Patch 3.1 user interface changes roundup
by Mike Schramm 
Apr 14th 2009 at 3:30PM
Lots of the new stuff in today's patch 3.1 update will be in your face -- the class changes won't be missable, and the LFG channel will be full of people trying to head into Ulduar (though who knows how far they'll get). But some of the changes, especially to the user interface, will be a little more hidden -- you'll have to dive into the options to go and find them. Here's a few things we've reported on that you might want to make a note of, if you're interested.- Arenas now have an option to show Enemy Unit Frames. These will only appear in the Arenas, but you can enable them in the Interface options.
- You will now be able to see when the next Wintergrasp battle is from anywhere in the world -- but only by going out to the world map and then zooming back in to the Wintergrasp map.
- Make sure you hit the map button (usually "M") next time you go into an instance. There are maps in there now.
- There are new "advanced features" for quest tracking now -- but you've got to go into the Interface Options to enable them. If you're already using Questhelper or a similar addon, these will be familiar to you.
- The Equipment Manager isn't in the game yet, but the Color Blind mode and new Battleground and LFG options can all be accessed now.
- Finally, there are a number of new video options available in the Video Options panel, including better shadow and texture details, and even a "Video Mode Ultra" setting. Even Blizzard recommends you run things on the highest setting at your own peril -- lower end computers will have major issues trying to run graphics at the highest setting.
Patch 3.1 is live and it takes us into Ulduar, delivers us dual specs, and brings significant changes to all the classes! We've got you covered from top to bottom with our Guide to Patch 3.1 and the official patch notes!Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Add-Ons, Quests, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jeaz Apr 14th 2009 3:35PM
I do wish they'd add Instance maps to all maps, not just the Northrend ones.
BigBiker05 Apr 14th 2009 3:36PM
I've been wondering what exactly qualifies as a low end system now? I built my PC awhile ago and although I run most DX10 games on high graphics WoW has a few chokes for me. I'm hoping the new settings help me narrow down those specific spells that drop my FPS.
Magma Apr 14th 2009 3:38PM
I'm not sure what they mean by low system, but if your computer chokes on WoW at -all-, then your computer is not the highest end. Note I'm not talking about internet lag or stuff of the sort, but if you have a stable connection, you shouldn't even see twitches in Dalaran.
AlexW573 Apr 14th 2009 3:43PM
I have a reasonably high end computer I built, 3GH dual core, NVIDIA 9800gt (1gb vram), and 2gb of ram. I always run WoW at max graphics, and my computer often has hiccups in Dalaran (especially outdoors). Sometimes it's load speeds (my hard drives aren't the fastest ever), but sometimes I think it's just processing power.
I'm interested to see how my computer fares at Ultra.
Manatank Apr 14th 2009 3:46PM
@Magma:
Are you kidding me? I can run the most exacting PC games flawlessly at full graphics settings at 1920x1200 on my PC, but WoW still bogs down at times. It is just a very poorly written graphics engine. I might as well be watching WoW in slow motion when a whole 25-man raid lets loose with AoE.
For instance, when we've been running Naxx25 lately, we pull the entire room before Grand Widow Faerlina and just spam AoE and AoE heals. I'm lucky if I get 2 fps. The same thing happens when we do Gothik by all grouping on the live side, and just AoEing everything down when the gates open.
Dalaran is a joke compared to this sort of thing. WoW also handles this sort of thing very poorly, and better looking games handle it a lot better.
Thander Apr 14th 2009 4:11PM
I agree with Manatank. The game engine is so old now it just doesn't have much optimization. They are supposedly doing a new engine for the graphical overall in the next expansion. Maybe we will have better performance.
Arashikou Apr 14th 2009 4:53PM
Although this is far from the only (or even greatest) reason for WoW chug, one non-obvious thing is that WoW uses significantly more semi-transparent textures than more modern games. Many effects that a game designed only to run on higher-end systems would achieve with a shader, Blizz achieves with semi-transparent textures so that it will run on lower-end systems. However, this means that settings that increase the processing cost of semi-transparent textures (like anti-aliasing the contents of semi-transparent textures) have a disproportionately large effect on WoW performance. It also means that many extremely modern cards get worse perf than you might expect because the cards and their drivers are not being optimized to work with "old techniques" like large numbers of semi-transparent textures. If your drivers support different profiles for different games and you have some kind of semi-transparent texture anti-aliasing turned on, you might see if turning it off just for WoW helps. I find that WoW, on my GeForce GTX 280, takes about 50% more perf hit from going form None to Multisampled to Supersampled semi-transparent textures than more modern games.
On a related note, in WotLK, they improved their depth-sorting algorithm for semi-transparent textures at the detriment of perf. But the plus is no more objects disappearing because you're looking at them through the edge of a blade of grass.
Still, none of this is really at the root of the Dalaran problem. (you notice these more in areas with lots of trees and/or ground clutter) Dalaran - like Shatt before it and Ironforge and Orgrimmar before that - is a place where more players gather at once than anywhere else, and WoW's engine has always had trouble dealing with large numbers of players onscreen at once. I suspect it's either CPU or memory-bound, or possibly even some kind of foolishly synchronous network traffic, but I haven't got an 80 yet, so I can't do a lot of testing on my own.
teknomuffin Apr 14th 2009 5:09PM
Turn off your "Shadow Detail" option... My friend running an 8800 GT Ultra has problems with it on, but when it's off he's maxed out everywhere he roams. And they're just shadows, nothing too spectacular.
Jeaz Apr 14th 2009 3:36PM
Bah, "maps to all instances" was what I meant ofc. You know what I mean. (WTB edit button)
billyvideo Apr 14th 2009 3:38PM
I wish I could run WoW at max settings, but get sever overheating, oh well, kudos to people who can!
D tothe Y Apr 14th 2009 3:39PM
....Nothing makes me more sad.... My damn GF can use the Ultra High setting and i cant.....Who got who playing this game?!?! /facepalm
Slaytanic Apr 14th 2009 3:49PM
Brother, I feel your pain. I really do.
/soothe
Balthezor Apr 14th 2009 3:41PM
Video Mode Ultra is gonna get some good use here. I've been waiting for that since it was announced.
Now only if Blizz would quit smoking cigars and counting all that money and get us some real server techs. Seriously. "Come back in an hour and I'll tell you when we MIGHT come back online." (One hour later...) "Come back in an hour and we'll tell you to fuck off again."
AlexW573 Apr 14th 2009 3:47PM
Actually, things being unpredictable AND Blizzard acknowledging it is a sign of them having real smart people in charge of that, instead of PR people. Bugs with any programs can take a while to flush out from my experience, and that's only on small programs on my computer. I can't imagine what goes into keeping the WoW servers running smoothly, especially on patches.
BillDoor Apr 14th 2009 3:58PM
I'd prefer them to take their time getting the servers back up, rather than have them come up early and crash all night, be missing stuff, etc.
Balthezor Apr 14th 2009 4:02PM
Unpredictable? Isn't that what the PTR is for instead of just pushing content live? What's the use of a PTR if when they go to implement it, it doesn't work? I'm no tech but it seems that if it was working on the PTR and all it should work on the Live Server.
Like I said, I'M NO TECH and this is my thought process. So don't go bashing me saying "Lulz u have no idea what you're talking about!"
(SIDE NOTE: Why doesn't the comments remember me or accept me as "Returning" even though I've set up my own password?)
AlexW573 Apr 14th 2009 4:34PM
In theory, yes. In practice, reality is annoyingly random.
The PTRs are designed to be for testing, and can be down for weeks at a time while they get stuff set up. The majority of the live realms have been running for years, and all almost probably have artifacts, their own little quirks from files forgotten when upgrading, etc.
Kiithid Apr 14th 2009 3:52PM
Apparently they removed the bitmap color options, if it doesn't reappears magically my fps will go down down down.
Looking foward a new lfg.
Phreezer Apr 14th 2009 3:54PM
Finally maps of instances.... and only 5 years in :)
Lord Negatron Apr 14th 2009 4:22PM
Lol right!?
I loved going to a new instance and people are like hurry up we are right here!
Then you look, there are leet pats etc, oh ok i'll be right there!
*stares at confusing mini-map of confusing tubes and player dots...*