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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 2 of 2)
Karnifex Nov 9th 2007 4:01PM
EQ also gave you the one-time option to change your physical appearance (hair color, eyes, etc)when either SoV or SoL came out (maybe PoP, it's been a long ass time). I don't see it being too difficult for Bliz to pull the same sort of thing off.
Abad Nov 9th 2007 4:12PM
I would like to see new faces and possibly even height differences in races by at least a foot.
Salty Nov 9th 2007 4:23PM
I think Blizzard's conservative approach to 3d graphics is one of those design principles that makes this game as great as it is. The focus is on gameplay and a massively broad install base, which means low system requirements. Look at the principles that go into designing Nintendo games, which are so fun and almost never laggy.
Games that focus on eye-candy generally have nothing more than fresh graphics to offer to the player. I've studied Blizzard's model format in excruciating detail, and it's quite capable of very high-end visuals. In fact, the particle system in WoW is among the most flexible and powerful in the industry, based upon the particle systems in 3D Studio Max. And you may not realize it, but that's probably one of the most subconscious appeals to playing any given class, the exciting splash of color and light that encourages you to unleash your arsenal, rather than sit around and stare at torches and water. Focusing on eye candy is a very shallow and cheap method of making a game seem interesting, but the fact is that once you get over the novelty, you find that those games typically offer nothing new or truly exciting to the player, and should be focusing on playability (high framerates) and replayability (content).
I enjoyed playing the original Quakeworld Team Fortress more than any FPS since the late 90s, complete with mario-style running-in-place animations, stiff blocky modelling and horribly pixelated textures. The snappy physics and fundamentally simple rules were easy to master, and forced you to focus on tactical and strategic methods to win - which is what games should be, rather than tacky art galleries. A grenade went where you threw it, your crosshair was where your bullet went, there was a lack of pointless geometry within which to get stuck and your hand-eye-coordination and speed was more important than your system specs.
Modern "realism" elements offer nothing to gameplay and only frustrate players. Given the choice, who wouldn't immediately uncheck head bobbing, grenade bouncing, randomized projectile landing, stance change delays, ridiculously granular bounding and collision boxes, reloading delays, flashlights and weapon kickback effects for good old fashioned reflexes and speed? Obviously there's a class of player who enjoys horribly simulated realism, and there are about 1000 identical and equally boring games coming out each year that appeal to them. These incremental annoyances are all that these companies can come up with to differentiate themselves from each other.
Julpuck Nov 9th 2007 4:39PM
I think all of the player models look good still, except for the Night Elf male - yuck. :(
Steve_S Nov 9th 2007 4:44PM
To elaborate I think that the level of detail in texture and polygon count should be user selectable so if you have a new system you can have the really sharp models and better textures but if you don’t you won’t take any hit to performance. Still make s the game accessible but also lets those who want more eye candy/immersiveness have it.
mrkleen Nov 9th 2007 5:04PM
Graphics are definetly important, but the balance must be met and WoW does a great job at that. I tried playing the tabula rasa beta for a awhile, but without $120 video card upgrade, you either get lack or text that is frustrating to read, when I came back to WoW it was releiving to have clear text and smooth gameplay at the same time.
The only Racial model I dont like is the male Dranaei, there is something about the torso that looks cheap and rushed.
Felhammer Nov 9th 2007 5:14PM
My Tauren needs steroids!!! I'd like him much bigger.
Jamesisgreat Nov 9th 2007 5:39PM
I'd like to see more realisitic body shapes - why do all the human like races have to be so beautiful? I want my Nelf to be fat, with man titties. I mean, the guy spends most of his time as a 2 ton bear so it's not like he's bothered about his weight!
Nathaniel Nov 9th 2007 7:38PM
I'd love for the expansion to add better graphics to the game. I like the style and everything, don't get me wrong. But playing WoW on an 8800GTS at 16080x1050 makes it look so... bland. It's still a great game, but you'd think that with all the money we're paying them each month, they could drop some of it on developing or upgrading the graphics to keep in sync with the rest of the gaming world.
Sometimes I actually find myself playing TF2 or HL2 instead of WoW just because it looks better. It's a breath of fresh air to play a game that actually challenges my gfx card.
Besides, I really don't think most players would even notice if the character faces were updated. They spend all their time BEHIND them anyway.
Sean Nov 9th 2007 8:41PM
What about adding full shadows?
I don't think you would need to do anything with the models, but have everything cast live shadows - rather than just the round splodge.
Having said that, I really love the lighting/atmospheric effects - especially at sunrise/sunset - so don't change that bit.