Duke Nukem Forever : Saturation Enhancement

[trucedAnimal]

i voted yes event though i think the "fixed" versions are too colorful. Something inbetween would be nice.

And i agree that this would not be much work for the developers. you dont even have to change the skins. just add a grafic filter. that would be enough for me.
maybe the user can set the saturation and contrast in the options. i never understood why its limited to gamma correction in most games.

i probably would have voted no if this was about any ather game than DNF. the ironic thing about this is that the desaturated darkness actually makes sense for Duke since he sees everything though his dark shades.

[KaiserSoze]

Indifferent at the moment until I see more of the game.

Though I do have concerns with the washed out colors in the screens/teaser trailer.

Alas, it could all be about "tone" for the game though so back to indifferent...for the time being...

[Kalki]

For me, the washed out look in the teaser was a contrast adjustment issue. I personally thought somebody brightened it up to show more details. It looks tons better when you up the contrast and I like it. Those sort of issues are generally resolvable in game or else the graphics card software could do it.

We would indeed have to see more of the game. The over the top approach isn't what it used to be. We don't know how the characters would look in the brighter lights of Vegas. Saturation enhancement may not help when the assault trooper's bathed in purple/pink light. Games before this have been criticized for being too colorful.

[X-Vector]

Which games are you thinking of, Serious Sam 2, Precursors?

[Kalki]

SS2 yes and Quake 3 arena

[X-Vector]

IMO the visuals match the environments and gameplay in both cases, although I can see why people would consider SS2 over the top.
I've always been fine with Quake 3 though, in fact I think it's the other Quakes that are inappropriately dark for the sort of (multiplayer) gameplay that relies for a large part on aiming skill and quick reflexes.

As for more current games based on UE3 or similar technology, I'm really interested in seeing properly sized Aliens: CM shots, because the banner screens suggest this may be the first one to have some of the vibrancy that I'm looking for (unlike the latest disappointing addition to the canon of DNF screensnippets).

[trackit]

I think the best way is to let adjust game contrast and color saturation in graphic options menu, like many games offer. This way everybody can be happy...

[Kalki]

Originally Posted by X-Vector

I've always been fine with Quake 3 though, in fact I think it's the other Quakes that are inappropriately dark for the sort of (multiplayer) gameplay that relies for a large part on aiming skill and quick reflexes.

I agree, but that didn't stop the criticism. People prefer their action entertainment generally be dark, intense and moody. I can't blame them since Q3A in a way didn't live up to its predecessors in that respect- they liked the darker, monochrome multiplayer gameplay.

As for more current games based on UE3 or similar technology, I'm really interested in seeing properly sized Aliens: CM shots, because the banner screens suggest this may be the first one to have some of the vibrancy that I'm looking for (unlike the latest disappointing addition to the canon of DNF screensnippets).

Actually, I disagree with that simply because it looks too vibrant for something pertaining to the Aliens franchise. But let's leave that discussion for the right thread.

With DNF, I think the color levels should reflect the environments. Starts out bright and glittering as Vegas needs to be at night but as we progress and the conflict escalates, the game lives up to Duke's name and makes Vegas look more and more post-apocalyptic. By the time dawn breaks, everything is desert.

[mysteryperfecta]

I'm not entirely sure that it's fair to judge the look of DNF based on what we've seen, but I do want a colorful game. This latest creature revealed definately seems to be paler than it's former incarnation.

I liked NOLF2's colorful look-- vibrant without being too cartoony.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Kalki

For me, the washed out look in the teaser was a contrast adjustment issue. I personally thought somebody brightened it up to show more details. It looks tons better when you up the contrast and I like it.

After checking out my background here (my monitor is a tad darker then average) I think I have to agree with this. With the contrast tweaked it looks a lot better.

[Altered Reality]

Original cycloid: "Wow, this is cool!"
Doctored cycloid: "Damn, something's wrong with my monitor!"

Original Duke from the teaser: "Holy crap, is that a 3D model or an actor?"
Doctored Duke from the teaser: "Meh. Someone snapped a pic of his Duke action figure."

Doctored Duke3D pic: "Here's some nostalgic who will pretend DNF never came out."
Original Duke3D pic: "Classic."

[RedSplat]

Crap "fixed" screenshots. Ridiculous attempt.
Colors are more than fine.
I like the overall look of things they've shown so far.

[Malgon]

So what sorts of games do people have in mind when it comes to nice vibrant colours, (but obviously not over the top)? HL 2, NOLF2, Prey, Bioshock? What do you guys think?

[rockmanekuzu8]

Originally Posted by KaiserSoze

Indifferent at the moment until I see more of the game.

Though I do have concerns with the washed out colors in the screens/teaser trailer.

Alas, it could all be about "tone" for the game though so back to indifferent...for the time being...

Agreed dude I chose Indifferent as well, we have not seen much of the game yet. It's a little early to say beef up the colors or something along the lines as that etc.

Originally Posted by Kalki

For me, the washed out look in the teaser was a contrast adjustment issue. I personally thought somebody brightened it up to show more details. It looks tons better when you up the contrast and I like it. Those sort of issues are generally resolvable in game or else the graphics card software could do it.

We would indeed have to see more of the game. The over the top approach isn't what it used to be. We don't know how the characters would look in the brighter lights of Vegas. Saturation enhancement may not help when the assault trooper's bathed in purple/pink light. Games before this have been criticized for being too colorful.

Couldn't agree more, well said as well.

[J.P.]

I'm not sure about all this Saturation Enhancement development; but I must profess that I am indeed concerned about the preservation of the original 3drealms aesthetic which contained a certain richness of atmosphere and color. It seems that technological advancements have yet to turn full-circle and incorporate aesthetic touches to complement the programming; this is at least perhaps the case with other titles.
Historically, I know of only one company that capitalized on existing technology to maximize, no, revolutionize(push the limits) of the respective genre.

The teaser did provide a brief glimpse of the phenomenon that I consider to culminate the Realms aesthetic. Although, twas a bit blurry(you know the one). Lots of busy-ness, with beautifully contrasted texture and color set against the urban landscape, the environment itself is Alive. Very LA Meltdown-esque, if you will.

I've got to stop editing this

[X-Vector]

Originally Posted by Malgon

So what sorts of games do people have in mind when it comes to nice vibrant colours, (but obviously not over the top)? HL 2, NOLF2, Prey, Bioshock? What do you guys think?

HL2 and NOLF2 yes, Bioshock and Prey no.

Simple answer: '99-'01 era DNF.

More realistic answer: Halo 3, The Force Unleashed, GTA IV, Mass Effect, Alan Wake, perhaps Aliens: Colonial Marines.
I've limited the list to action games that take the middle ground between the dry realistic approach (Crysis) and what is considered as cartoony (TF2), because that's where I believe DNF should ideally be situated.

Honourable mention goes to Welcome to Vegas; add some touches of grit and darkness and you're not far off.

[Haravikk]

I don't like the red-eyes on the Octobrain/Assault-Trooper, however the improved colouring of the rest of the image does look a lot better IMO. Can you post one without the red eyes?

I do however not like how the new assault-trooper looks at all but that's beside the point.

[fast-1]

Play classic doom mode for Doom 3 then you get better colour. The game might be colourful when released.

[Commando Nukem]

Originally Posted by fast-1

Play classic doom mode for Doom 3 then you get better colour.

All I had to do was adjust the skins and a few textures to include non-drained coloration. No big deal.

Originally Posted by fast-1

The game might be colourful when released.

Then again it may not. It doesn't hurt to raise the issue for discussion, and potentially bring it to 3DRs attention. Its just my passing thoughts on the issue and its not meant as an insult to them or anyone else. They did a terrific job, and even with things the way they are color wise, the game will no doubt look fantastic and be one hell of a blast.

[madhatter man]

If it looks as good as Gears of war then I'm ok.

[Micki!]

Originally Posted by madhatter man

If it looks as good as Gears of war then I'm ok.

Were talking about colors, and then out of all colorful games in this world, you mention one of the greyest of them all..?

[KaiserSoze]

Black and white mode ftw!

[peoplessi]

Somewhere between the fixed and the originals I'd see it being the best. Although, we don't really know nothing until the game is on our own machines

[Kristian Joensen]

Originally Posted by KaiserSoze

Black and white mode ftw!

That is probably easy as hell to do in a shader.

[Danule]

dude... those are soooo over saturated, they look awful... im sorry man.

[Danule]

though i must say, i do want red eyes on the enemies.

[Micki!]

I gave it red eyes too

It does help a little with the origianl Octabrains looks... But the white eyes make it look sorta creepier...

I'd like to see any of either in game... I wouldn't really be bothered by then

[Danule]

i think the pig cops should have red eyes, that glow in the dark, so in some dark alleyway you can see them stareing at you or something. it would be sweet.

[Duke's New Chainsaw]

You mean like in Duke3D?

[Duke's New Chainsaw]

Originally Posted by Micki!

But the white eyes make it look sorta creepier...

Yeah, it does.

[oak man]

I don't exactly know what you meant by "Fixed" No! No enhancement, it makes everything
look nasty

I like the way it looks, it looks more gritty, more duke with out the enhancement. If this is implemented, it should be user controlled, and not forced into the game.

[Teron]

I also noticed the trend to "grey-skins" and I think it really depends on the style of the new Duke game, which will be better:

- scary/horror or more shocking - grey goes all fine
- funny/ more "friendly" environment like a city - colors will do great

I voted yes, because I like the fixed Duke pictures but not the Cycloid pic.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Teron

I voted yes, because I like the fixed Duke pictures but not the Cycloid pic.

I did the same. Also,

Originally Posted by Teron

I also noticed the trend to "grey-skins" and I think it really depends on the style of the new Duke game, which will be better:

- scary/horror or more shocking - grey goes all fine
- funny/ more "friendly" environment like a city - colors will do great

Yeah, I think if it fits the theme of the new Duke, then the color might be fine.

[madhatter man]

Originally Posted by Micki!

Were talking about colors, and then out of all colorful games in this world, you mention one of the greyest of them all..?

I dont want a Tim burton inspired Duke Nukem game, Might be one of the greyest but its one of the best.

[Betelgeuse]

i clicked "no", it seems like a few people are kind of exaggerating the darkness of the dnf screens, it doesn't look that bad imo, and im not too keen on the fixed DNF images.

but watever.

[peoplessi]

Also, we don't know how much staged these shots are.

[Delicieuxz]

Originally Posted by Betelgeuse

i clicked "no", it seems like a few people are kind of exaggerating the darkness of the dnf screens, it doesn't look that bad imo, and im not too keen on the fixed DNF images.

but watever.

If you voted for colour enhancement you wouldn't be specifically voting for the colour of the mock-ups provided in this thread, but you'd be voting for richer colour than what's in the official trailer in general. The mock-ups don't perfectly display how non-washed-out colour would look, they just maybe help you think about it.

[MeatWagon]

The thing is, the desaturation your seeing is a side effect of dynamic lighting and normal maps. Theres not a lot they can do short of chucking all the textures back into photoshop to tweak more, but that would take a long time. I suppose they could also mess around with the colour of the specular maps but even then I don't know how much of a difference it would make

[Betelgeuse]

Originally Posted by Delicieuxz

If you voted for colour enhancement you wouldn't be specifically voting for the colour of the mock-ups provided in this thread, but you'd be voting for richer colour than what's in the official trailer in general. The mock-ups don't perfectly display how non-washed-out colour would look, they just maybe help you think about it.

yeah i understand that, as a few have said it's hard to tell at this stage as we have only seen a few tidbits of the game, but really, i just don't think it seems necessary too make a change like that from what has been seen... bah! we need trailerzzz!!! of the gameplay kind!

[lofty]

Yep i'll go for some colour,however not as much as say grandtheft auto Vice city.(first island)