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

[Schattenlied]

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

also this... They have one map to remake, that's probly got less textures on it than one single zone in WoW.

[Kathranis]

They do update the visuals every expansion, through a combination of model and animation revamps, new engine features, and expanded settings.

Here's Ashenvale in Classic:



And in Cataclysm:



And here's Val'Sharah in Legion:



Granted, a lot of the old world zones do look pretty dated by modern standards, even with settings cranked, especially when compared to newer zones. I think some of that could certainly do with a major refresh -- especially a lot of the old trees and buildings.

[Dartz1979]

They just need to firstly upgrade the graphics engine.. then go from there.. a good example is the new assassins creed origins graphics wow could be alot like that but not enough interest.

[Imnick]

The new content looks great honestly.
It'd be great if they could also update all of the old content to look that good but it's a huge manpower issue.

[Halicia]

They just need to firstly upgrade the graphics engine.. then go from there.. a good example is the new assassins creed origins graphics wow could be alot like that but not enough interest.

The potential market for MMOs is small enough to begin with, without limiting yourself to those people with highend rigs that could run it with graphics on par with a singleplayer 2017 game.

[Aquinan]

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.

Doesn't the 64bit client do that yet? I thought they did that already.

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...

Well yes it does, if you didn't have to have the base settings dumbed down for potatoes, you could have them much higher, and then better top end visuals too.

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

Unfortunately true.

[Schattenlied]

Doesn't the 64bit client do that yet? I thought they did that already.

bit has nothing to do with it, at all. This is a limitation of the API (DirectX11, and all it's predecessors), if we get a DX12 or Vulkan upgrade, then we will have proper multicore support.

[Kaleredar]

They just need to firstly upgrade the graphics engine.. then go from there.. a good example is the new assassins creed origins graphics wow could be alot like that but not enough interest.

Making a new game is a new graphics engine is a lot of work.


Remaking an old game in a new graphics engine is... a fuckton MORE work.


Frankly, I don't think a new engine would be "useful" to WoW in any meaningful way because the game was designed around very specific limitations. "Heightening" those limitations doesn't make those original assets better.

[Swizzington]

I don't think the type of person that would play WoW at this point is the type that would care much about graphics.

[MagusHenosis]

OK, so first of all, they HAVE updated the graphics over the years, and it was numerous times at that even.

Second, "more advanced graphics" doesnt automatically mean better, and the artistic aspect is MASSIVE.

The graphics in WoW are fine in my opinion.....

[Hisholyness]

Some people still play on bad computers, the better graphics the more you isolate people playing on lesser computers

[Tic Tacs]

Some people still play on bad computers, the better graphics the more you isolate people playing on lesser computers

Flawed argument, all the new content is more hardware demanding every expansion, besides you can always change your game settings to low/medium/high and many other options.

[MyndZero]

[/B]


"No doubt". I doubt. I doubt it quite a bit actually. Unless you have a survey of 1,000 players who started and quit the game regarding why they quit.

Also if WoW looked like LoL i'd quit.

I hope you realize you just supported his argument.

[Eleccybubb]

Flawed argument, all the new content is more hardware demanding every expansion, besides you can always change your game settings to low/medium/high and many other options.

https://eu.battle.net/support/en/article/76459

Nowhere near demanding for minimum.

The Core 2 Duo listed is 9 years old. The GT 440 is 6 years old. The AMD CPU is around 8 years old.

Even recommended can be built on a budget so even the recommended requirements aren't budget intensive.

Part of the appeal of the game is that it can run on low end pcs still. Might not be Pentium 4 stuff but that's still old tech listed in the min requirements.

[Powerogue]

They did. Just look at this cutscene from WotLK.



Now look at this one from late Mists of Pandaria.



(I could've picked anything from around this cutscene onward when they started using the improved character models but I love this fight)

[iamthedevil]

"Perfecting" the fashion that WoW already is, is the most important thing.

WoW has it's style. I hope they continue to build around that.

[cuafpr]

considering the age of the engine.. its amazing its being pushed as hard as it is. I suspect soon (tm) a new engine is part of an expac.

[Deleted]

in the thumbnail, vanilla looks a lot better to me. after watching the video i came to the conclusion that the improvements are not that great. in 11 years there are no massive game engine updates to really increase the details on characters. the clothes still seem to be glued to the skin. lul

[iamthedevil]

They did. Just look at this cutscene from WotLK.



(I could've picked anything from around this cutscene onward when they started using the improved character models but I love this fight)

Love that cutscene. I could just imagine it with modern graphics. The facial expressions that could make it even better. Wrathgate started Blizzard cut scenes, and for the most part, they have kept it up solid ever since.

[Cryptoriana]

I love the style of WoW. Idc if people say it looks dated

However i do think the UI and menu/ sub menus could use a massive overhaul