Updating the graphics of WoW
by Amanda Rivera 
Nov 9th 2007 at 2:01PM
The times they are a changin'. If you've ogled the latest WotLK screenshots as much as I have, then you'll notice that the art department at Blizzard has been pushing the envelope style-wise of late. It seems that since TBC the graphics in WoW have gotten not just better, but measurably more detailed and stylistic. Each new instance, area, race -- heck, even the new weapons added to the game -- they all just get more interesting and creative as time goes on. I am continually amazed at what these artists do with 1000 polygons. Some players are asking about updating the older models in the game to reflect the updated style evidenced in the newer content. Anyone who's run Old Hillsbrad can see exactly how far we've come from the WoW original models, and some would like to be able to have new choices as we progress into WotLK. Drysc reminds us, though, that some people are very attached to their character's physical appearance. Some players have been with those characters since 2004. To change their faces would be like giving a friend plastic surgery. Or what about body types? Would you feel that you were playing the same character if there was suddenly a major change to their physique?
Personally, I am eager for the hairstyle changes coming in the expansion. I don't feel like my character needs a new face perse, but the difference between a Blood Elf or Draenei hairstyle and a human one is pretty drastic. I actually considered rerolling my main character because the new races just look a whole lot cooler than she does. Faces though, I'm not sure. How would you react if Blizz changed the models, or gave you more choices?
Filed under: Blizzard, Wrath of the Lich King, Forums
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
cchhiipp Nov 9th 2007 2:14PM
Why not create new, updated models and give players the CHOICE to use them or keep the old ones. Everybody happy.
Aidan Nov 9th 2007 2:16PM
I remember when Luclin came out for EQ. They had gone through and updated all the player models and looked pretty slick. The problem though, was they lagged everybody's computer performance horribly.
Everybody ended up reverting back to the old models in order to make the game playable again.
Ah....the bad old days of EQ downtime. I mean patches...
Bentas Nov 9th 2007 2:16PM
I'll tell you what. More than changing my physical appearance I'd love to be able to set my outer look. I like what EQ2 is doing with having a second set of item slots which allow you set your appearance. Make it a whole additional level of item. I don't care.
I just hate the mix and match look and having to choose function over having purple pants.
Haircuts. Fine. Go for it. I just want to stop looking like I got dressed by a blind drunk monkey.
Todd Nov 9th 2007 2:18PM
I wouldn't mind the option to redesign my character's face or skin color. I hope the option to recolor hair is available, with the option to change hair style.
Coherent Nov 9th 2007 2:18PM
#1 basically said exactly what I was going to say:
Why not create new, updated models and give players the CHOICE to use them or keep the old ones. Everybody happy.
rich Nov 9th 2007 2:31PM
Sounds like the start of a new paid character change.
It could even scale.
$5 to change your skin, hair, and face,
+$5 to change your sex
+$5 to change your race.
Restrictions: must chose a race of your faction and with your class type (sorry druids and shaman) will have no effect on racial mount selection, current reputation status, or racial abilities.
So for $15 you can have a gnome warior with a tiger mount and all the racials of a night elf.
Where do I sign up ;)
Solnova Nov 9th 2007 2:30PM
I don't think anyone can be opposed to new choices. I'd like to see a roll-out of a bunch of new hairstyles, faces, whatever, and offer a free "look respec" with WLK...when you log in, it offers you the chance to change your look once for free. everything after that is pay (in-game, none of this out of game $10 bull.)
Slayblaze Nov 9th 2007 2:41PM
The 3d models themselves are fine, it's the textures that need to be updated just for a start. And not just for character graphics but even moreso for the textures that make up the world itself. Particularly painful are the textures on every tree in the game. They are like 1998-level low rez and I'm noticing more and more that everything is looking worse in comparison to other current PC games out there.
The art "style" itself is perfect - no changes needed really. But an engine update is sorely needed. I'm not expecting DX10 level effects as that would be an unrealistic expectation right now probably. But at least getting some DX9 effects shoehorned in would go a long way towards prolonging the life of the game graphically.
Ozmo Nov 9th 2007 2:48PM
What they need to do is alowe us to up load a picture of our faces and have the Blizzard wrap that on our characters heads. LOL
Fearless Nov 9th 2007 2:56PM
Let's be realistic. Blizzard can - and should - upgrade models at some juncture, but to change one's race? Skin color? Gender? Come on. Better models for avatars? Yes. Changing avatars completely? Not a chance.
Michel Nov 9th 2007 3:01PM
just more choices would be great
no changes to existing.
to improve textures ? yes.
-
I would like more body shape.
the characters are great but I would like choice. bigger, fatter, slimer, taller, sexier, less sexy, and so on.
Tech Nov 9th 2007 3:08PM
More choices is always a good thing!
I agree with the poster that said we should get one free change per character with purchase of WLK and then make it a payed service so people don't go crazy with it.
Baluki Nov 9th 2007 3:13PM
I wonder if Blizz already has some higher-resolution textures for all the items in the game. Theoretically, whoever drew/created the textures probably made them large, then scaled them down.
I'd be happy just seeing better textures. Polygon count isn't nearly as important as texture resolution.
However they do it, there will always be people saying "I liked it better before", and these people should be ignored.
Steve_S Nov 9th 2007 3:16PM
The quality of the models and the polygon count needs to be an option of the video settings.
While the gameplay in WoW is great the visuals don't even come close to competing with games like Lineage 2 that were released prior to WoW.
If I have a PC that can handle the load why not see nicer models and more polygons/better textures.
Thunderhide Nov 9th 2007 3:17PM
I would welcome a model change/update. If I logged in and my character looked slightly different but was updated I wouldn't mind so much, especially if they gave us a free "look respec" where we could choose what we wanted out of the new textures and models.
Amanda Nov 9th 2007 3:22PM
@#1
I totally agree. I would love to have the options to change some of my characters' erm, characteristics. I love having a female troll mage, but hate the fact that almost all female trolls have the same face (You know, the only female troll face that isn't fugly).
elenion Nov 9th 2007 3:29PM
When it comes to hairstyle, I'm perfectly happy with it. What I don't like is the fact that my hair bursts through certain helm graphics, and that looks really lame, so I end up turning the helm graphics off most of the time. I'd be happy if they would just fix that.
Doffencrag Nov 9th 2007 3:34PM
I'm fine with the way the models currently are, although as #8 said, updating or adding new textures would be nice.
The comparatively rough 3d models are a hallmark of Blizzard. Even during the time of W3:RoC and W3:TFT, the graphics were not as good as the other strategy games out at the time, but the way they did it (with rougher 3d models, but with complex-looking textures) made it more accessible to more systems.
It isn't as though Blizzard can't come up with more sophisticated graphics (just viewing the cut scenes of W3 and the intro videos of WoW are evidence of that), it's just that their current way of doing the graphics makes them more accessible and causes less problems.
That said, a few small steps toward more complex graphics would be nice. No big overhauls or whatnot.
Gazmik Fizzwidget Nov 9th 2007 3:45PM
"Anyone who's run Old Hillsbrad can see exactly how far we've come from the WoW original models..."
Um, no. I presume you're referring to the variety of human models that populate old Southshore? Those models were in the early betas/alphas of (vanilla) WoW, and were been sitting around unused in the game files for 2-3 years before getting dug up for use in BC. If you look closely, you'll notice their polygon count is quite a bit lower than that of the player models.
Nice points, wrong example. :)
Arturis Nov 9th 2007 3:54PM
@Gazmik Fizzwidget
That is *exactly* her point. She isn't claiming that the models in Old Hillsbrad are new, she is pointing to them as an easy way to contrast between the new (your player) models and the original (Old Hillsbrad) models.