Support NeoGAF

[DrBretto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRulE7YDAN0

Amazon has some kind of game going on leading up to the release.

No idea what's at the end of the tunnel or anything.

Source

Edit: NM, it has it's own thread.

 

[Gbraga]

Just saw this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02ZRZlec_bQ

Holy shit, equipping magic just to use the air dodge is brilliant! How didn't I think about doing it before? >_<

 

[benzy]

I am not sure i express my question well enough, but to what extend does the game feature global illumination? Is it full on, limited etc ?

It has GI for both indoors and outdoors using a combination of baked and real-time elements.

 

[valkyre]

It has GI for both indoors and outdoors using a combination of baked and real-time elements.

Thanks! That gif is from Duscae? Only asking because if it is, I think with the latest build people have noticed a bit of change in lighting? Just want to know if those effects associated with GI have been removed or that they are still there.

 

[Tyaren]

Thanks! That gif is from Duscae? Only asking because if it is, I think with the latest build people have noticed a bit of change in lighting? Just want to know if those effects associated with GI have been removed or that they are still there.

Yes, it is from Episode Duscae. I don't know why benzy would use that as an example when he very well knows that the lighting doesn't look like that anymore.
The lighting has improved in recent game builds again but I didn't see anything that came close to Duscae's beautiful use of GI.

 

[valkyre]

Yes, it is from Duscae. I don't know why benzy would use that as an example when he very well knows that the lighting doesn't look like that anymore.

Which means...? GI has been toned down or removed completely?

 

[Tyaren]

Which means...? GI has been toned down or removed completely?

It's just toned down one or two notches. It will still be a beautifully lit game.

 

[valkyre]

It's just toned down one or two notches. It will still be a beautifully lit game.

I see, thanks for clarifying this.

I must say that this gif is amazing not only in terms of showing the lighting, but the NPC behavior was quite nice as well. I mean I expected NPCs to just repeat their behavior, but each time a different NPC came by to eat and he was sitting in a different place as well. Really convincing and nice touch!

 

[Nauren]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRulE7YDAN0

Amazon has some kind of game going on leading up to the release.

No idea what's at the end of the tunnel or anything.

Source

Edit: NM, it has it's own thread.

I wonder if you can play along with the http://www.roadtrip.finalfantasyxv.com/ deal without preordering from Amazon.

 

[benzy]

Thanks! That gif is from Duscae? Only asking because if it is, I think with the latest build people have noticed a bit of change in lighting? Just want to know if those effects associated with GI have been removed or that they are still there.

It's from Episode Duscae but the final game uses the same lighting techniques as ED. People talk about changes to the lighting but those are really just artistic changes to the sky lighting in which some people just prefer ED (Duscae skies had a more overly done bloomy look where you couldn't even see the sun disc).

New build on top, ED at the bottom

Also, you can see the same GI transitions in the Twitchcon footage when Noct enters and exits the forest dungeon leading to the Bandersnatch.

It's just toned down one or two notches. It will still be a beautifully lit game.

Breh, it hasn't been toned down at all lol, if anything it looks better than Episode Duscae. I'm willing to bet I can make the same timelapse come release in the diner or gas station and we'll see the same GI bounce from outside lighting.

valkyre, I wouldn't listen to Ty regarding lighting downgrades as he's been on that bandwagon for a while now since he prefers the bloomy post processing ED had.

 

[Tyaren]

It's from Episode Duscae but the final game uses the same lighting techniques as ED. People talk about changes to the lighting but those are really just artistic changes to the sky lighting (Duscae skies had a more overly done bloomy look where you couldn't even see the sun disc).

You still basically keep on denying they had to tone the lighting/GI down... They said so themselves, to improve performance.
Also, when you talk about purely "artistic changes" to the sky why are the interiors affected by that so much too? Weren't we talking about the interior of the Duscaean diner? Look at any of the footage of the recent gameplay vids where they are in diners. In none do you have the realistic look of the Duscaean diner. May it be the natural gloominess when just barely lit by outside light or the full on fluorescent glow of unnatural indoor lighting:

valkyre, I wouldn't listen to benzy, he also didn't admit to a severe lighting downgrade when it was even more apparent in older builds.

 

[Koozek]

L
O
L

Spoiler

stop beefing, let's all love each other

 

[benzy]

You still basically keep on denying they had to tone the lighting/GI down... They said so themselves.
Also, when you talk about purely "artistisc changes" to the sky why are the interiors affected by that so much too? Weren't we talking about the interior of the Duscaean diner? Look at any of the footage of the recent gameplay vids where they are in diners. In none do you have the realstic look of the Duscae diner:

What differences or downgrades are you talking about, other than the vague "this looks more realistic" based on cherry picked screens from a game you have full control over time of day and camera angles..

Final on top,
ED on bottom

valkyre, don't listen to benzy, he also didn't admit to a severe lighting downgrade when it was very apparent in older builds.

Those are material downgrades where it looks like they didn't even have PBR enabled. The lighting itself is fine. Probably just took the shot in Luminous editor without the final material properties.

L
O
L

Spoiler

stop beefing, let's all love each other

Lol. Ty is actually my buddy. I like having these talks with him.

 

[Gbraga]

First time I notice these Lestallum and Cleigne pamphlets

 

[Nauren]

I think its been looking great. Can't wait

 

[royalroyal]

I wonder if you can play along with the http://www.roadtrip.finalfantasyxv.com/ deal without preordering from Amazon.

I received the code as well, but the website isn't working.

 

[Tyaren]

Lol. Ty is actually my buddy. I like having these talks with him.

Aw, that's nice, buddy.

Alright, now I am editing my post to sound much more conciliatory:

It is a fact that they toned the global illumination down...however they are still working on this though and newer builds have seen clear improvements again. Yes, artistic changes happen too and it's difficult, if not impossible, for us outsiders to say if something is an actual downgrade or just an artistic change or both. benzy might like the flatter, less post-processed looking lighting, I however liked the glow of Duscae. Hopefully the final game meets in the middle between these somewhere.
I guess something we all are glad for is the absence of the ugly, dark vignette around the screen. I was actually really worried about that. The vignette was one of the resaons even a bright, sunny day never really felt bright in Episode Duscae.

 

[Magnus]

edit - nm

 

[benzy]

*sigh*
They literally said, and we all know, they had to make sacrifices for a better performance. It is a fact that they toned the global illumination down. They are still working on this though and newer builds have seen clear improvements again. Yes, artistsic lighting changes happen too and it's difficult if not impossible for us outsiders to say if something is an actualy downgrade or just an artistic change. benzy might like the flatter, less post processed looking lighting, I however liked the glow of Duscae. Hopefully the final games meets in the middle somewhere. I guess something we all are glad for is the absence of the ugly dark vignette around the screen. I was actually really worried about that. That vignette was one of the resaons even a bright, sunny day never really felt bright in Duscae.

Since we're talking about lighting I'm assuming you're referring lighting sacrifices, in which case can you point me to where they said they had to make said sacrifices?

The XV GI discussion at Siggraph details what you're seeing in the Duscae gas station timelapse gif, which is the same solution in the final game. The game pre-bakes indirect lighting data to light probes which gets updated and applied in real-time for lighting changes. They researched and tried two fully dynamic GI solutions but that was never in Episode Duscae as they were too expensive for the hardware.

 

[Koozek]

Benzy ain't nobody to fuck with when it comes to tech stuff, though.

 

[Tyaren]

That might be the case. Being an illustrator and concept artist I don't come from the tech side but the artistic one. Though I do believe I have a sharp eye for details and any changes and I do really enjoy looking at and dissecting pretty game visuals, lol.

 

[Gbraga]

That might be the case. Being an illustrator and concept artist I don't come from the tech side but the artistic one. Though I do believe I have a sharp eye for details and any changes and I do really enjoy looking at and dissecting pretty game visuals, lol.

That's really cool. Any place I can go to look at some of your stuff?

 

[DrBretto]

What differences or downgrades are you talking about, other than the vague "this looks more realistic" based on cherry picked screens from a game you have full control over time of day and camera angles..

Final on top,
ED on bottom

Those are material downgrades where it looks like they didn't even have PBR enabled. The lighting itself is fine. Probably just took the shot in Luminous editor without the final material properties.



Lol. Ty is actually my buddy. I like having these talks with him.

I, for one, think both look pretty.

 

[Tyaren]

That's really cool. Any place I can go to look at some of your stuff?

*sending you a message*

 

[Koozek]

New preview video and article (thanks to Mognet's @Storm AGAIN):

Hands-On: Playing Final Fantasy XV reignites hype

"I&#8217;ve been skeptical about this entry in the Final Fantasy franchise. After a decade in development, and a seemingly substantial shift in story, you wouldn&#8217;t be hard-pressed to find a gamer that isn&#8217;t approaching Final Fantasy XV with morbid curiosity. It doesn&#8217;t help the fact that the Episode Duscae and Platinum Demos received a mixed reception, coupled with the recent lackluster showings at game shows.

However, after getting substantial play time this weekend at New York Comic-Con, I can say that a lot of my fears have been quelled, and I&#8217;m becoming more and more hopeful that the game might live up to the expectations set upon it.

This feeling of optimism starts with the gameplay.

What initially felt clunky and haphazard, now feels engaging with a great sense of flow. Tightened control of Noctis and his friends, partnered with an overall simplified system of mechanics allows the gameplay to not get in the way; my major complaint of any Final Fantasy XV demo up until this point. It&#8217;s become more hack and slash, and it&#8217;s the better for it. Not to say that the game doesn&#8217;t require skill. When surrounded by Imperial troops, with a mix of snipers, riflemen, and melee combatants trying to take you down, you do need to be on your toes and quickly switch up your attacks and defensive maneuvers. Gone are the pointless deaths where you swear it&#8217;s the game&#8217;s fault. This time, the onus is on you to keep yourself alive, and if you perish you have no one to blame but yourself. This improvement alone makes the game a substantial improvement from what we&#8217;ve seen before.

[...]"​

 

[DrBretto]

thanks to Mognet's @Storm AGAIN

I know, right? Dude needs to STOP!

Spoiler

Not really. I love it.

 

[Zedark]

New preview video and article (thanks to Mognet's @Storm AGAIN):

Hands-On: Playing Final Fantasy XV reignites hype

"I’ve been skeptical about this entry in the Final Fantasy franchise. After a decade in development, and a seemingly substantial shift in story, you wouldn’t be hard-pressed to find a gamer that isn’t approaching Final Fantasy XV with morbid curiosity. It doesn’t help the fact that the Episode Duscae and Platinum Demos received a mixed reception, coupled with the recent lackluster showings at game shows.

However, after getting substantial play time this weekend at New York Comic-Con, I can say that a lot of my fears have been quelled, and I’m becoming more and more hopeful that the game might live up to the expectations set upon it.

This feeling of optimism starts with the gameplay.

What initially felt clunky and haphazard, now feels engaging with a great sense of flow. Tightened control of Noctis and his friends, partnered with an overall simplified system of mechanics allows the gameplay to not get in the way; my major complaint of any Final Fantasy XV demo up until this point. It’s become more hack and slash, and it’s the better for it. Not to say that the game doesn’t require skill. When surrounded by Imperial troops, with a mix of snipers, riflemen, and melee combatants trying to take you down, you do need to be on your toes and quickly switch up your attacks and defensive maneuvers. Gone are the pointless deaths where you swear it’s the game’s fault. This time, the onus is on you to keep yourself alive, and if you perish you have no one to blame but yourself. This improvement alone makes the game a substantial improvement from what we’ve seen before.

[...]"​

Also of interest I think is that he played an older build than the gold one. He mentions graphical inconsistencies and mouth synchronisation being off, but that is something the Eurogamer video for example didn't have.

My biggest complaint of the game is the fidelity. The world is gigantic, and there is a lot to see, but it's not rendered all too well. Driving along the open highway resulted in a lot of texture pop ins, and too frequently dialogue related in no way to the movements of characters mouths. I was told this was not the final build, and it’s clear that Square Enix required those extra few months of polish. The world is gorgeous, and it’s important that the engine does all it can to get that message across.

 

[Zakalwe]

A creative choice to have technical weakness is hardly an admirable one.

It's a hybrid of turn based and action. So no, it's not a technical weakness but a distinct design choice.

We'll have to wait and see how well it works as the combat opens up later in the game.

 

[Falk]

Quoted post was talking about positional audio though.

Which... is in the game.

 

[wmlk]

Just saw this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02ZRZlec_bQ

Holy shit, equipping magic just to use the air dodge is brilliant! How didn't I think about doing it before? >_<

Ha. I really don't get why people are judging the gameplay for what's available in the first hour of the game...against sabertusks and scorpions.

Yeah, all of this is very rapid. I really hope that there are battles with JUST Noctis.

 

[Akainu]

Just saw this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02ZRZlec_bQ

Holy shit, equipping magic just to use the air dodge is brilliant! How didn't I think about doing it before? >_<

Is that sound for the throwing weapon still used? It's all kinds of horrible.

 

[wmlk]

https://youtu.be/DCBbFwdpC6o?t=9m3s

Positional audio. Listen to Prompto.

I can really feel the immersion now.

 

[enigmatic_alex44]

Not impressed.

I can't help but feel that "openworld" was simply a mistake for this franchise. I really hope the next Final Fantasy goes back to Lost Odyssey style cities/dungeons (so they can be packed with detail, atmosphere and unique geometry), or even better, go back to CG backgrounds like the PS1 Final Fantasies. Imagine how gorgeous each screen would be and how detailed the character models could be with today's tech.

 

[.JayZii]

It has GI for both indoors and outdoors using a combination of baked and real-time elements.

I want that Silent Hill Gladio dlc.

 

[Gbraga]

Ha. I really don't get why people are judging the gameplay for what's available in the first hour of the game...against sabertusks and scorpions.

Yeah, all of this is very rapid. I really hope that there are battles with JUST Noctis.

Many of my battles will be just Noctis, no way in hell I'm wasting my AP on the NPCs. They'll be underpowered as fuck and will most likely die right away against more powerful enemies.

Is that sound for the throwing weapon still used? It's all kinds of horrible.

No idea.

 

[valkyre]

Are there going to be more serious outfits available? Because from what i have seen so far every outfit looks like you are some random casual dude. Looks more like GTA clothing line rather than FF lol.

 

[dragonzdogma]

Quoted post was talking about positional audio though.

Which... is in the game.

Falk, I had a minor complaint about the audio when characters that are far from you (noctis) talked, This happen previous versions we've seen.
The audio was very loud no matter how far your buddies were from your location.
just wondering is this is what you're talking about?

Are there going to be more serious outfits available? Because from what i have seen so far every outfit looks like you are some random casual dude. Looks more like GTA clothing line rather than FF lol.

Yes, I've seen outfits that are way more fantasy like on a trailer that had the braver soundtrack.

 

[Gbraga]

Are there going to be more serious outfits available? Because from what i have seen so far every outfit looks like you are some random casual dude. Looks more like GTA clothing line rather than FF lol.

I hope so, it would be really weird to have an outfit system with even different stats for each one and only have the outfits you start the game with for the entire thing.

 

[Icyflamez96]

https://youtu.be/DCBbFwdpC6o?t=9m3s

Positional audio. Listen to Prompto.

I can really feel the immersion now.

I forget, are you supposed to be able to go on those mountains and stuff? Or are they just for show?

 

[Koozek]

I want that Silent Hill Gladio dlc.

Silent Hill, you said? Here:

 

[PshycoNinja]

I hope so, it would be really weird to have an outfit system with even different stats for each one and only have the outfits you start the game with for the entire thing.

I think you're thinking about LR.

 

[Gbraga]

I think you're thinking about LR.

Pretty sure outfits have stat boosts related to them in this game. I may be wrong, though.

LET THE VOICE OF LOVE TAKE YOU HIGHER

 

[PshycoNinja]

Pretty sure outfits have stat boosts related to them in this game. I may be wrong, though.

LET THE VOICE OF LOVE TAKE YOU HIGHER

I really don't think so...

Which is good. I prefer costumes to be merely cosmetic. I don't want to force myself to have characters wear something I don't want them to wear because they give +1 Strength.

 

[Ray Down]

Silent Hill, you said? Here:

Moogle so cute, sit down with it.

 

[Astral Dog]

Not impressed.

I can't help but feel that "openworld" was simply a mistake for this franchise. I really hope the next Final Fantasy goes back to Lost Odyssey style cities/dungeons (so they can be packed with detail, atmosphere and unique geometry), or even better, go back to CG backgrounds like the PS1 Final Fantasies. Imagine how gorgeous each screen would be and how detailed the character models could be with today's tech.

this is a dangerous opinion, CGI simply would kill this franchise

 

[SoraanTribal]

I really don't think so...

Which is good. I prefer costumes to be merely cosmetic. I don't want to force myself to have characters wear something I don't want them to wear because they give +1 Strength.

I could have sworn I saw Gladio equipping a new outfit gave him more HP or something in one video a while ago. HP or some other stat. I don't think it was a major difference but still...

 

[Ishida]

I really hope the next Final Fantasy goes back to Lost Odyssey style cities/dungeons (so they can be packed with detail, atmosphere and unique geometry), or even better, go back to CG backgrounds like the PS1 Final Fantasies. Imagine how gorgeous each screen would be and how detailed the character models could be with today's tech.

Uughh.. No, thanks.

Especially NOT the bolded.

 

[Gbraga]

I'd be down with both a more linear game and pre-rendered backgrounds, love the ideas.

I just don't have a problem with this game's style, I think it's fine, and they're surprising me with their vision for the open world. But I agree that it shouldn't become the norm for the franchise from now on. Each game should be free to be whatever the director wants.

 

[Crossing Eden]

Not impressed.

I can't help but feel that "openworld" was simply a mistake for this franchise. I really hope the next Final Fantasy goes back to Lost Odyssey style cities/dungeons (so they can be packed with detail, atmosphere and unique geometry), or even better, go back to CG backgrounds like the PS1 Final Fantasies. Imagine how gorgeous each screen would be and how detailed the character models could be with today's tech.

There would literally be no point to this whatsoever and from a developer standpoint it would absolutely hinder the workflow. Seriously when we can make things look similar to this, (I say similar because there's no way VIIRemake is gonna look like that on consoles) in realtime pre-rendered backgrounds seriously have no benefit besides pandering to an EXTREMELY small set of fans who're pining for nostalgia and don't understand rendering.

 

[Tyaren]

The Gamezone gameplay from New York Comic Con is up on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FZZRuucDe0

Lol, I don't know how many times I watched the opening hours already. I already know that region and where what is and who says what in my sleep. Watching any additional video I'm like:
In the other video the car in the background was mint green...
Now Noctis says this...and Prompto answers that. Prompto's voice acting is so good. There's that voice crack. Ugh, and there goes Gladio again... D:
Ah, they forget to get that Item! No one gets that item even though it is visible like from a mile away. It will be the first thing I will get.
Dave's skin really is of a very saturated orange tone... :/ In the other video it didn't just look like that because of the sunset. And during the sandstorm video last week it was of a more yellowish tone.