Why doesn't Blizz improve the visuals of WoW like other devs?

[Wondercrab]

They do consistently update the visuals from expansion to expansion, but WoW is such a huge game that it's impractical to update everything. Certain models, textures, maps etc. are still using their vanilla versions, but the vast majority of the current content looks very modern by comparison.

[Tic Tacs]

They did upgrade graphics of the Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms on release of Cataclysm expansion, and they do raise a plank in terms of graphics every expansion, all major cities look far better now than during Vanilla days. Also, WoW engine is made on Warcraft 3 base so even with major improvements you can't overcome some fundamental limitations of the engine especially with the amount of content they already have.

[Teri]

Hogger/Meatball and gnoll friends desperately need a new model, in followup of the kobolds and troggs being the classic "ugly" ones, which got updated.

[Amnaught]

They have updated. They haven't updated older content though. Textures could be upgraded but currently there is no reason since older content isn't made relevent.

They can't just flip a switch to fix the textures, they'd have to make entirely new textures and paint over the existing terrain. Then you have a fancy floor and crappy objects, so you'll have to go and recreate every tree and shrub like they did in Elwynn.

[Soeroah]

They do. If you put a Vanilla zone and a Legion zone next to each other, you'd easily be able to see the difference. They just don't go back and update old content frequently because it's a lot of resources spent for something a vast minority of people care about.

When they find excuses, they do it (yeti/wolf model updates, etc, Cataclysm revamp). Otherwise, it's not worth it to them updating the world every couple of years.

Added to that is the fact WoW is meant to be available on as wide a range of computers as possible, including ones older than most "hardcore" gamers would own. That's one reason for its success; other MMOs have system requirements that are too high for a lot of player's PCs, but they can play WoW just fine because the base engine hasn't changed too much.

[s_bushido]

The title should read: "Why doesn't Blizz do this thing they've already done?"

[Deleted]

If we look at League of Legends and other such games, over the years there have been massive graphical improvements.

But with WoW it looks fairly similar to when it first was developed. I get that they want to go for a certain artstyle but some of the textures in particular look like a game from the ps2/xbox era.

Shouldn't Blizz give this more attention? It no doubt is a major factor why new players don't bother trying the game out.

The fuck have you been playing the last 10 years? WoW has improved massively. How ignorant can you be to not know? It does NOT look "fairly similar" to when it launched. What a bunch of horseshit.
The engine is the old WC3 engine for fuck sake. There's only so much you can do with it. They'd have to relaunch the game, remake it from the core, and that would take a LOT of work, not to mention how it might come with other problems, like relaunching the worlds most popular MMO.
Have you ever seen how people flip their shit over changes like the ones we had with the updated models? You think Blizz could actually change the entire game engine without being completely shat on over it? Fuck no.

[Lynkeus]

I said this in another thread, when they stop supporting people who play on potatoes they probably could make the game look much better.

Those potato owners' money have same value with you so don't expect that.

And I think this post is utterly useless as probably OP has no info of how WoW was and is now and new to the game coming from games like Black Desert or something with pretty boob physics.

[Firatha]

They can't just flip a switch to fix the textures, they'd have to make entirely new textures and paint over the existing terrain. Then you have a fancy floor and crappy objects, so you'll have to go and recreate every tree and shrub like they did in Elwynn.

I don't think a lot of people understand how texture resolution and object detail work together.

[Coffeh]

Current WoW has a lot of problems, but graphics isn't one.

[s_bushido]

pretty boob physics.

Ironically, some of the old models did have boob physics. The female dwarf and undead models were pretty blatant.

[Kaleredar]

Do you have visual proof so we can compare side by side?

lolwut? Have you just not played the game for the past like... three years?

[Deleted]

If we look at League of Legends and other such games, over the years there have been massive graphical improvements.

But with WoW it looks fairly similar to when it first was developed. I get that they want to go for a certain artstyle but some of the textures in particular look like a game from the ps2/xbox era.

Shouldn't Blizz give this more attention? It no doubt is a major factor why new players don't bother trying the game out.

do you have any idea how fked up an engine is that is running a game for over 13 years? do you know how much it would take to overhaul the complete game? please don't compare this to a shitty MOBA with its handful of maps and models.
have you EVER looked back at vanilla wow? google it and then please tell me again the game looks the same...ffs...

[Joodoc]

I said this in another thread, when they stop supporting people who play on potatoes they probably could make the game look much better.

Well I mean considering there are settings for literally everything to up or down your visuals, supporting potatoes does not affect the visuals when set at the top level...

[Dundebuns]

Have you seen the Argus skyboxes? They are beautiful compared to the ones in WoD.

[Kaleredar]

Ironically, some of the old models did have boob physics. The female dwarf and undead models were pretty blatant.

Don't forget the human female's breasts swelling up and down every time they took a breath.

[Mormolyce]

They do, it's just iterative and the way WoW works with new expansions introducing new zones means that most of the graphical improvements take place in new areas while old ones are relatively untouched.

Aside from a few graphic engine changes eg, water and lighting effects, the Vanilla world does still look like ass. But that's just how the game works. And the vast majority of the playerbase is in the newer zones these days.

- - - Updated - - -

Ironically, some of the old models did have boob physics. The female dwarf and undead models were pretty blatant.

I remember the old female dwarf rock-in-a-sock...

[Schattenlied]

I said this in another thread, when they stop supporting people who play on potatoes they probably could make the game look much better.

when they update the engine to take proper advantage of more than 1 CPU core, they will be able to better support the potatoes and add options to make the game look better on high end systems at the same time.

[ablib]

People act like this game still looks like Vanilla. It's insanely different now than it was in 2004. Graphically, it's almost a totally different game.

[Super Kami Dende]

Because redoing 1 Map in LoL is tantamount to redoing the entirety of WoW.

- - - Updated - - -

I remember the old female dwarf rock-in-a-sock...

I figured it gave extra damage on Warrior Charge.