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[Cave Johnson]

The "work in progress" argument doesn't really fly, IMO. You would not have wanted to see what the game actually looked like in 2013. Low-poly assets, mostly missing textures, zero lighting, 12fps, half-finished or completely missing animations... would the "work in progress" sticker really have settled your nerves over how it was going to look?

True, but if GOW3's reveal taught us anything, is that the refined, improved version of the game eliminates any concerns of the initial reveal. As such, the hype is significantly reflected post-release evaporating the "unoptimized" build arguments in any discussion.

What these companies are doing as of yet is the exact opposite which is why the new build is generating a higher rate of discussion, and not in a positive manner.

 

[Odah]

This thread convinced me to buy The Witcher 3. How long will it be for sale on steam? Because right now I can't buy it.

 

[zufuel]

I can see the differences in some of the screenshots provided. Not denying that. With that said though I think they just shot a little high initially, a mistake that seems to be becoming a little too common.

The game still looks absolutely fantastic in my opinion and I look forward to seeing it and playing it for myself come release.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

this is how the fur coat looked in 2013

Yeah, I was wondering that too. Something is off about that top pic. I remember that fur looking a lot more furry.

this shot in the VGX 2013 trailer is literally the only moment in all the footage they have released where there is fur that looks like this. The poor looking guardsman fur actually comes from a trailer around the same time.

We can't say the game ever had it.

 

[Primethius]

They're both from 1080p youtube videos. The compression levels should be near enough to the same level. It's not going to dramatically change anything about the comparison. I have a high quality gamersyde version of the SoD trailer, but since I don't have such high quality versions available of many of the areas we can sensibly compare it to it wouldn't be fair to use such high quality footage in a comparison. The youtube videos are all as close in quality as I could find at the time. However, even with the high quality SoD footage it merely resolves more detail, it doesn't fundamentally change the graphical makeup or its essential parity with the newer footage.

That doesn't make sense to me. If you're going to compare something like foliage, you can use higher quality captures from the SoD trailer and compare it to either direct feed or other captures.

Not all comparisons need to be in 1:1 scenarios to spot a downgrade. The foliage is the prime example of this. It looks much better in the SoD trailer and the muddied compressed shots you posted hide this fact.

 

[zufuel]

Second one has no sharpening filter, so it wins.

Please look the beast well. Looking hair, skin ... all small details that make it better. It seems more "real" the second. Only is my opinion

 

[AwakenedCloud]

for me, the second is better. Or the hype cloud my vision.

How so? I don't even consider myself a graphics buff, but even at a glance there seems to be a lot more detail in the first image. Geralt's armor, the bricks in the background, the creature's antlers, heck even the creature's tongue had texture on it in the first screen.

 

[icecold1983]

Ok, instead of more unsupported statements from you, please show us examples of this greatly superior tree foliage in the older footage.

The volume based translucency, light shafts and other aspects of the lighting are the same. I'd love to see solid evidence to the contrary.

any of the 2013 media posted in this thread illustrates it.

http://www.gamersyde.com/game_images_2651_en.html

just look at all the images from 2013. you dont see any of the poor and sometimes unlit/unshaded foliage.

 

[solokazama]

Its bugging me how some people cant see they changed palette to more vibrant (2013 was different)

proof from post above - changed palette on 2015 build:
http://img2.meristation.com/files/i...e_the_witcher_3_wild_hunt-22370-2651_0001.jpg

and here u have - "2013 build" again

if u dont like new palette and lighting - just add sweetfx and set to whatever u like

 

[Gaz_RB]

Has anyone in this thread been convinced to change sides from "downgrade" to "no downgrade"?

 

[zufuel]

How so? I don't even consider myself a graphics buff, but even at a glance there seems to be a lot more detail in the first image. Geralt's armor, the bricks in the background, the creature's antlers, heck even the creature's tongue had texture on it in the first screen.

I guess we will never agree, everyone will see what we want to see.

 

[H4r4kiri]

While after reading this interview and this part especially I think we will look at a poor PC optimization.

http://www.gamepressure.com/e.asp?ID=51

Will we get 30fps or 60fps on the recommended requirements for PC?

I think we'll stick with 30fps. Until the very end we intend to work on efficiency – it is crucial, as the machines are quite varied. Our programmers strongly urged us not to resolve to demagoguery, confuse anyone, or bring down the announced requirements to accommodate lower spec. It’s as I’ve said and it can only be better.

They really want to tell me that an i7 paired with a AMD 290 will run the game only at 30 fps on high settings, while the PS4 Version is supposed to run high settings as well ?

If that is true your engine is not good at scaling or the optimization is not there at all.

I am still hyped for the game, but I just can't believe this

 

[McBryBry]

This isn't a matter of opinions.

You're telling me that the game looks better now because they changed the color pallet, even though it's technically less impressive. That's asinine.

You can like the new art style all you want but that doesn't change the fact that it used to look technically better before they downgraded the graphics.

HIS opinion is that it looks fine. You're saying it's asinine that that's how he feels? Maybe it DOESNT look technically better to him before. Let the man have his opinion instead of throwing him down because he doesn't agree with you.

 

[Crossing Eden]

How so? I don't even consider myself a graphics buff, but even at a glance there seems to be a lot more detail in the first image. Geralt's armor, the bricks in the background, the creature's antlers, heck even the creature's tongue had texture on it in the first screen.

Sharpening filter. Literally a perfect example of what this guy was talking about.

After all that time people spent trying to get CDPR to get rid of the terrible sharpening filter and over-done colour grading, it turns out a great deal of GAF loves this stuff and mistakes it for actual tangible technical changes in a game (worse texture resolution, different shading model).

A number of GAffers in this thread misuse the word lighting. People using it on average just mean colour palette... not actual technical details related to lighting and shading.

Apparently these images are cartoony dragon age wasteland:


And these are hyper realistic nextgen:


I am fine with people arguing this topic, but please argue points of actual technical merit and understanding.

any of the 2013 media posted in this thread illustrates it.

http://www.gamersyde.com/game_images_2651_en.html

just look at all the images from 2013. you dont see any of the poor and sometimes unlit/unshaded foliage.

Can people stop using words like "unlit/unshaded." As in, technical terms you don't understand. Thanks.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

How so? I don't even consider myself a graphics buff, but even at a glance there seems to be a lot more detail in the first image. Geralt's armor, the bricks in the background, the creature's antlers, heck even the creature's tongue had texture on it in the first screen.

that's the sharpening filter (and the old grass of course). The new skin shader is what looks like a big improvement however.

 

[WetTreeLeaf]

Has anyone in this thread been convinced to change sides from "downgrade" to "no downgrade"?

More like from "downgrade" to "sidegrade". Still think the LOD got destroyed, but the character models were greatly improved.

 

[Tenebrous]

Has anyone in this thread been convinced to change sides from "downgrade" to "no downgrade"?

No. I can accept a slight change in style (which I don't think suits the game as much as the original footage), and I can accept there has been advancements in some places, but the limited LOD on PC, alongside horrible looking foliage and a few other minor gripes leave me leaning towards the downgrade camp, just because of how important trees, LOD, & foliage are in games like this.

But whatever, I look forward to finally playing it. My hype has died down a lot since last year, but that's nothing to do with the visuals.

 

[misho8723]

How so? I don't even consider myself a graphics buff, but even at a glance there seems to be a lot more detail in the first image. Geralt's armor, the bricks in the background, the creature's antlers, heck even the creature's tongue had texture on it in the first screen.

The first image isn't bad and maybe has better foliage, but everything else looks better in the second image

 

[shinobi602]

This downgrade is nowhere near the same scale as Watch Dogs. That was practically a different game.

The hyperbole in this thread gets crazier with every page lol.

 

[McBryBry]

The hyperbole in this thread gets crazier with every page lol.

Shinobi, if you expected any less, I'm sorry lol.

 

[wachie]

Never really worshipped CDPR in the first place, so I'm devoid of the denial or exaggeration. Still a shitty thing to do.

 

[zufuel]

The hyperbole in this thread gets crazier with every page lol.

the solution is to release it now. And it would end xD

 

[Durante]

Can people stop using words like "unlit/unshaded." As in, technical terms you don't understand. Thanks.

People evidently don't even understand the term "detail". How can you expect them to understand what "lit" or "shaded" means?

 

[icecold1983]

Sharpening filter. Literally a perfect example of what this guy was talking about.





Can people stop using words like "unlit/unshaded." As in, technical terms you don't understand. Thanks.

and what term would you have us use to describe the foliage in this shit obi-wan?

 

[jim2point0]

The first image isn't bad and maybe has better foliage, but everything else looks better in the second image

Everything else that's completely hidden in motion blur, you mean? You can't see shit in that image.

I wish I could get on board with people that think the game somehow looks better now... but I just can't get hyped over the visuals anymore. The game maybe, but not the visuals. Everything looks serviceable at best (except maybe the hairworks).

 

[paragonpro]

Optimization my friends, I don't think it's fair to compare 2 on ultra to 3 either, as 3 is a massive open world while 2 was way more linear with sand box areas.

 

[Hattori]

and what term would you have us use to describe the foliage in this shit obi-wan?

Painterly.

 

[Crossing Eden]

The hyperbole in this thread gets crazier with every page lol.

At this point i'm just waiting for the pc screenshot thread to whip out a large crow dinner, it's literally the exact same situation as Unity, compressed images come out, everyone assumes downgrade, people get served crow when game comes out.

People evidently don't even understand the term "detail". How can you expect them to understand what "lit" or "shaded" means?

Fair point.

and what term would you have us use to describe the foliage in this shit obi-wan?

Not unlit or unshaded as neither of those terms apply. But if you wanna be incredibly transparent about your lack of technical knowledge then please be my guest.

 

[AwakenedCloud]

The first image isn't bad and maybe has better foliage, but everything else looks better in the second image

What aspects are you comparing between the two images that looks better? Aside from the monster's new color pallet, nothing in it impresses me as much as the first image does. Not trying to troll.

 

[tuxfool]

The hyperbole in this thread gets crazier with every page lol.

It does you no good to highlight these kinds of comments. Just nod and move on...

 

[Raven77]

I was going to upgrade my graphics card for this but honestly these "Ultra" shots / video are just not impressive at all. I certainly don't see the point of spending $400 bucks on any of the visuals I'm seeing so far.

 

[Karspankey]

and what term would you have us use to describe the foliage in this shit obi-wan?

Sunlight, my padawan.

 

[zufuel]

if this is not amazing, better we finished. There is a "change", but gentlemen, this is great

 

[icecold1983]

At this point i'm just waiting for the pc screenshot thread to whip out a large crow dinner, it's literally the exact same situation as Unity, compressed images come out, everyone assumes downgrade, people get served crow when game comes out.


Fair point.


Not unlit or unshaded as neither of those terms apply. But if you wanna be incredibly transparent about your lack of technical knowledge then please be my guest.

at least provide an answer to go alongside your holier than thou attitude.

 

[adampa1006]

My question is, how were they even running the game in February 2013? The titan has JUST came out. 4x Titans??? 290x was not out.

 

[jim2point0]

I was going to upgrade my graphics card for this but honestly these "Ultra" shots / video are just not impressive at all. I certainly don't see the point of spending $400 bucks on any of the visuals I'm seeing so far.

Hairworks is the only thing that looks graphically demanding anymore to be honest.

At this point i'm just waiting for the pc screenshot thread to whip out a large crow dinner, it's literally the exact same situation as Unity, compressed images come out, everyone assumes downgrade, people get served crow when game comes out.

I never recall anyone saying Unity was downgraded? Hell, I went over all the bullshots time and time again but couldn't really come up with anyone outside of tessellation (lol) that looked downgraded. I think The Witcher 3 situation is a bit different. I went from being impressed by the visuals to.... not being impressed at all. I'm not trying to attack the game or CDPR. Just speaking from the perspective of someone who's seen every single piece of media released for this game so far (because I've been quite hyped for it) and giving my gut reaction to it.

 

[DNAbro]

if this is not amazing, better we finished. There is a "change", but gentlemen, this is great

jesus that top one looks fantastic

 

[Sn4ke_911]

At this point i'm just waiting for the pc screenshot thread to whip out a large crow dinner, it's literally the exact same situation as Unity, compressed images come out, everyone assumes downgrade, people get served crow when game comes out.

Uhm no, the direct-feed pics from Unity that got leaked were from the console versions and it looked pretty bad, terrible textures and blurry. This had nothing to do with the PC version. No crows have been served.

 

[Tenebrous]

if this is not amazing, better we finished. There is a "change", but gentlemen, this is great

Great is pushing it. I know it's a jpg, but here we go...

The rock/ground texture to the right of the right foot looks atrocious, and the plants next to it look really flat & unsightly. The trees in the distance look plastic, and the LOD is depressingly low.

 

[Lady Siara]

Or the hype cloud my vision.

Motion blur is clouding mine.

 

[SaberEdge]

It wasn't. Maybe he's mistaking the lack of cinematic filters used in the trailers as downgrade. That's not a downgrade.

The lower resolution textures and flat lighting among other things in the Witcher 3 are a legit downgrade though.



This is a different time of day. No downgrade. Go back during the night and it will look exactly like this.

Quit speaking nonsense. The act of stating something doesn't make it true. I could claim the textures and lighting in Bloodborne have been downgraded but unless I can demonstrate why this is true it's nothing more than an empty and worthless assertion.

 

[Crossing Eden]

Uhm no, the direct-feed pics from Unity that got leaked were from the console versions and it looked pretty bad, terrible textures and blurry. This had nothing to do with the PC version. No crows have been served.

Oh Snake, we've been through this before. They were also compressed to hell jpgs of the console version. Which were terrible for actually measuring IQ. We also have console screenshots know, (xb1 version at least), that do a much better job of showing off the actual IQ you get from playing the game.

 

[Primethius]

Motion blur is clouding mine.

It's definitely hiding all the things people are talking about.

 

[Raven77]

Side note - are the tree's in this game made of rubber? This is incredibly distracting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_eRUq1PQPE

Also is it me or did they just go into some universal color settings in the engine and crank up the saturation? I find most of the colors to be way blown out and kind of ugly / unrealistic.

 

[Subaru]

That's what happens when a game is marketed for having amazing graphics.
Even if the result is good, people will be angry because is not as good at was shown before.

 

[Derp]

at least provide an answer to go alongside your holier than thou attitude.

I'd just keep using those words. I'm not a technical dude but those words perfectly summarised how I see the foliage as well. Unlit and unshaded... And flat... And lacking detail... And all the words that everyone seems to not want us to use, but I couldn't give two shits. I'm not going to change my words because someone else isn't satisfied with them.

I'm just using words that I think describe what I'm seeing. The technical overlords will come and tell you that you don't know what you're saying and should chose different words because technically you're wrong (even though they understood what you meant but decide not to tell you the proper word because fuck logic), but as long as us lower class non-technical idiots understand each other and agree then I think it's fine.

 

[zufuel]

It's definitely hiding all the things people are talking about.

 

[Bubba_Sparks]

That's what happens when a game is market for having amazing graphics.
Even if the result is good, people will be angry because is not as good at was shown before.

I think people in this thread are being intentionally dishonest. The comparisons they are posting are not even of the same scene, time of day, etc and they are claiming a massive downgrade. If you really wanted to see what has been changed between the 2013 trailer and the final product you would wait until release and go shot for shot. Most of the posts claiming downgrade are pure garbage, and are people just trolling. Look at the comparison posted a page or two ago showing as best as possible scene for scene comparisons and the game is exactly the same outside of time of day and minor changes.

 

[Crossing Eden]

I think people in this thread are being intentionally dishonest. The comparisons they are posting are not even of the same scene, time of day, etc and they are claiming a massive downgrade. If you really wanted to see what has been changed between the 2013 trailer and the final product you would wait until release and go shot for shot. Most of the posts alleging downgrade are pure garbage, and are people just trolling. Look at the comparison posted a page or two ago showing as best as possible scene for scene comparisons and the game exactly the same outside of time of day and minor changes.

Doesn't help that the actual 1:1 comparisons were ignored.

 

[Easy_D]

if this is not amazing, better we finished. There is a "change", but gentlemen, this is great

Well yeah. At its core it's a game that looks better than Witcher 2 in a huge open world. That's impressive no matter how you look at it