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EVE's graphics: cell-shading/graphic novel?
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AlleyKat
The Unwanted.
#1 - 2013-01-10 17:00:55 UTC
Interested in comments regarding the graphics/look of EVE, and whether a cell-shaded/graphical novel look would 'work'?

As it stands, the current graphics are stylistically geared towards 'realism'; expending time attempting realistic lighting, realistic reflections, realistic specularity, realistic simulated radiosity, realistic [insert terminology here] etc.

So, putting aside the obligatory 'CCP should focus on X' arguments, what do you feel should be the style of graphics? And; could a graphical novel style be applied to EVE?

EVE-Lopedia example

I'd also be interested to learn whether this has ever been a consideration by CCP, and if anyone raised this in the past at Fanfest etc and got a quantified response.

AK

This space for rent.
Teebling
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#2 - 2013-01-10 17:20:33 UTC
I think that the current art direction is fine as it is, but more secondary art assets, like portraits such as the one you linked, or even pictures for stations/regions and other areas of the game would add a lot of feeling and character to EvE.
lilith silverstone
The Arrow Project
#3 - 2013-01-10 17:31:44 UTC  |  Edited by: lilith silverstone
Realism ftw

Edit: remember that any major graphical style change in eve would also need to be carried over to DUST 514, in which I do not think this style would work.
Mai Khumm
172.0.0.1
#4 - 2013-01-10 17:31:54 UTC
That's a cool concept, but I highly doubt they'll change the current art concept...
Some Rando
University of Caille
Gallente Federation
#5 - 2013-01-10 17:34:43 UTC
tbh I could go for some old-school Robotech-style cell-shading.

EVE looks fine as-is, though.

CCP has no sense of humour.
AlleyKat
The Unwanted.
#6 - 2013-01-10 17:38:15 UTC
Teebling wrote:
I think that the current art direction is fine as it is, but more secondary art assets, like portraits such as the one you linked, or even pictures for stations/regions and other areas of the game would add a lot of feeling and character to EvE.


This however, is at the mercy of polygon count and a never-ending research and development of graphics.

It reminds me of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world - they clean the windows by hand and, when they have cleaned them all, they need to start from the beginning all over again.

If EVE had a graphical style like a graphic novel, this would reduce the frequency of graphical updates and reduce research and development necessities, which in turn reduces cost of game development, or allows that cost to be transferred - but that's not the focus of the thread.

You point about portraits and station environments is interesting, but I believe if you were to do it, it would need to be a ubiquitous style - including DUST.

Thinking more about your comment for station environments, I think there is something to say about fixed cameras in stations if your had a graphic-novel style. E.G; Character moves off-frame, and another camera angle is presented, framed for ambiance - almost like the character is walking from one page of the graphic novel to another. Some games are like this, I think the first Resident Evil had it on PS1, but I'm confident there have been others before it and after it which use this technique.

AK

This space for rent.
Bienator II
madmen of the skies
#7 - 2013-01-10 19:00:26 UTC
for me, realism and scifi go hand in hand. Just take a look what SWTOR did to star wars with the comic look. Star wars used to be a darker dirtier universe compared to the alternatives like star track in the 70s. Now it looks like a disney comic. Well, it IS a disney comic.

how to fix eve: 1) remove ECM 2) rename dampeners to ECM 3) add new anti-drone ewar for caldari 4) give offgrid boosters ongrid combat value
Solstice Project
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#8 - 2013-01-10 20:18:31 UTC  |  Edited by: Solstice Project
Celshading ... yuck.

Cel ... not Cell.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celshading
Alternate Poster
Zerious Fricken Biziness
#9 - 2013-01-10 23:53:26 UTC
Mai Khumm wrote:
That's a cool concept, but I highly doubt they'll change the current art concept...


Don't have to change the art.
Can do it with edge detection in the display driver: instead of anti-aliasing an edge you paint it black.
That's pretty much what they did in the original borderlands, you could even turn it off and have normal anti-aliasing.
Tippia
Sunshine and Lollipops
#10 - 2013-01-11 00:00:25 UTC
Ugh no. It's completely wrong for the tone of EVE.
If you want it, get a graphics card and/or drivers that support post-processing filters and turn it on there.
None ofthe Above
#11 - 2013-01-11 02:15:26 UTC
You ever turn down the graphics settings?

I have several machines I occasionally play EVE on where everything already looks cell shaded. Doesn't look bad even.

Just change your settings... Done.

The only end-game content in EVE Online is the crap that makes you rage quit.
Rain6639
GoonWaffe
Goonswarm Federation
#12 - 2013-01-11 03:34:09 UTC  |  Edited by: Rain6639
the photo-realism of a game's avatars is a pretty solid indicator of how seeerious is the business

and EVE spaceships? I'm about to propose to my avatar. though I have a feeling she just uses me for PLEX
Oberine Noriepa
#13 - 2013-01-11 04:00:42 UTC
I think the game could use more post-processing effects. It would be cool to see things like depth of field or object based motion blur. Better lighting, too. Smile

∃
Mr Pragmatic
#14 - 2013-01-11 06:48:14 UTC
Oberine Noriepa wrote:
I think the game could use more post-processing effects. It would be cool to see things like depth of field or object based motion blur. Better lighting, too. Smile



we need more lens flare.

Super cali hella yolo swaga dopeness.  -Yoloswaggins, in the fellowship of the bling.
Luc Chastot
#15 - 2013-01-11 07:16:51 UTC
I like it as is, but I wouldn't mind a dark graphic novel look.

Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot.

Luc Chastot
#16 - 2013-01-11 07:20:24 UTC
Mr Pragmatic wrote:
Oberine Noriepa wrote:
I think the game could use more post-processing effects. It would be cool to see things like depth of field or object based motion blur. Better lighting, too. Smile



we need more lens flare.


You could say that EVE has infinite DoF, as opposed to narrow DoF. Technically, what you're requesting is for the game to have less or a narrower DoF; such a thing would be highly unlikely due to the enormous distances we work with.

Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot.

Oberine Noriepa
#17 - 2013-01-11 07:35:24 UTC
Luc Chastot wrote:
Mr Pragmatic wrote:
Oberine Noriepa wrote:
I think the game could use more post-processing effects. It would be cool to see things like depth of field or object based motion blur. Better lighting, too. Smile



we need more lens flare.


You could say that EVE has infinite DoF, as opposed to narrow DoF. Technically, what you're requesting is for the game to have less or a narrower DoF; such a thing would be highly unlikely due to the enormous distances we work with.

Yes, I understand that. I should have specified that I would really only use something like this for cinematic purposes only. Make it an option in the advanced camera menu, or something.

Motion blur could totally work, though.

∃
Mars Theran
Foreign Interloper
#18 - 2013-01-11 08:48:06 UTC
I think EVE's graphics are great and I'm hoping they will continue to improve. Realism is desirable.
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