Character models just look so awful!

joe2119

I just went through watching all the progression videos and while what I saw I thought was cool, I just couldn't get past how awful the character models are. I know, this is a silly bone to pick, but come on, If i'm going to be playing the game I'm going to have to look at them all the time while I'm playing it.

 

I can understand a cartoon art style approach but this is just bad. The more armor the characters have on to hide their limbs and body the better they look, anything skin tight though looks absolutely awful, speaking of which, why does everyone wear spandex? They're Jedi, not super heroes. The weapons all looked pretty bland as well, but I could tolerate that.

 

Anyways, this is just my opinion, I've heard lots of similiar opinions so I can't help but wonder why they're still using these models? Are there people out there that actually like this look? (above the age of 8). Also have there been any plans to offer alternative character models like some games?

Calibanvov

when they released the first pics, I was turned off as wel.  However, they have improved a great deal since then.

This is still in Alpha 2 stage, so it probably will have another graphic improvement iteration. But I think it looks pretty good now, though I would of prefered realistic graphics.

The environmental graphics looks great, (sky, landscapes, etc.)

The overall game should be pretty awesome, so thats the more important thing.

 

Beanpuie

Cant really say much of this except it being a matter of taste.

 

there are those that thing Age of Conan's graphics and or Armor sets look like pure crap, with some saying they find better looking armor playing EQ1, or it isnt  FANTASY enough..something along those lines.

 

Vhaln

I agree.  I think "awful" might be too disputable a word, but definitely awfully bland.  Kind of like LOTRO, yet more cartoonish.  Can't imagine why they'd think that was a good design style decision.  Blandness will cripple mass popularity faster than anything controversial in terms of lore, age rating, hardware limiting, or whatever it is they could be worried about.

Doushi

models look good to me, I had issue with the lightsabers when they were huge but that has been fixed ages ago.

Yalexy

gamplay > animations > models & testures

Yes, the models and textures are lacking, but you've got to accept that this game is targeted at the biggest possible audience, i.e. ment to run fluid even on five year old desktop hardware and $600 notebooks.

It's something the better developers do understand, whereas the not so intelligent ones go full graphics and details and cut off half their possible customers.

I think that SWTOR-graphics are quiet OK for the target-audience if you look at all the others released during the last year. Single player games is another story tho, as the're more shortlived anyways.

Alders

They definitely look better than a year ago but there's still something off about them. To me i think it's the lighting on faces. I just can't put my finger on it but it just looks weird. The shadows make all the faces look like something out of Planet Of The Apes.

joe2119

Originally posted by Yalexy

gamplay > animations > models & testures

Yes, the models and textures are lacking, but you've got to accept that this game is targeted at the biggest possible audience, i.e. ment to run fluid even on five year old desktop hardware and $600 notebooks.

It's something the better developers do understand, whereas the not so intelligent ones go full graphics and details and cut off half their possible customers.

I think that SWTOR-graphics are quiet OK for the target-audience if you look at all the others released during the last year. Single player games is another story tho, as the're more shortlived anyways.

 

I understand that, but you can make better looking models, this is the art style more than graphics or shaders or any of that. Their proportions look off...or something, I can't exactly put my finger on it but they just look wrong and bad in my opinion. yet, thats my opinion.

and of course it's not going to stop me from playing the game but it's certainly going to continuously bug me while I'm playing

TGSOL

Originally posted by Yalexy

gamplay > animations > models & testures

Yes, the models and textures are lacking, but you've got to accept that this game is targeted at the biggest possible audience, i.e. ment to run fluid even on five year old desktop hardware and $600 notebooks.

It's something the better developers do understand, whereas the not so intelligent ones go full graphics and details and cut off half their possible customers.

I think that SWTOR-graphics are quiet OK for the target-audience if you look at all the others released during the last year. Single player games is another story tho, as the're more shortlived anyways.

I still think they could do a better job without sacrificing much in the way of performance, but this is an important point. They want this game to run on old computers, and they want more "cartoony" and less "realistic" graphics so that the game's visuals age better.

Karahandras

Originally posted by Vhaln

I agree.  I think "awful" might be too disputable a word, but definitely awfully bland.  Kind of like LOTRO, yet more cartoonish.  Can't imagine why they'd think that was a good design style decision.  Blandness will cripple mass popularity faster than anything controversial in terms of lore, age rating, hardware limiting, or whatever it is they could be worried about.

This

Wharg0ul

Go play KOTOR.

Then remember that this is basically KOTOR Online.

Pigozz

Agree, it's not what would u expect from 2011 game (even in MMO standarts) and yess there's something odd about them(like the size of hands, noses, HAIR etc..)

And yes, I still enjoy games like Albion or Might&Magic so it has nothing to do with gfx adoration..

ormstunga

I think they do look abit stale, but if the movement is responsive and the feel is right I can probably look past that (or even forget about it) once I'm behind the controls myself. It didnt bother me in Lotro and its not gonna keep me from playing SWtor

Armors and such look great, at least the classes I'm considering playing: trooper and/or consular. And we havent seen much in the ways of armor anyhow. Personally hoping for some kind of casual wear aswell, gear that is more looks then stats to distinguish oneself more. But probably not.

Asmiroth20

    Went back to playing KOTOR not to long ago and they do really look similar.  TOR's looks more polished and refined though.  I love the design, ofcourse, I love stylized art.

Elikal

I think they are actually on a good way. The clothing and armour could be less odd, especially clothing looks almost like painted on the skin. And I yet want to see more aliens. Somehow most non-mob characters I see are humans or human variants. I haven't seen many Mon Cals, Bothans, Nautolans or whatever. And agreed, some alien models look... not so good.

Why haven't I seen a single Bothan?? <.<  >.>  <.<

MumboJumbo

Personally really like SWTOR art/design etc. I think it may have long legs overall : )

The combat vids for the classes are the thing that is incrementally improving. I'm still concerned about combat but it's improving.

revy66

I wouldn't say awful, the problem lies with the human mostly.

maskedweasel

Originally posted by revy66

I wouldn't say awful, the problem lies with the human mostly.

I think its just the faces for basic human models.. they seem... kind of.. shiny or something.  I can't really put my finger on it.

 

The models look good though,  particularly the armor sets and helmets... I think they look fantastic. 

gobla

I'm actually quite happy with the way they're doing things.

I've always been bothered how Mass Effect and Dragon Age have quite good graphics but when the faces start showing expressions it just kinda falls apart.

I'm hoping that by doing a more stylised graphic style they can maintain the believability of the models even with facial expressions. Kind of like how Wall-E shows more emotion then 50% of hollywood actors.

We'll have to see how it turns out though, but seeing the amount of progress they've made through the months I'm optimistic.

revy66

Originally posted by maskedweasel

Originally posted by revy66

I wouldn't say awful, the problem lies with the human mostly.

I think its just the faces for basic human models.. they seem... kind of.. shiny or something.  I can't really put my finger on it.

 

The models look good though,  particularly the armor sets and helmets... I think they look fantastic. 

Yeah, I saw the infamous Taral V video from Pax East the other day, the smuggler and trooper armor looked exceptional especially the cloth physics.

Also the jedi cape. Gotta love the flowing cape when running.

scragcat

kinda reminds of of a bunch of clothing store dummies (cant be bothered to spell manaquin right) running around shooting and swinging swords.  But i don't care since by far Gameplay > animations

Celcius

They used to look pretty bad, but now I think they look great. Look at WoW's models, they are prehistoric but people still seem to tolerate them. I don't think character models really matter in the long haul. You will either like them or you won't; it will have little affect on deciding to play the game. 

Requiamer

I think they are quiet fidel to the clone war serie, not as much stylized, but i wouldn't even imagine if they were as stylized as in clone war, it would have been an endless crying. But probably most people never saw the clone war cartoon serie, so. In europe i think its totally unknown at least.

ThomasN7

They aren't that bad. Seen worse aka World of Warcraft character models.

Tardcore

Originally posted by Elikal

I think they are actually on a good way. The clothing and armour could be less odd, especially clothing looks almost like painted on the skin. And I yet want to see more aliens. Somehow most non-mob characters I see are humans or human variants. I haven't seen many Mon Cals, Bothans, Nautolans or whatever. And agreed, some alien models look... not so good.

Why haven't I seen a single Bothan?? <.<  >.>  <.<

Because Bothans are spies. They spend most of their time skulking behind cover.

 

My feelings are meh on the stylized art style. I don't love it, I don't hate it. The graphics certainly aren't a gamebreaker for me. Though I admit some of the outfits they have created for some of the toons seem a bit ridiculous to me. Case in point the Sith Inquisitor. He looks like a mixture of Sark from Tron and The Nite Owl from The Watchmen. Its kind of hard to imagine him springing into action when he looks like the best he can do in that get up is waddle like a penguin. (And WTF is that thing above his crotch? A CREDIT CARD SLOT!!??)

 

Swanea

I think the actually size of the character can look quite...off at times.

But the armor I have no problem with.