Guild Wars 2: Hated Graphics Update Brings Lightning Fast Hotfix
Some bugs and unwelcome features in Guild Wars 2 have existed for years, constantly criticized by players – but with no response from the developers at Arenanet. So if an update brings a change with it that is thrown out of the game six hours later, then it’s a blatant exception, a nasty exploit or really angry players. The December 13, 2022 Wintersday update falls into the latter category. But why have people been so mad?
GW2: Forced post-processing effects? Not with us!
The actually festive Wintersday update contained two small, innocent lines about postprocessing in the Arenanet patch notes. This graphics setting provides bloom, color correction, depth of field, portal distortions, and character outlines:
- Postprocessing options have been renamed to Low, Medium, and High.
- Color correction is now enabled in the lowest postprocessing options.
What that doesn’t make clear: Previously, there was post-processing in the “None”, “Low” and “High” settings. Accordingly, all players had to deal with strong after the update bloom effects to play. This effect makes lighting conditions appear more realistic, with lighting that pervades the entire screen. Here is a comparison:
But not all players are up for it, on the contrary. Some even get sick of it, no joke! Others are simply aesthetically offended because for them it just distorts the game’s graphics. That’s why there was a few hours later the hotfix:
- Changes made to post-processing settings have been reverted.
Here’s how the community is reacting to the quick hotfix in Guild Wars 2
Arenanet’s lightning-fast response to player feedback didn’t go unnoticed. On Reddit, many GW2 fans have praised itthat the Arenanet folks were quick to revert the changes:
- “The quick response and speed did not go unnoticed. To err is human and admitting and correcting mistakes is commendable. GG” – zoejdm
- “Quick fix I’m impressed” – ALLSHALLPERISHUK
- “I’m used to the developers (of other games) completely ignoring what the players want. I’m blown away by how well this has been handled. Great work guys! <3" - VeryJuicySchnitzel
Better options for postprocessing in development
The developers, specifically Game Director Josha “Grouch” Davis, also detailed the intention behind this update: It was actually about preparation for the final implementation of DirectX11 in GW2. Color correction and bloom will then be separate settings from postprocessing. However, this adjustment did not make it into the update, only the change that postprocessing can no longer be switched off (which is therefore intended). So suddenly everyone was forced to bloom. Players have long wanted a split of post-processing options – after all, some want color correction, but not bloom. And that is exactly what is in the works.
“As we continue to work on improving the visuals of the game, we want to give players as much control as possible over their graphics settings, be it for aesthetic, performance or accessibility reasons.”emphasizes the game director in the official forum.
Reference-www.buffed.de
