GamesMMOFinal Fantasy XIVAs Final Fantasy 14 shows off upgraded characters graphics, Yoshi-P acknowledges the MMO has been “bad” at displaying darker skinWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesMMOFinal Fantasy XIVAs Final Fantasy 14 shows off upgraded characters graphics, Yoshi-P acknowledges the MMO has been “bad” at displaying darker skinWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Square Enix)
Final Fantasy 14 devs have previewed its upcoming graphical update, and expressed regret over the lighting of dark-skinned characters.
This past weekend saw the Tokyo iteration of Final Fantasy 14’s FanFest, and game director Naoki Yoshida was on hand to preview upcoming additions for the MMO. In particular, Yoshida talked up the long-awaited graphical update, set to arrive in Final Fantasy 14 for PC andPS5players later this year in summer 2024 alongside the Dawntrail expansion.
Just below, you can see snapshots taken from the FanFest which show ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots of upgraded character models. The likes of the Elezen, Highlander, Lalafell, Au Ra, and other in-game races all look like they’ve had a serious overhaul with the new graphical upgrade, making Final Fantasy 14’s characters effectively look better than ever before.
According to Nova Crystallis though, which was live-tweeting the showcase with the graphical update, game director Naoki Yoshida acknowledged criticisms of Final Fantasy 14’s dark-skinned characters. Yoshida even said the MMO had been “bad” at displaying “dark-skinned” characters in certain lighting conditions in the past, and pledged to rectify this with the upcoming big overhaul.
Yoshida: Historically, XIV has been bad at displaying dark skin, especially in dark places. The new shaders will allow lighting and shadow to improve this.January 7, 2024
Yoshida: Historically, XIV has been bad at displaying dark skin, especially in dark places. The new shaders will allow lighting and shadow to improve this.January 7, 2024
Now, Final Fantasy 14 players far and wide are reacting to the upgrade, as well as Yoshida’s statement. The player just below really “wasn’t expecting” Yoshida to openly acknowledge the criticism of the MMO’s dark-skinned characters, but says it was nonetheless a welcome sentiment.
Hearing Yoshi P legitimately go"Yeah in the past dark skinned characters would not look good under poor lighting conditions and we worked to explicitly fix that"is a level I wasn’t expecting but really appreciate pic.twitter.com/anVuOCsJKRJanuary 7, 2024
Hearing Yoshi P legitimately go"Yeah in the past dark skinned characters would not look good under poor lighting conditions and we worked to explicitly fix that"is a level I wasn’t expecting but really appreciate pic.twitter.com/anVuOCsJKRJanuary 7, 2024
Elsewhere, former GameSpot editor and Kinda Funny host Michael Higham writes that he’s “glad"Square Enixlistened to the criticism, and seem to be taking it seriously. However, Higham wants to see what the upgraded and rectified character models look like throughout the entire MMO before passing broad judgment on Square Enix’s commitment.
im glad they took this criticism seriously, but i wanna see how this is gonna look across the game https://t.co/C4Je1ag96gJanuary 7, 2024
im glad they took this criticism seriously, but i wanna see how this is gonna look across the game https://t.co/C4Je1ag96gJanuary 7, 2024
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Elsewhere among the MMO’s community,Final Fantasy 14 players are obsessing over the Pictomancer, Dawntrail’s brand new job, armed with little more than a paintbrush. It’s the fact that the class can paint things into reality, though, which has inspired some especially unhinged reactions.
While you wait for Dawntrail to drop, check out ourbest MMORPGsguide for a look at the best time sinks around.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
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1
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”