I’m sorry for not having posts up for the last couple of days – I tend to not be able blog much when I’m actively working a couple days in a row at my job. I was browsing my screenshots last night while talking to Jadiera from Totem Forest - we were comparing our old video cards to the new ones we have now. It’s pretty intense how much better looking World of Warcraft has gotten, especially since I can see it now. I love taking screenshots so this has been a boon to me. But here, take a look at the difference between being on a really rinky-dink home-built computer from seven years ago and brand new computer from last year.
6 Years Ago
This computer could get above minimum graphic settings (which is why it doesn’t look TOO jaggy or untextured) but raiding was a pain in the ass. Talk about 2-4 FPS. From Molten Core to Black Temple, I raided on this video card until I got a hand-me-down upgrade from one of our rogues.
Now:
Sunshafts are the best thing ever, as far as I’m concerned. Warcraft looks amazing now, especially on my gaming rig. I also have a widescreen LCD monitor instead of a clunky (but decent) CRT monitor that took up most of my desk. I haven’t even edited these screenshots like I usually do – I usually do a little layering with some opacity/blending changes to make them “pop.”
But I felt like letting their actual properties shine through was good to see.
It’s really terrible and nerdy but I’ve always loved taking screenshots. I doubt that will ever change. I love documenting everything I do in-game and seeing a progression through people involved, gear or places (with the advent of Cataclysm.)
See you this weekend when I post more of the leveling guide, 4.3 changes to fire, Blizzcon and talking about the legendary staff!
Oh my yes. My only regret is that they never implemented the DirectX11 feature that allowed you to see your own reflection in the water. It was present in Cataclysm alpha/beta.
Besides the sun shafts (which are fantastic), I think one of my favorite drastic environmental changes has been the water. I love to look at it when I fish! I think Blizzard did such a fantastic job with the vanilla zone makeovers; that’s really evident even if you’re using the same computer from WotLK to Cata (like me).
That bottom picture of Loch Modan is just beautiful. It’s a tossup for me as to which I prefer sunshafts or the water. Although I do have a fair few screenshots incorporating both.
Same! The game is really gorgeous even with lower poly count models just because their lighting rigs and reflections are gorgeousssssssssss.
Pingback: Two Weekend Snippets — MMO Melting Pot
Pingback: Then and Now: A Retrospective on the Author | Apple Cider Mage