Aion - what ever happened to the pretty graphics?

OK so I've been looking at some screenshots of Aion and I can't help but wonder where the amazing graphics that were promised have gone to? I can remember being taken aback by them back in 2006, but now they're so meh.

Following are a few screenies for comparison. Note that Guild Wars: Eye of the North was released in 2007 and in the screenshots anti-aliasing is turned off:

Sorry for the small size...

Aion:
http://mygaming.co.za/forum/picture....&pictureid=522
http://mygaming.co.za/forum/picture....&pictureid=525

Guild Wars:

http://mygaming.co.za/forum/picture....&pictureid=523
http://mygaming.co.za/forum/picture....&pictureid=524


I know the Aion screens may not be the most flattering, but I mean look at the ground textures. Eish...

ummm?

U change your resolution and AA and what nots?

Cause i know if u put constant FPS on it disables a lot of things

I am not 100% sure, but you may be using screenshots of Aion in the original Asian release. From what I recall reading, they updated a lot of the graphics for it which will be in the western release. The Beta may very well be running on the older graphics for certain reasons.

Again, I am not 100% sure about this.

Oh, and GW2 is just crazy good looking! Which may very well mean less players (depending), due to PC specs needed.

*Yeah seems the ground texture are poopy from what I am reading*

Can anyone who has the game installed possibly take a screenshot of Aion with the graphics on maximum so we can settle this? :)

I did some research and you are correct Lydon.

I think a reason it may use lower res textures and the like for the ground and some scenery is largely to reduce lag in huge open PvP. I recall in WAR when large open PvP occurred that even with low settings the game would crawl.

GW2 does not have to worry about that from what I understand. Since the PvP is all instanced still, and the only open PvP in it is consensual duels. So GW2 can afford to up the ante with awesome graphic fidelity.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tehNihilist

I did some research and you are correct Lydon.

I think a reason it may use lower res textures and the like for the ground and some scenery is largely to reduce lag in huge open PvP. I recall in WAR when large open PvP occurred that even with low settings the game would crawl.

GW2 does not have to worry about that from what I understand. Since the PvP is all instanced still, and the only open PvP in it is consensual duels. So GW2 can afford to up the ante with awesome graphic fidelity.

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I think it's simply because ArenaNet designed an awesome engine for Guild Wars. Guild Wars' largest PvP battles are 12 vs. 12, thus there are 24 people in an instance. Whilst this isn't nowhere near as large as some other games, my PC hardly changes in framerate with so many extra people. It's a very efficient client.

The Aion developers should have included high-res terrain textures with the ability to turn them off for those experiencing lag. It really is a shame.

Yeah I agree they should have given the option for better graphics options.

Oh well, pointless crying over spilled milk. Lets hope that the gameplay long term at least delivers something decent - that is what really matter for me.

Wow Guild Wars is looking awesome! It didn't look like that when I last played it. :)

Each campaign/expansion has upped the graphics quite significantly without increasing system requirements very much at all.

I'm glad ArenaNet are using an in-house designed engine for Guild Wars 2 as well.

Can anyone with the the beta client perhaps burn it to DVD and post it to me please :( ?