Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

[MaverickDFZ]

This is more than likely a question that is asked, even by SE itself, but with new MMOs on the way, the graphics comparisons are becoming much more of an issue.

This would not even necessarily have to be a forced update and the players could choose to update dependant on their hardware or platform.

The only reason i could see not to do this would be if SE are not planning on supporting FFXI much further into the future...

[Shadowneko]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

welcome to the world of MMOs were graphics do not neccessarly make the game. here are some big case and points for you:

1. Ultmia Online- still 2D and only got a minor upgrade to make it look fresh
2. Everquest 1: still does not look that great even after several upgrades. In fact it's still not up to par with what some would consider next gen...

MMO graphics get dated and the PS2 has limits. SE can't drop the PS2 users as abig chunk of their subscribers in Japan still play that version.....I mean it'd be like shooting yourself in the foot to drop it! An upgrade might requre reworking the whole engine which SE has alreday said that they won't do...

[little ninja]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

These graphics are here to stay. Only way to improve them is to drop Ps2 support. an i highly doub S.E is willing to lose that much revenue to make a few xboxers an pc users a little bit happier.

[DakAttack]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

And.

That is all.

[Mog]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

And.

That is all.

And.

d.

d

ZOMG bolded d! Damn, am I bored. Let's do something dak. x.x

[MaverickDFZ]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

erm, optional graphics update, keepin the customer base on PS2 an dated PCs...lol

[Feba]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

welcome to the world of MMOs were graphics do not neccessarly make the game. here are some big case and points for you:

1. Ultmia Online- still 2D and only got a minor upgrade to make it look fresh
2. Everquest 1: still does not look that great even after several upgrades. In fact it's still not up to par with what some would consider next gen...

Consider also EVE-online which is fully upgrading to Vista/DX10, and it's younger than FFXI, and with a much smaller company. They're also talking about a Linux and Mac conversion very soon, and there are rumours that it's not an emulation client but a port to OpenGL

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

erm, optional graphics update, keepin the customer base on PS2 an dated PCs...lol

Why would they do it for only a portion of the userbase? Seems like a huge waste of money and resources.

Consider also EVE-online which is fully upgrading to Vista/DX10, and it's younger than FFXI, and with a much smaller company. They're also talking about a Linux and Mac conversion very soon, and there are rumours that it's not an emulation client but a port to OpenGL

Someone didn't learn from the mistake that was the Ruins of Kunark expansion, then. PC users shouldn't be forced to upgrade to enjoy better graphic on a game they already pay for.

Look at WoW, why do you think its so successful?

Same reason all other Blizzard games are, they don't strictly cater to the high-end PC user. They accomodate a wide range of PCs and settings, SE just caters to different platforms. Either way, its smart business to tap a wide range of users than limit it to the high-end user.

[Macht]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

First I should point out what the OP has ignored. SE stated it once and continue to hold to that statement. They do not want to version the code.

To provide the option for a person to use newer graphics or stay with old is versioning. The only reason the game is on XBox 360, PS2, and PC is because they didn't need to change the code it could easily be recompiled and work on all the platforms. Otherwise it's the exact same code.

They are even proving that they don't want to version by the fact that to window the PC one they are creating a SE sanctioned Windower program instead of going in and making the PC FFXI an actual version that differs from the rest.

EQ can try to upgrade their graphics but it only goes so far. Though also the developers behind EQ are not that great at creating models, the dwarfs still have 1 eye missing a pupil and many of the races still have the broken necks except for the Drakken (Which is a new Race and they stick out as being new by graphic comparison). They can try to upgrade it but it will reach a point were they'd have to do a complete overhaul of the entire game in order to up the graphics, by then cost may not be worth it.

Basically MMO's nice formula is player intrest 40%, new content 40%, improve graphics 20%. It's more cost effective to make a new game then to upgrade old graphics, but to keep an old MMO with a playerbase they got to work on this other then graphics to keep retention.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

In overall scheme of things, graphic engine upgrade itself it's not a big deal. (Although, we really should be talking about graphics engines--I doubt they'd build a monolithic module to handle everything that is graphic.) They can just make a compatible engine capable of newer and better tricks.

However, a graphic engine upgrade by itself won't instantly turn FFXI into a "modern looking" game. To drastically revamp the graphics, the developers still have to program new graphics effects using the revised engine's new capabilities, and maybe even revise the art assets. That, is where things begin to cost a great deal of money and time.

[Akashimo]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

Simple, ask for an offline version to come out with the new engine and more into the game's past! >_>;;; *end half joking*

Like all the previous posts said, highly unlikely. Besides it could change the looks that'll end up eating more CPU and memory thus giving more lag from our end @.@

[Taermus]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

Then you'd have to repaint all those skins... insane.

[Murphie]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

Honestly, I don't think there is anything wrong with the graphics as they are. Maybe enabling PC users to more easily up their graphical settings via the config menu instead of having to edit the registry might help, but even that isn't terribly difficult.

[Clever Ninja]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

Just give PC a respectable landscape draw distance and I'm happy. The one we have now is honestly pathetic, and takes away alot of the beauty of several zones like Meriphtaud Mountains and such :/.

[hongman]

Re: Will the graphics engine ever move with the times?

I must admit I was disappointed with the graphics when I first entered Vana, comparing to screenshots I had seen and also trailers. But it took all of 30 mins (the amount of time I figured out all my controls) before I had completely forgot about it.

The content is enough to keep me playing, at least, for now.