As set to launch later this month, Nixxes Software program has unveiled new technical details on its approach to enhance and revamp the 2017 title in a PlayStation Blog post, highlighting innovative methods used to boost gameplay performance.
Gamers can expect a significantly more dense and lush environment, with an abundance of vegetation and foliage throughout the game’s world, as announced by the studio. Although initially a key aspect, it appears that Nixxes Software has strived to match the same level of excellence in this regard with their 2022 sequel.
“To achieve the same level of quality seen in the original,” said senior environment artist Patrick Blankenzee, “we upgraded our shaders, textures, geometry and foliage interactions to deliver a seamless remaster.” “We thoroughly evaluated every aspect of our foliage offerings, then upgraded them with a comprehensive range of innovative features.” We completed work on numerous types of vegetation, including bushes, flowers, and foliage.
“We compared the biomes within our novel game with those depicted in concept art.” By pinpointing areas ripe for enhancement, we successfully bridged the gap between our original vision and the desired outcome, as exemplified by the rainforest biome’s remarkable transformation. By leveraging advanced process expertise, we successfully implemented a strategy that led to a significant increase in foliage coverage and density, setting a new benchmark for excellence. The riverbanks have undergone enhancements to restore their natural habitats and achieve a higher level of biodiversity, closely mirroring the vision depicted in the conceptual artwork.
Collaborating with the innovative team at Guerrilla Games, Julian Hofmann noted that he was able to pose questions freely., evaluate their latest work alongside our ongoing remastering project These specific objectives guided our efforts, much like the precise growth patterns of moss in modern times.
“For me, the foliage updates inject a palpable energy into the game, elevating its realism to match the exceptionally high standards set by the series.” The outcome creates a cohesive universe suitable for reliving or experiencing anew.
Nixxes Software has excelled in crafting nuanced non-player characters (NPCs), particularly in their realistic behavior. Gamers can expect cities, cities, and settlements to become more densely populated, as urban areas burst with vitality, while non-player characters (NPCs) exhibit unprecedented purity of action, imbuing the world with an uncanny sense of life-like authenticity.
According to senior technical sport designer Brian van Nunen, the team reviewed all villages, outposts, and cities, identifying areas where they could realistically enhance and boost immersion. Developing the game for PS5 enabled our team to effectively utilize the console’s enhanced memory capabilities, thereby permitting a substantial boost in the number of non-player characters we could create. With the introduction of numerous additional locations, NPCs now have a wealth of opportunities to engage in everyday activities such as facing various scenarios, sitting, working, and fulfilling their desires. We provided them with diverse timetables to enhance momentum and vibrancy across various regions. We experimented with creative ways to leverage existing animations.
The natural surroundings have evolved to match the same level of sophistication as the structures, features, and landscapes they inhabit.
Sander Bronkhorst, a senior technical artist, noted that their initial step was to replace all existing terrain supplies with their updated versions. “As a precursor to the sequel’s development, this initial step was necessary due to inconsistencies in the supplied terrain assets not fully aligning with the desired aesthetic.” We meticulously refined each individual terrain material to harmoniously align with the distinct game’s ambiance and aesthetic, while maintaining a consistent visual integrity throughout.
“Notably, our updates encompassed revamped terrain textures as well as a range of new features, including deformable snow and sand options.” The remastered version of Snow Deformation is now accessible outside its initial introduction in the game’s expansion.
Bronkhorst noted that they executed a distinct operation on each man-made Constructing Block, generating novel, high-definition geometric data sets for structures that will benefit significantly from this endeavor. The team found that incorporating more precise geometric details significantly enhanced building realism, particularly when compared to traditional practices of applying brick-like textures to walls without accurately reflecting the individual brick shapes in the underlying geometry.
To effectively manage this challenge, our team designed bespoke tools capable of generating exceptionally precise spatial data for these structures. The artists employed these instruments to generate novel geometric formations, subsequently refining each component by hand to produce a visually stunning outcome.
The remastered game will boast over 10 hours of newly recorded conversation animations, as well as upgraded lighting effects. Discover more about that through this link.
Releases on October 31 for PlayStation 5 and PC.
