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WoW Cataclysm: Maximum DirectX 11 graphics

Website PCGH shows screenshots from the Worgen starting area using the experimental DX11 render path.

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pcgameshardware.com
CombineElite5632d ago

This articles title is VERY misleading. WOW does use a DX11 code path to do DX9 graphics more efficiently. WOW does not use any DX11 visual effects.

WOW runs on a modified warcraft 3 engine that was uses Direct X 8.1 (no that is not a typo). On it's highest settings in DX9 WOW looks good but it has a HUGE draw distance and a lot of detail.

Xfanboy5632d ago

Meh.. wow looks crappy! I hope guild wars 2 will use dx11!!

toaster5632d ago

Yah it's really aging, but the great part is that it's part of the art style of Warcraft. I probably wouldn't like Warcraft with Crysis level graphics.. it doesn't have the same effect.

Baka-akaB5632d ago

the dated engine got little to do with with the artstyle however ...

With only a portion of today's tech , the game could look closer to its 2d illustration , instead of horses with square hoses ...

captain-obvious5632d ago

it doesn't look like a DirectX 11
at all

digitalivan5632d ago (Edited 5632d ago )

At least Blizzard is a master at making things look pretty with low polygons.

Baka-akaB5632d ago (Edited 5632d ago )

A pity Blizzard didnt use cataclysm as an oportunity to revamp the whole grapics , like Everquest 1 did once upon a time via addon .

The artsyle is clearly great , but held back by the engine . There is a definitive cartoony style there , but here its just blocky and full of rough edges on the models .

It's not as if people didnt have many years to upgrade , even a little bit their setup . It doesnt even need to be a big jump in requirement to make a world of difference here . Hell WoW was already outdated when out in that area ..

They could certainly squeeze more without losing clients , but they clearly refuse to commit to such endeavour . easy money i guess

MegaMohsi5632d ago

I agree to an extent but the graphics aren't terrible. I'm running it on ultra settings, the character models aren't bad, the environments for the most part look great, lighting looks good. Obviously the game wasn't made to be the next Crysis but at the same time they should have upgraded some aspects of the engine (moreso than they did) All in all though combine the graphics/gameplay/content the game is still a win.

Chris3995632d ago

The tree models are 2D cutouts placed across one another, and the older race models with their 10 haircuts/ faces and sausage fingers don't even hold up to Free to Play standards anymore. Nor do they mesh with the newer races at all (where you can tell more care and modern techniques have been used). They get points for artistic design, but the character models are way overdue for an update.

There's some of us who have been playing the game since vanilla and can see past the wizard's curtain that Blizz has going on, then there's the WOW apologists. You don't seem like one of them (and I hope it doesn't seem like I'm attacking you :) ).

The game has some serious balancing issues, a total lack of character customization and graphics that are getting dated by the second. When you're the most successful MMO on the Western market there's no excuse for these issues to persist. I played the Cata beta and cancelled my sub before launch.

I would like to see something more than grind>gear>instance/ pvp tier> rinse/ repeat. It's been the same formula since EQ and I accuse almost all MMO developers of being lazy in this regard. Not to mention that the gear cycles in WOW are getting shorter and shorter. What's the point in working so hard for something that will just be replaced in 3 months. They should be scaling WOW laterally - more quests, titles, options, vanity choices, houses, whatever - instead of just adding ridiculous numbers onto every piece of gear.

Sprudling5632d ago

You cancelled your account because of dated graphics and lack of character customization? (Rhetorical)

Baka-akaB5632d ago

well if he feels it's moe of the same wthout improvements beyond reshaping a land ... and with mmos i know he's interested into looming on the horizon .. i kinda get it .

Sprudling5632d ago

Of course it's more of the same. That's what expansions are :)

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5632d ago
lucifon5632d ago

Why would they ever revamp their whole graphics engine in any significant way? That'd lose them a ridiculous amount of subscribers just so it can look a bit prettier - pointless.

Blizzard do a fantastic job of making stuff look awesome thanks to great art design rather than on a technical level. They always add minor graphical improvements in each expansion which is why the requirements go up ever so slightly, such as the new water in Cata.

JohnnyMann4205632d ago

This is kind of pointless without video. Just my thoughts.

lucifon5632d ago

Comparison images would help too

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60°

World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic Devs Discuss Guild Changes

Game Rant chats with WoW Cataclysm Classic developers about the changes to the guild leveling and perks system originally introduced in Cataclysm.

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gamerant.com
40°

WoW Cataclysm Classic Devs Say Raid Finder Is Unlikely

In an interview with Game Rant, World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic devs discuss the possibility of matchmade raids returning in Cataclysm Classic.

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gamerant.com
90°

World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic to arrive in first half of 2024

The hits keep on coming at BlizzCon 2023 after the announcement of World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic.

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videogamer.com
Gamingsince1981917d ago

The xpac that is still known by the majority of wow players as, the downfall of wow, it did nothing but lose subs from then on but releasing it as classic is good idea ?? Ok

Shane Kim917d ago

Hehe they are just re-releasing the game a second time.

Snookies12915d ago

That's what I've been wondering since they announced Burning Crusade coming to WoW Classic... I was like, so what are they just going to keep releasing expansions for a second time? What the heck is the point in that? It's like something a parody would make fun of. Except, they're actually serious about it.