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[John Kowalski]

I don't see what the problem is. Development is a heavily iterative and its process is frequently not indicative of the final product, and that would more so be the case in games who try very early to impress with graphical strengths that prove inadequate for the later stages of the game. It's unfortunate but that's the nature of the beast.

 

[GnawtyDog]

I don't expect this thread to get as big as Uncharted threads by the start of it (for even trivial things).

 

[JayEH]

 

[Circinus]

Yeah I think there's a pretty clear downgrade there.

It looks like the landscape screenshot from the reveal trailer is CGI though.

 

[Einchy]

for fucks sake, not again

I know, right? Developers need to stop doing this.

 

[mgs2master2]

threads like this.... are fuckin terrible. Lets not reveal our games til day of release guys. that way no one will complain.

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

Funny how CD Projekt RED gets a pass but Ubisoft gets all the flak.

pretty much

 

[2blackcats]

I mean if they had it looking that good in 2013 they should have released the game then....

 

[Dragon1893]

for fucks sake, not again

.

 

[Kriken]

What the hell is atmospheric lighting?

Buzzwords for people who try to imply downgrades

 

[funkystudent]

Totally.

Its a shame CD Project is getting a pass for this bullshit when people pile on Ubisoft and EA for the same stuff.

 

[Skyzard]

Yep, same old bullshit really.

 

[sappyday]

1. Yes, it has.
2. Not everything has, some things have noticably improved, such as clothing textures, facial models, and other such things.
3. Who gives a shit. The game isn't out and you can see what it is now. Buy based on that.

Don't a lot of people care when stuff like this happens? Both Dark Souls 2 and Watch_Dogs was called out heavily for this.

 

[wanderjahr]

I will also say that there is hope that the Enhanced Edition (there is always a Witcher Enhanced Edition that is a free upgrade for PC gamers) might give PC gamers what they expect.

 

[zerokoolpsx]

Its quite noticeable. Still looking forward to it nonetheless.

 

[tuxfool]

I highly recommend downloading this video from Gamersyde. Excellent quality footage uploaded on August 19, 2014. I think this serves as a good comparison, as the game would have been out of the TW2 engine phase (as far as I understand its development; admittedly I have not followed it super closely).

This looks comparable to the way it looks now.

 

[SuperInuit]

It still looks really bloody good, so...

 

[Acerac]

Reminds me of what happened with Dark Souls 2.

Bullshit, but there won't be any real backlash.

 

[komplanen]

By now it should be common knowledge not to believe in "gameplay" footage unless it's close enough to launch and comes from a 3rd party source. Not justifying anything here but people can't seriously allow themselves to be disappointed time and time again so it's easier to adjust your expectation than to expect publishers or developers to get it right. Also makes things harder that it's not always intentional.

 

[Overside]

Well, thats why pc games, should be pc games.

 

[Sal Ami]

It still looks really bloody good, so...

It looks worse than Witcher 2.

 

[sammelito]

Better to downgrade the foliage than to have another GTA V situation...

 

[Lunar15]

Don't a lot of people care when stuff like this happens? Both Dark Souls 2 and Watch_Dogs was called out heavily for this.

A lot of people do and it's not without some merit. But they treat it as if they're being swindled, which they're not. You still have time to make your purchasing decision.

The only thing that miffs me is that, when directly asked, CDPR flat out said that there "was no downgrade" when clearly they had to scale back things in order to hit performance goals. Look, I don't care if this shit doesn't match the original stuff, game development is iterative. But I dunno, at least point out that you've removed lighting filters or something.

 

[SuperInuit]

It looks worse than Witcher 2.

It's much bigger than Witcher 2.

 

[His Majesty]

This looks comparable to the way it looks now.

It does. Most (if not all) of the downgrade talk comes from the trailers, not from the actual gameplay footage.

 

[darthbob]

Who cares. It's about the gameplay

Judging by this thread (and threads from other websites), clearly a lot of people care.

Whether or not they should care is up for debate.

 

[Jigolo]

Don't a lot of people care when stuff like this happens? Both Dark Souls 2 and Watch_Dogs was called out heavily for this.

Maybe it's because people really really love CDPR? I don't know really but there is a huge difference in the first page of this thread and the Watch_Dogs one linked in the OP.

 

[L33T]

 

[family_guy]

Maybe reserved for DX12 update

 

[MikeDown]

Witcher 3 looks better on PS4 then PC Ultra, judging by the latest gameplay trailer at least.

 

[dakun]

what i never get is.. what systems where they running on to show the quality of the 2013-2014 builds??
Considering this games barely runs at 60fps on Ultra with a 970 or 980 on the current "downgraded" built i don't get how even if they wouldn't downgrade anyone would be able to play the game on a current PC that isn't a double or tripple GPU set up.
The difference seems big enough to make the current build look like a "low quality" graphics setting for the 2013-14 build

 

[docbon]

It doesn't look as good as the earlier trailers, but that youtube compression really is scust

 

[ironcreed]

Well, thats why pc games, should be pc games.

I know. How dare us peasants steal your glory.

 

[Valnen]

Who cares. It's about the gameplay

Video games are a visual medium. Visuals matter. Deceptive marketing also matters.

There was a pretty clear and obvious downgrade here and I'm glad it's being pointed out.

 

[indigo-cyclops]

I mean if they had it looking that good in 2013 they should have released the game then....

Uhm, it probably wasn't close to done. These segments were most likely made, and fine-tuned for presentation.

 

[Gotdatmoney]

That first gif is nuts. Any how, I don't really care, game looks dope.

 

[Kriken]

I swear this is Ultra for Witcher 2 vs console version of Witcher 3, there's no way these two are using the same rig/settings

 

[Armadilo]

Have the Devs commented on this ? also why have journalist not asked them about the graphics being not what was shown ?

 

[Sal Ami]

It's much bigger than Witcher 2.

Which is why they had to downgrade so it worked for consoles.

 

[Pop]

It looks worse than Witcher 2.

Do you really believe the shit you say? That is ridiculous

 

[GrantDaNasty]

I find threads like this just a tad hyperbolic at times, but I will agree: If you're going to give Ubisoft/EA/Anyone else shit for this, go ahead and let CDPR have it.

Also, I don't care if the game ends up downscaled to look like a fucking Saturn game, I just hope the game is fun.

 

[The Cowboy]

CDPR insisted there was no downgrade, but the ultra PC footage clearly shows there was, shame really - at least it isn't Aliens CM level of bullshit, but it still sucks they lied about/didn't own up to it.

As others are saying, if its OK to rip on EA/Ubisoft over this, then its fine to rip on CDPR over this, especially when CDPR outright said they hadn't done a visual downgrade.

 

[Kvik]

I have to thank the OP for making this thread. Now all your circlejerking downgrade brethren can all post in this thread without worry or contempt.

You have done us all a favour which we all will remember in the years to come.

Thanks again.

 

[DragonKnight]

I hate gamers.

That makes two of us. There was a thread yesterday of someone complaining about 3ds game case spine art.

 

[Alienous]

 

[Jonneh3003]

I'm calling 911.

 

[TimmiT]

At this point I pretty much expect impressive looking early trailers and gameplay to be indicative of the final game's look. Which isn't necessarily done on purpose, and is often just an effect of AAA game development being hard.

So whatever, the final game still looks good to me. Could possibly look better than that as well if those screenshots aren't of what the game looks like with ultra settings turned on.

 

[rezuth]

I swear this is Ultra for Witcher 2 vs console version of Witcher 3, there's no way these two are using the same rig/settings

Besides the fact the draw distance is horrible in Witcher 2 screen and its not open world.

 

[KorrZ]

for fucks sake, not again

.

I'm really tired of this shit on these forums these days.

Developers please, just don't show your games at all until a month before release anymore. It's the only way you won't get nitpicked into oblivion.

 

[His Majesty]

I swear this is Ultra for Witcher 2 vs console version of Witcher 3, there's no way these two are using the same rig/settings

The basic rule of making a point on the internet is taking the best sample from group A and compare it with the worst sample of group B to proclaim A's superiority.