New models with some different faces

[Deleted]

no.. there is not.

What you are see is the exact same face, with nothing more then subtle wrinkles or lines used.

This is the exact same thing that happened with the pandaren.

Yep, I feel like people are just getting used to the prospect of same face and any slight difference seems good enough for them.
Lowering them expectations.

[Soulwind]

no.. there is not.

What you are see is the exact same face, with nothing more then subtle wrinkles or lines used.

This is the exact same thing that happened with the pandaren.

And every previous race and gender, it's simply more obvious now.

[Maxilian]

I thought this was a trick picture. But then you have to look really closely to see differences in the new model same face. Really easy to tell apart the lower quality ones. They need to work on the same face problem with these new models.

Well is mostly cause with the old models every face give almost a permanent emotional look (for example: X faces would make your Tauren looks angry... Always) but now the new models have more neutral expressions, so they need more than just texture changes, they need to create a completely new face (Different eyes shape, different nose, different mouth, etc...)

[Trassk]

And every previous race and gender, it's simply more obvious now.

Ok. Heres the thing with that.

When blizzard made the vanilla races, and even TBC races, these models did not have any moving animation on there faces, it was locked from showing any emotion. Because of this reason, blizzard found a way to create the illusion that each face option you choose had different appearances to them, creating the illusion of different emotions or designs, like pissed off face, happy face, old face, young face. And it worked well.

However, what we are seeing here now, is the exact same problem with the pandaren. It is one face, and the only difference is some markings.

Blizzard have made a fatal mistake in there approach to this. What they did was use new technology to make old models have better animations, but at the same time are trying to use the same old system to create the 'illusion' of unique faces, and it just doesn't work anymore.

Why then is it, that given all the extra work put into making faces more animated then before, did the devs not at the same time think of a way to use this new tech to create a better, updated way to make every face look unique?
They are trying to convince us our characters have unique face types, but its not washing, its just the same old crap tactic that was used on vanilla races, used on a new mesh where there illusion is just not reliable anymore.

[Deleted]

And every previous race and gender, it's simply more obvious now.

This is the core of the problem. What worked great for a mmo 10 years ago doesn't hold up by today's standards. This model revamp is only going to happen once (or for a VERY long time at least) so they should be going about it in a more modern day approach.

[Deleted]

This is the core of the problem. What worked great for a mmo 10 years ago doesn't hold up by today's standards. This model revamp is only going to happen once (or for a VERY long time at least) so they should be going about it in a more modern day approach.

The models we're getting is about as good as possible for WoW's outdated engines.

[Soulwind]

Ok. Heres the thing with that.

When blizzard made the vanilla races, and even TBC races, these models did not have any moving animation on there faces, it was locked from showing any emotion. Because of this reason, blizzard found a way to create the illusion that each face option you choose had different appearances to them, creating the illusion of different emotions or designs, like pissed off face, happy face, old face, young face. And it worked well.

However, what we are seeing here now, is the exact same problem with the pandaren. It is one face, and the only difference is some markings.

Blizzard have made a fatal mistake in there approach to this. What they did was use new technology to make old models have better animations, but at the same time are trying to use the same old system to create the 'illusion' of unique faces, and it just doesn't work anymore.

Why then is it, that given all the extra work put into making faces more animated then before, did the devs not at the same time think of a way to use this new tech to create a better, updated way to make every face look unique?
They are trying to convince us our characters have unique face types, but its not washing, its just the same old crap tactic that was used on vanilla races, used on a new mesh where there illusion is just not reliable anymore.

I agree, and I've been one of the few suggesting 'easy' ways to improve them without having to create different face models and skeletons, like nose/ear/chin geosets and face-specific idle animations that force an actual expression.

I just don't think they give the sameface issue as much importance as some of us do. And I'm not sure it's a mistake, considering most players don't really care what they character looks like. Any additional development time spent could be considered a waste.

Then again, why make an update if you're going to ignore these issues. The new models attract new players and make those who look at their character happy, but both groups will notice the lack of customization, while those who won't, didn't care to begin with.

Would I like to see more faces? Sure. Will I leave the game if they aren't there? No. Customization was never WoW's strength.

[Deleted]

The models we're getting is about as good as possible for WoW's outdated engines.

The quality of the models is more than adequate. It's using the same model that's the problem.

[threads]

but now the new models have more neutral expressions

They didn't even make them neutral. All the gnomes are smiling for some reason and every orc has the dumbfounded garrosh look on their face.

[Deleted]

They all look the same. Crap work Blizz, really crap

[snuzzle]

Ok. Heres the thing with that.

When blizzard made the vanilla races, and even TBC races, these models did not have any moving animation on there faces, it was locked from showing any emotion. Because of this reason, blizzard found a way to create the illusion that each face option you choose had different appearances to them, creating the illusion of different emotions or designs, like pissed off face, happy face, old face, young face. And it worked well.

However, what we are seeing here now, is the exact same problem with the pandaren. It is one face, and the only difference is some markings.

Blizzard have made a fatal mistake in there approach to this. What they did was use new technology to make old models have better animations, but at the same time are trying to use the same old system to create the 'illusion' of unique faces, and it just doesn't work anymore.

Why then is it, that given all the extra work put into making faces more animated then before, did the devs not at the same time think of a way to use this new tech to create a better, updated way to make every face look unique?
They are trying to convince us our characters have unique face types, but its not washing, its just the same old crap tactic that was used on vanilla races, used on a new mesh where there illusion is just not reliable anymore.

We already had this capability in Cata with goblin faces, where they can have different noses, chins and ears, which does WONDERS for changing the way their faces look. And their faces are super unique and fun as well, especially the females (which is a first!). Yes, the nose/chin/ear are all linked up. So? It's still better than every face having the same exact nose, same exact chin, same exact ears. Not even any shading to try to contour and create the illusion of difference.

So why the huge downgrade in terms of customization? They could do it in Cata. And yes, goblin models have wonderfully expressive faces. Sure, maybe not as much as pandaren, but it's enough.

I'd be willing to bet that most people would take that minor downgrade in facial bones to goblin quality instead of pandaren quality, if it meant not sacrificing facial uniqueness. In fact, I'd bet my account on it.