souls 2 is probably a good game despite what they did (though those graphical changes does affect the gameplay, namely the importance of torches, something that they said was a very important part of the game, and on top of all of that the game suffers from technical issues and bugs), but this kind of behaviour should not be left unpunished in this industry (or in any industry, for that matter).

 

[Totobeni]

Pretty much this. Game is unplayable on ps3 imo

Which is mean their new engine failed miserably, because part of the reason they changed engine was to get rid of the framerate issues. yet the game got same performance issues as Dark Souls if not worse. in the end they failed to deliver on the game look and the game performance, two major things they were hyping.


also why reviewers didn't complain about the framerate issues(and tearing) that many people are having?

 

[nbthedude]

It's misleading if they're not clear about what they're showing.

If they already said PC was their lead platform upfront from the very start, why is the onus not on the audience to make sure/find out if the version they are showing is the same they are buying.

All the Titanfall Footage has been Xbox One. All the footage in commericals is Xbox One. Everybody knows that's the lead SKU. It' s assumed the 360 version doesn't look quite the same.

 

[legacyzero]

If they already said PC was their lead platform upfront from the very start, why is the onus not on the audience to make sure/find out if the version they are showing is the same they are buying.

All the Titanfall Footage has been Xbox One. All the footage in commericals is Xbox One. Everybody knows that's the lead SKU. It' s assumed the 360 version doesn't look quite the same.

You cannot be serious.:/

 

[Laughing Banana]

It is remarkable how well publishers, developers and console manufacturers have whipped some gamers into line, so much so that they run defense on the indefensible. I just can't even relate to the psychology of this.

I mean, let's just take a minute to awe at just what this statement of your says. It suggests that we all should have just expected that a game which had been advertised a certain way right up until the eve of its launch would be downgraded, and that it's ridiculous to get angry over it. Again, let's pause to highlight the absurdity. You expected gamers to predict that the game would be downgraded, despite all the media suggesting it was an entirely different way, because... why? We all should have expectations for what these systems can produce? On systems where games like Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 exist? Where titles like Alan Wake and Halo 4 are a thing?

Let's even assume for a moment you actually believe this nonsense. You're actually willing to put the onus for this 'problem' on the gamers who are surprised by it, rather than the company who willfully deceived potential customers up until the eve of its release?

I mean, christ, you're so far off point it's like a comic tragedy. Nobody is expecting a 'photo realistic' game, they are expecting what has been advertised for ages now as a product containing these features. What was advertised before was never photorealistic or close. It was a game with an impressive lighting engine, one that apparently was going to tie directly into the gameplay. Now, no matter how they got around it, the point is it's not the same experience. It simply is not. And to try to ask your fellow gamers to put down the pitchforks because we all should have been psychics not only pushes responsibility away from who deserves it, but it's self-defeatist tripe.

I'm a massive Dark Souls fan, but I'm sorry, this shit is unacceptable. I don't care if it may still be a decent product, it doesn't matter. If I am going to buy a product, I expect to be informed as to what it is all about well before its release. I don't expect to be told I am getting a certain type of product only to be completely surprised when it is an entirely different sort of thing. Dark Souls II was one of my most anticipated games of all time, but see I don't play companies or walk any lines. They fucked up, and now they need to make it right. And yes, a press release would be a nice start.

Just checking, will you buy Dark Souls 2 PC when it comes up? I mean, if you--or anyone else in here--are angry about this, that means you are angry about the *principle* behind it, right? The *lies* performed by Namco and FROM. So am I right in thinking that you won't be buying Dark Souls 2 in any way, shape, or form since you are obviously upset about how the producer/creator of the game has done something that you consider a betrayal to your principle as a gamer?

Because it is kind of silly, don't you think, if someday Namco and FROM release Dark Souls 2 PC/next-gen/whatever and it's beautiful and all that and they say "Sorry about the lies before" and you say "Sure, and I'll buy this version no problem!" since you'll be obviously rewarding the company that has betrayed your principle as a gamer--in a way, this can also be seen as a "haha poor you but whatev I get the superior version" to the folks that, as you said, got swindled by them in the first place even though, I assume, you are also angry at their behalf at the beginning.

You fucking retard. This happens on every second page. BETA ON PS3. FALSE ADVERTISING.

Wow now..........................................

 

[kvn]

If they already said PC was their lead platform upfront from the very start, why is the onus not on the audience to make sure/find out if the version they are showing is the same they are buying.

All the Titanfall Footage has been Xbox One. All the footage in commericals is Xbox One. Everybody knows that's the lead SKU. It' s assumed the 360 version doesn't look quite the same.

You fucking retard. This happens on every second page. BETA ON PS3. FALSE ADVERTISING.

 

[Misterinenja]

My take on this is that the engine just doesn't scale back that good. It is designed for PCs and next-gen so these dusty ass consoles just couldn't run it without major features being cut.

I don't think the game looks this bad on purpose. In the end it's a good game regardless and the PC version will most likely deliver on their promises.

 

[nbthedude]

You fucking retard. This happens on every second page. BETA ON PS3. FALSE ADVERTISING.

And that's what the beta looked like at that stage. That clearly was no bait and switch. People played that version. It's clear it was a vertical slice that wasn't withstainible in the final code.

 

[legacyzero]

You fucking retard. This happens on every second page. BETA ON PS3. FALSE ADVERTISING.

Uncalled for.

And that' what the beta looked like at that stage. That clearly was no bait and switch. People played that version. It's clear it was a vertical slice that wasn't withstainible in the final code.

But thanks for calling me a fucking retard.

The problem is, THEY DIDN'T INFORM CONSUMERS. IMO, having a beta build with those features even further sets the expectation to the consumer that the graphics will be mostly representative of the final product. What we got isn't even close.

 

[lazer_bean]

IIRC, From has been quoted saying saying that at least the engine has a next gen focus. Plus, with millions of consoles sold for both sides ( XBO/PS4), thats just extra money to make.

You're right about the engine/next gen focus but I would argue that while there's extra money to make with more consoles, there's also more time/money to invest.
For example, From was inexperienced with pc ports and we saw the results of that when the game was released. Well I didn't first hand because i cant play games on my pc but everyone seems to agree that it was a shitty port. If DS1 is now considered the best version of all it's probably only because Durante fixed it (?)

My point being it would also take time for From to learn and master those new platforms (PS4/XO), especially if they have to release their games on ps360 and pc as well.
If there are n next gen versions of DS2 I wouldn't expect them until a long time anyway;

 

[The Lamp]

It is remarkable how well publishers, developers and console manufacturers have whipped some gamers into line, so much so that they run defense on the indefensible. I just can't even relate to the psychology of this.

I mean, let's just take a minute to awe at just what this statement of your says. It suggests that we all should have just expected that a game which had been advertised a certain way right up until the eve of its launch would be downgraded, and that it's ridiculous to get angry over it. Again, let's pause to highlight the absurdity. You expected gamers to predict that the game would be downgraded, despite all the media suggesting it was an entirely different way, because... why? We all should have expectations for what these systems can produce? On systems where games like Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 exist? Where titles like Alan Wake and Halo 4 are a thing?

Let's even assume for a moment you actually believe this nonsense. You're actually willing to put the onus for this 'problem' on the gamers who are surprised by it, rather than the company who willfully deceived potential customers up until the eve of its release?

I mean, christ, you're so far off point it's like a comic tragedy. Nobody is expecting a 'photo realistic' game, they are expecting what has been advertised for ages now as a product containing these features. What was advertised before was never photorealistic or close. It was a game with an impressive lighting engine, one that apparently was going to tie directly into the gameplay. Now, no matter how they got around it, the point is it's not the same experience. It simply is not. And to try to ask your fellow gamers to put down the pitchforks because we all should have been psychics not only pushes responsibility away from who deserves it, but it's self-defeatist tripe.

I'm a massive Dark Souls fan, but I'm sorry, this shit is unacceptable. I don't care if it may still be a decent product, it doesn't matter. If I am going to buy a product, I expect to be informed as to what it is all about well before its release. I don't expect to be told I am getting a certain type of product only to be completely surprised when it is an entirely different sort of thing. Dark Souls II was one of my most anticipated games of all time, but see I don't play companies or walk any lines. They fucked up, and now they need to make it right. And yes, a press release would be a nice start.

Post of perfection.
CuckFupertino should reconsider his stance.

 

[ZenTzen]

lets see what from is going to say next week, and if the PC version is reveal quality(which i'm not that hopeful it'll be), maybe they'll also announce a current gen version as well

 

[kvn]

And that's what the beta looked like at that stage. That clearly was no bait and switch. People played that version. It's clear it was a vertical slice that wasn't withstainible in the final code.

Yes, of course, I forgot. It was called "vertical slice, please test this, but don't worry about any problems, since the final version won't look anything like this".

 

[nbthedude]

You're right about the engine/next gen focus but I would argue that while there's extra money to make with more consoles, there's also more time/money to invest.
For example, From was inexperienced with pc ports and we saw the results of that when the game was released. Well I didn't first hand because i cant play games on my pc but everyone seems to agree that it was a shitty port. If DS1 is now considered the best version of all it's probably only because Durante fixed it (?)

My point being it would also take time for From to learn and master those new platforms (PS4/XO), especially if they have to release their games on ps360 and pc as well.
If there are n next gen versions of DS2 I wouldn't expect them until a long time anyway;

To be fair to From, the PC version always ran really stable and was fairly efficient. Even a pretty low end PC could run it a framerate better than the consoles. It wasn't glitchy or unstable or terribly inefficient. Even the vanilla release.

What Durante did was unlock the resolution, which was locked at rendering sub 720p like the console versions. And when they were asked, From specifically said they tried to create parity across all versions.

So let's look at a possible scenario now: From now has a second shot. They felt embarassed at how much people praise Durante for "fixing" their game in 5 minutes. So what do they do? They lead on PC. They put a lot of effort into that version and optimize for it and add effects not sustainable on the other versions. And now a shit storm occurs, one much larger than anything that happened with Dark Souls 1 PC.

 

[zkylon]

You fucking retard. This happens on every second page. BETA ON PS3. FALSE ADVERTISING.

nice knowing you dude

 

[nbthedude]

Yes, of course, I forgot. It was called "vertical slice, please test this, but don't worry about any problems, since the final version won't look anything like this".

So you're theory is what? That they put those effects in the beta just to trick thousands of people?

 

[Misterinenja]

I'm sorry that I can't be as passionate as some of you guys about this issue. I don't feel cheated or personally offended about graphics not living up to the hype.

What From Software lacks in technical prowess they make up for it in game design. Sorry if stating this makes me a corporate cocksucker.

So sorry.

 

[johntown]

First of all I love the game! : )

I am a little disappointed that the torch mechanic is essentially useless on PS3. Another thing I noticed in areas it is supposed to be dark I cannot lock onto enemies at normal distance. Almost like I am not supposed to be able to see enemies to lock on. I even have a plasma and used default game settings as directed for brightness. Usually plasmas are really dark but not this time.

I am getting the game on PC too and I think that will look how it is supposed to look.

The PS3 is old and I really don't think it has enough memory for the advanced lighting. I can see mine struggling at times just to maintain the framerate. Nothing really bad but there are times when there seems to be input lag and the game running a little slower. Other times it almost looks like it is running at 60fps.

Anyway, I love the game regardless but once the PC version comes out I doubt I will play the PS3 one anymore.

 

[Exploding8]

Just checking, will you buy Dark Souls 2 PC when it comes up? I mean, if you--or anyone else in here--are angry about this, that means you are angry about the *principle* behind it, right? The *lies* performed by Namco and FROM. So am I right in thinking that you won't be buying Dark Souls 2 in any way, shape, or form since you are obviously upset about how the producer/creator of the game has done something that you consider a betrayal to your principle as a gamer?

Because it is kind of silly, don't you think, if someday Namco and FROM release Dark Souls 2 PC/next-gen/whatever and it's beautiful and all that and they say "Sorry about the lies before" and you say "Sure, and I'll buy this version no problem!" since you'll be obviously rewarding the company that has betrayed your principle as a gamer--in a way, this can also be seen as a "haha poor you but whatev I get the superior version" to the folks that, as you said, got swindled by them in the first place even though, I assume, you are also angry at their behalf at the beginning.



Wow now..........................................

...

Pfft, fuck principle, I just want the game to look god damn beautiful for the PC release!

I only refrain from buying Microsoft systems out of "principle" because I don't want to buy two consoles

 

[kvn]

So you're theory is what? That they put those effects in the beta just to trick thousands of people?

I am not theory and I don't understand the point of your question.

 

[legacyzero]

I'm sorry that I can't be as passionate as some of you guys about this issue. I don't feel cheated or personally offended about graphics not living up to the hype.

What From Software lacks in technical prowess they make up for it in game design. Sorry if stating this makes me a corporate cocksucker.

So sorry.

Gameplay trumps all. It really does. But what I'm mad about is that my expectations were set by constant footage/video's/shots of this game looking not only gorgeous, but atmospheric. That level of lighting and details is not only beautiful, but it further solidifies just how unforgiving the game can be. IT SELLS ME. But when you go from that, to something that can sometimes look like a PS2 game, it can break the immersion. That's just me, though.

 

[Totobeni]

meanwhile...

 

[Laughing Banana]

...

Pfft, fuck principle, I just want the game to look god damn beautiful for the PC release!

I only refrain from buying Microsoft systems out of "principle" because I don't want to buy two consoles

Well, I just think it looks silly if anyone that is fuming in here because of the supposed lies will be getting the game all the same later on even if it's a better, newer version, since you'll be rewarding the game company that supposedly betraying your principle in the first place. Kind of flip-flopping on the issue.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

Problem is, there are entire sections of the game plastered with horrible textures:


Yeah, shitty pic quality, I know. Anyone could upload Hi-res photos of those same areas and it won't change the fact that they look hideous.

WTF

That's new levels of bad. Not a single area of Demon and Dark looks as bad....

 

[Misterinenja]

Gameplay trumps all. It really does. But what I'm mad about is that my expectations were set by constant footage/video's/shots of this game looking not only gorgeous, but atmospheric.

I'm also disappointed.

But some people are really passionate about this. The game is what it is and it's really enjoyable.

 

[nbthedude]

Uncalled for.


The problem is, THEY DIDN'T INFORM CONSUMERS. IMO, having a beta build with those features even further sets the expectation to the consumer that the graphics will be mostly representative of the final product. What we got isn't even close.

Let's take a look at this from a pratical perspective for a minute outside of "principle." Things that seem undisputable:

1) The console versions (or at least the PS3 version) at one point had some of the lightening features in the videos as is demonstrated in the beta.

2) The final version had these features cut and barely runs at a decent frame rate as is.

These two make it pretty clear to me that they simply couldn't manage to keep those features in the final code and keep the framerate decent. Now given this reality, what was From supposed to do? Announce to everyone that the game has changed and now looks far worse? Is that really a realistic thing to expect? Is it realistic to even expect them to keep gamers updated on what features are or are not working in their current builds?

I mean like in all other aspects in life, you have the ability to research the final product before you buy it. And generally we do put that onus on the consumer. Obviously in extreme cases where a product is nothing like what it is advertised fraud comes into play, but that is really really extreme cases. Even something that works half the time and nothing like the informercials fraud isn't a charge that holds up. Ever buy one of those things advertised on TV during an infomercial? If you have, that pretty much makes the point.

So given that game development by it's very nature is obviously messy and feature are always subject to change, and given that advertising in general almost never completely honest about a given products features and it's weaknesses, it is up to the general consumer to inform themselves. Nobody forced anybody to run out and buy Dark Souls 2 day 1. And there were assuredly hundreds of streamers showing off exactly what the game looked like the first day. If you wanted to be a carefully informed consumer about what you were buying, all you had to do was click a few live streams, watch for a few minutes and see if that looks like a game you want to be playing. Pragmatically speaking. you had that option. Pragmatically speaking, I don't see how From has the option of advertising every downgrade or weakness of their product since I know of virtually no company in the history of the world who has done so outside of required government saftey and/or health regulations requiring them to do so.

 

[johntown]

WTF

That's new levels of bad. Not a single area of Demon and Dark looks as bad....

Come on bro. Have you looked at Demon's Souls lately?

Still he is right there are some pretty crappy textures. Most of the textures are muddy and washed out.

 

[EddCoates]

TBH i've been playing for a couple of days now, and it's really not that bad.. at least the parts i've seen look pretty much on par with Dark Souls. It saddens me when I see the awesome lighting by the bonfires though. Sigh. What could have been.

The only problem i've noticed is that some enemies are pretty much blind in the 'dark', even though we can obviously see fine now everything is lit up. You can literally walk right upto them, and they don't even notice you! Thankfully though, this isn't a common occurrence.

 

[Big_Al]

So you're theory is what? That they put those effects in the beta just to trick thousands of people?

The problem here isn't even that things changed, things do during development and that's ok because these things happen. Thing is when you have footage on Jan 31st of this year, around 1 and a half months before, on the official Playstation channel with the actual guys on the video going 'wow that looks amazing' at lighting that isn't even in the final game then yes I do think there's a problem with that.

Personally I genuinely don't think From Software was trying to trick anyone or being malicious in the slightest. They don't have a history for doing this from all the years I've followed them. They probably tried up until very close to release to get the lighting working with the game at an acceptable framerate and couldn't do it, hence cut it out. The last gen machines are just too fucking old and they very likely underestimated what they could do with their new engine. This was also very likely done too close to going gold/launch and the only footage Bandai Namco have been showing off is from before this which From Software had provided them with.

I DO think it deserves an explanation but I also don't think it's an Aliens Colonial Marines situation where they were trying to cover it up. It is unfortunate the way this happened ? Yes it is but that doesn't excuse it either.

 

[nbthedude]

I am not theory and I don't understand the point of your question.

The point is this: lying or deceit behavior requires intention.

 

[Misterinenja]

Those who think this is some sort of conspiracy... What could From possibly gain by doing this?

The engine simply isn't suited for last gen machines.

 

[nbthedude]

The problem here isn't even that things changed, things do during development and that's ok because these things happen. Thing is when you have footage on Jan 31st of this year, around 1 and a half months before, on the official Playstation channel with the actual guys on the video going 'wow that looks amazing' at lighting that isn't even in the final game then yes I do think there's a problem with that.

Personally I genuinely don't think From Software was trying to trick anyone or being malicious in the slightest. They don't have a history for doing this from all the years I've followed them. They probably tried up until very close to release to get the lighting working with the game at an acceptable framerate and couldn't do it, hence cut it out. The last gen machines are just too fucking old and they very likely underestimated what they could do with their new engine. This was also very likely done too close to going gold/launch and the only footage Bandai Namco have been showing off is from before this which From Software had provided them with.

I DO think it deserves an explanation but I also don't think it's an Aliens Colonial Marines situation where they were trying to cover it up.

And that's pretty shitty but it's also The Playstation Channel shilling for Playstation. When a reputable site has developers bring in the game to show some of the questions that are typically asked include:

1) So is this the final version or near final?

2) What platform are we looking at today?

I hear Giant Bomb, for example, do this pretty much every time they have a developer on to show a game. It sucks that Playstation channel didn't do that but of course they didn't because they are paid shills for Playstation. They aren't really a consumer oriented site. They are another marketing arm. One company's marketing intersecting with another company's marketing.

If anything this shows why it is bad to not have gaming journalist and to have big companies be the ones doing fake game journalism. I also wouldn't trust Official Xbox Magazine if they told you Titanfall is the best game of the century and only runs best on Xbox One.

 

[epmode]

Those who think this is some sort of conspiracy... What could From possibly gain by doing this?

By hiding the downgrade until the game was released? Extra sales, obviously.