Classic EQ with modern graphics

[Gadwen]

I would definitely play it, but I think it would be a shame for a developer to just recreate classic EQ and stop there. I would love to see someone recreate EQ with a modern engine and then go on to continue to add new content that was in the spirit of the classic gameplay.

[myriverse]

If by "cutting edge" you mean the ultra-reallistic stuff that's in most modern games, then no. I prefer graphics that are more cartoony.

Luclin models were perfection. And ogres are supposed to look like monsters.

[Aabdel]

Originally Posted by Cippofra [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

An ogre isn't supposed to look like some scary monster. They're meant to look fat and retarded.

Amen. I think it would be impossible to change the graphics without changing the feel of the game. Too much nostalgia is carried by the low res and blocky characters. Plus, I personally always loved the look of armor on pretty much every race with the old textures, especially plate. Went from being shiny and impressive to dull and boring. Anyone remember the luclin-era male halfling plate helmet graphics?

[Scior]

I would try it out, considering I just switched over to luclin graphics a couple weeks ago.

[t0lkien]

Originally Posted by myriverse [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If by "cutting edge" you mean the ultra-reallistic stuff that's in most modern games, then no. I prefer graphics that are more cartoony.

Luclin models were perfection. And ogres are supposed to look like monsters.

Ultra-realistic is not necessarily cutting edge - the engine is not the art style. I wouldn't call EQ graphics cartoony at all, though I understand why you say that. They were the most detailed which could be rendered by the tech at the time. EQ was High Fantasy. That's the art style a modern version would have to work to stay true to.

A "modern" view of EQ graphics is already represented on the box art. For example:

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[myriverse]

That box art is cartoony.

And the Luclin models were more in line with what the box and concept art showed.

[t0lkien]

I call the style semi-realistic High Fantasy (which draws from the D&D roots, which drew from Lord of the Rings and the Conan stories - check out all the fantasy artwork from early P&P days). It's detailed and infused with realism, but obviously art at the same time. WoW is cartoony. Zelda is cartoony.

But it's semantic really. The only problem I have with the term cartoony is what it includes and suggests, which in the case of EQ is not true. I do get why you guys say it though, and I like that aspect of the classic EQ look as well.

[Droog007]

I would play this game. I agree that the luclin modelers/animators just did not get it. I think they invested too much time stretching the limits of the engine when a very basic make-over could have been executed beautifully. I would have liked to have seen armor get some modest dimensions instead of just new textures (not bashing SoV skins though), and weapons stowed when not in combat... other than that just a few more polygons and some polish.

The real culprit was the addition of mounts, I believe. Trying to make each model look like they could believably mount and ride a horse drove a lot of artistic mistakes...

Blizzard made all the right moves here...

[TarukShmaruk]

Originally Posted by myriverse [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Luclin models were perfection. And ogres are supposed to look like monsters.

Originally Posted by myriverse [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Luclin models were perfection.

Originally Posted by myriverse [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

perfection.

what

A "modern" view of EQ graphics is already represented on the box art. For example:

No, this was just a rendition of a particular artist that they used and nothing more. This isn't/wasn't Blizzard where they had a unified art direction for the game.

The original in-game art direction of ogres/trolls was done that way for a reason - and it wasn't just because they were low poly. They had an animation for scratching their ass.

A huge chunk of people detest the Luclin models for a reason - they are devoid of personality. The trolls/ogres look ridiculous.

[t0lkien]

Originally Posted by TarukShmaruk [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

what



No, this was just a rendition of a particular artist that they used and nothing more. This isn't/wasn't Blizzard where they had a unified art direction for the game.

The original in-game art direction of ogres/trolls was done that way for a reason - and it wasn't just because they were low poly. They had an animation for scratching their ass.

A huge chunk of people detest the Luclin models for a reason - they are devoid of personality. The trolls/ogres look ridiculous.

I didn't like anything about Luclin art beyond the higher fidelity, including the models and animations. It was amateur (the attack animations were embarrassing), and without any feeling for what went before it. However, the box art on classic expansions represents a good example of what the game would have looked like had it been made on current/future tech. Nothing companies release artistically is "one person's rendition". Trust me on this. There would have been 5 different people sign off on those drawings, and there would have been several revisions of them at least before that point.

The box art is an example only. The main source is the game itself. I'm the last person you have to convince of the nastiness of what happened after Velious - both art and systems, which they broke beyond repair.