What's with Blizzard's "outlining" obsession?

[Austilias]

After 11 years, they're finally caving in and allowing us to hide shoulder armour.

Give it another 11 and we might get the option to hide these outlines too.

[Ornerybear]

it's an art style decision. I'm pretty sure it is their way of making it look like it's magic, or something...

doesn't bother me.

[Deleted]

doesn't really bother me

[Pony Soldier]

I thinks it looks pretty awesome. They probably think the same so they continue having weapons and other items with the same effect.

[Count Zero]

It's really... immersion breaking in a way

You're right. Completely unrealistic.

*pulls undead dragon mount from backpack and flies off*

[Izalla]

If it at least had a soft edge I wouldn't mind it so much, but the blunt, harsh line irks me. It looks like it is supposed to be a glow, that Blizz didn't even try to make look like a glow.

[s_bushido]

I always thought this stuff looked pretty cool when the model is in motion:

[jackofwind]

I like it and I think it improves upon the already cartoony art style.

[Thundertwig]

I think it looks cool. Ever since I got the Fel Raven I really have nothing against the style. Makes things stand out more and adds more colour.

[Irian]

I thought it was cool when it first appeared around Firelands, it was a nice effect and made certain items look unique.

But yeah, I'm kinda sick of it being on just about everything. The game's starting to look like a neon rave with all the bright glow outlines on every kind of demon and a bunch of weapons as well.

I want them to keep using it, but I think it should be used a bit more sparingly. It makes things look extremely garish and shiny and it feels inappropriate on a lot of the models they've released.

[dixincide]

What is outlining?

Can someone give me an example please?

[rhorle]

See that outlining purple thing? This thing is in almost every new weapon.

No it is not on almost every new weapon in legion. It is on a few to emphasis the "glow" of the weapon/form.

http://www.wowhead.com/news=250059/l...-weapon-models

- - - Updated - - -

What's incredible is that you don't understand that almost every doesn't mean all.

It isn't even close to almost every artifact either.

[Deleted]

He is talking about outlining that is inherent to the model.

For those that were not aware there is an option in game to turn off mouseover outlining, but this is about outlining as an effect on the actual item, like a particle effect, that, AFAIK, can;t be turned off.

It is pretty annoying if you ask me.

Thanks for actually pointing out which outlining was meant!

[Tradu]

Yeah, not a big fan of Blizzard's obsession with outlines either(turned off the WoD ones on clickables/targets etc because it looks hideous). It can be cool in moderation, but they use it a bit too much.

[Sunnydee]

chi-ji on timeless isle was the first time i actually thought about it, yet ive played for years before,
And i couldnt agree less, it's so damn cool!

[Ratyrel]

Ive quite liked it so far.

[Tryuk]

IMO, it looks horrible on standstill models but fine in motion.

[thebelltolleth]

Look at the beak and the feet/claws.

http://media.mmo-champion.com/images...rcaneMount.jpg

See that outlining purple thing? This thing is in almost every new weapon.

In any case, no, no they won't.

That... looks....

like ass.

[Ssateneth]

Doesn't bother me. I don't know what you guys are talking about.

[Kryos]

Doesn't bother me. I don't know what you guys are talking about.

outline bear


outline artifacts


outline bosses


outline questitems


OUTLINE ALL THE THINGS!