WoW is doing their Screenshot of the Day again with a new Cataclysm screenshot each day. If it wasn’t on the official site, I would have never believed it when I saw the screenshot below. First reaction was “WOAH!” and then I stared at it for about 10 minutes and it eventually started to look like the WoW I know. That initial reaction is important though because it means that obviously something has changed. I think it’s the lightning for sure, as well as a texture update.
A ‘blue’ posted that the screenshot was of Blasted Lands. If it is indeed then Cataclysm is totally revamping it. Blasted Lands is that ugly red zone with the Dark Portal. For it to change so drastically… now I want to see what the other zones look like.
The first ssotd is a little more like what we would expect to see from WoW, but overall it’s still improved with texture and model quality as well as lighting showing the most improvement.
I hope that they can keep the system reqs down — something that has been creeping up slowly as the years go on.
That is indeed a striking jump in graphical quality; I’d never have thought it was from WoW just looking at it.
I quit playing WoW a couple years ago. Looks like the graphics have come a long way!
No, the graphics have not come a long way. They haven’t advanced even one triangle in the past two years. These are supposed screenshots from the upcoming expansion for WoW, which Blizzard says will be out by the end of the year. You can search within your own heart to determine when that _actually_ means it’s coming out.
I am pleased to see, though, that the expansion for 2010/2011 now looks like it features water graphics from 2007. That tree, though…wow.
That mysterious tree in the background looks new to me, I’d really like to find out what’s going on there.
There’s been talk that this might be part of the tainted scar, because it was mentioned on the twitter QA.
“Q. Regarding Cataclysm, can you reveal any of the ‘major changes’ in Blasted Lands and how this will affect the lore?
A. I love the fact that one of our first questions is in regards to the Blasted Lands! We have big plans in store for this zone in Cataclysm. We will be revamping the entire flow of the zone so you can expect an entirely new experience here. Some of the big changes include an opening to the coastline for a new play area, as well as a large new worgen area in The Tainted Scar.”
The Shaders are truly the only thing they are improving here, while slowing integrating graphics into WoW that they didnt have before. This slow progression is following the slow progression of players and thier computers. Blizzard knows not everyone owns a $2,000 Desktop computer to run something like Age of Conan or EverQuest 2.
Great step for Blizzard, they did the same in WOTLK with model shaders and projected graphics, which didnt take a major hit on the computer, and now they are pushing zone graphics as well. Cannot wait.
I’m not holding my breath for the “live” graphics to look that good. Screenshots always have a way of making things appear better than they are 🙂
Plus, even if the new scenery does look that nice, it’s going to look really odd with those outdated character models running around 🙂
They are doing a full complete revamp of the water graphics is the main thing, and as you can see, they look great now.
Another feather in blizzard’s hat has really been how bad of a computer they have let you have and still play the game. While people have been complaining and wanting better graphics for a long time, Blizzard has always kept them low key. The payoff? The vast majority of the player base has old crappy computers and are very happy.
It’s funny in a way hearing “Crap, I will have to upgrade my computer for this expansion!” talk, simply because these people are using computers that are almost as old as (or in some cases as old as) WoW itself.
Moving closer to the quality of LOTRO graphics but they won’t match those without a total overhaul.
And as Spitfires said – the characters are going to look even more jarring if just the landscapes improve!
Its really the water that makes it look like such a big jump, if you look at the rest, it looks nice, but not hugely better. Also, the blasted lands used to be a swamp (lore wise), so it isn’t that huge a leap to see it going back that way.
I’m more curious to see what everything looks like during the day, to be honest. Things always look better at night in WoW because the textures blend better under darker lighting effects. It’s hard to judge just how much has changed when everything in the picture blends together into one overall color. Though, the water effect does look decent. It’s not breathtaking, but it’s different.
Really nice screenshot.
@Dietx you never needed a $2000 computer to run AoC or EQ2. 😛
Bliz has like Steam e.g http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/ a “tool” to get enough info from you. =)
So I guess enough players can run the new expansion……
I can’t believe that this would be Blasted Lands! That’s a complete 180. Looks more like a revamped Dustwallow Marsh, rather. Interesting. I look forward to seeing more of the Cataclysm reworks.
[…] Keen is stunned by the new visuals upgrade apparently due with Cataclysm. […]
the only thing that really changed in that screenie was the water effects, everything else looks pretty much the same, doesn’t it?
Huge improvement from the old blasted lands lol. I never liked all that red dirt. Gorgeous picture, I’ll have to keep an eye out for those.
It is the same ten year old graphics engine. Same horrible textures and blocky characters.
They did update the water effects for cataclysm though and that is why it looks nice.
Then again wow is a great mmo and I don´t believe anyone plays it for the graphics anyway.
Their old engine gives my new computer massive problems. I remember this one smoke graphic used in WOTLK, froze my screen for about 30seconds.
Like others have said, old engine with 2007 water graphic. Their trees still look awful, their mist does as well. Meh.
Either way, that isn’t my problem with the engine. The problem with the engine is what it can do in terms of MMORPGs. e.g. can only hold a limited amount of people.
Yup, nothing there besides a reflective water shader. (Which Blizzard should have implemented years ago! I mean, that’s some seriously old school stuff — e.g. Morrowind had reflective water back in 2002.)