Warcraft III: Reforged Patch Notes - Version 2.0

[Augustus]

If you look at the first screenshot, the blight looks really odd, unlike the crisp blight from the 4th image.

 

[Retera]

Ah good, now we have three competing art styles to work against. xD

No, there is not a third style. The third style in the promotional images was AI paint over top of the visuals. In game it's just loading classic art files in reforged render context, basically a code change. It's not really a third set of visual model files

If we look at the data in Retera Model Studio there are new MDX files in the HD2 folder, but they are duplicate/repeat of the classic models - except that they read from AI upscale textures. These look much, much more similar to the old classic art than the promotional material which would have you believe someone made new 3D files.

 

[lord_Turin]

The images in question which were on wowhead, but more importantly - on Blizzard's website - were taken down from the Blizzard website.

It seems like Classic HD is a lie.

They are still up in battle.net website

 

[YourArthas]

No, there is not a third style. The third style in the promotional images was AI paint over top of the visuals. In game it's just loading classic art files in reforged render context, basically a code change. It's not really a third set of visual model files

If we look at the data in Retera Model Studio there are new MDX files in the HD2 folder, but they are duplicate/repeat of the classic models - except that they read from AI upscale textures. These look much, much more similar to the old classic art than the promotional material which would have you believe someone made new 3D files.

Have got it confirmed? I had someone mail the press persion but I doubt they’ll get a reply

 

[JMitchy]

I don't think what's shown in the promo images is AI, but they're definitely photoshopped or something at the very least. The in-game "HD" upscaling is definitely AI though, as there are a lot of weird issues and inconsistencies on the in-game textures now. What a shame, gotta say I'm getting tired of being disappointed with every update this game receives.

 

[Augustus]

So the new Reforged terrain looks really nice...for a different game. The cartoony terrain clashes with the realistic Reforged graphics...I don't suppose there's a way to bring back the old reforged terrain? It's worse but at least it's consistent.

The new terrain looks better with Classic models I think...

Also, the terrain in Classic+ is strange...like it's AI generated. I got that feeling in the WC1 and 2 remasters too...They tile badly too, did the old WC1 and 2 graphics have tiling problems that are amplified by remastered? I don't remember it being so...

 

[Macielos]

This code from [Lua] - GetMainSelectedUnit crashes the game now for me:

library GetMainSelectedUnit initializer init_function

    globals
        private framehandle containerFrame
        private framehandle array frames
    endglobals
 
    private function init_functionAt0s takes nothing returns nothing
        local integer i = 0
        local framehandle console = BlzGetFrameByName("ConsoleUI", 0)
        local framehandle bottomUI = BlzFrameGetChild(console, 1)
        local framehandle groupframe = BlzFrameGetChild(bottomUI, 5) // <---- bottomUI has only 4 children now
        local framehandle buttonContainer
        //globals
        set containerFrame = BlzFrameGetChild(groupframe, 0) // <----- leads to crash
        // give this frames a handleId
        loop
            exitwhen i >= BlzFrameGetChildrenCount(containerFrame) - 1
            set buttonContainer = BlzFrameGetChild(containerFrame, i)
            set frames[i] = BlzFrameGetChild(buttonContainer, 0)
            set i = i + 1
        endloop
    endfunction

    private function timerFunction_init_functionAt0s takes nothing returns nothing
        call init_functionAt0s()
        call DestroyTimer(GetExpiredTimer())
    endfunction

    private function init_function takes nothing returns nothing
        call TimerStart(CreateTimer(), 0, false, function timerFunction_init_functionAt0s)
    endfunction
endlibrary

Did the frame hierarchy change?

Apparently so. I'm using this library, just rewritten into LUA by myself, and all my maps kept crashing at the start until I commented it out.

 

[thesteelshark]

Mac

• Fixed an issue preventing Mac users from launching the game.

Tried opening it on my mac, says I need to update it. Which it was. Lame.

 

[Archian]

The images in question which were on wowhead, but more importantly - on Blizzard's website - were taken down from the Blizzard website.

It seems like Classic HD is a lie.

I'm not mad. I'm disappointed.

 

[YourArthas]

I'm not mad. I'm disappointed.

They are still there. Like I said a well respected WoW dataminer contacted press person about them but I don’t expect a reply. Best thing would be a formal post and ticket on Blizzard forums…

 

[Homor]

The fact that fake AI advertising got out there at all is totally unacceptable and portrays a deep lack of care . Totally shameful.

 

[Lukor]

And it turned out to be a flop. Somehow it doesn't surprise me. ehh...

 

[YourArthas]

I just want blizz to confirm Classic HD is not implemented yet and those “ai images” are not fake and what will it look like…

 

[Civil]

As of right now it seems like you can't login to the client with a classic key. Previously you had access to the client if you had old cd keys linked to your battle.net, and Reforged graphics were just disabled. Now it tells me I don't have a license. So that's fun.

 

[Augustus]

Unbelievable. To think Blizzard would stoop so low as to use AI generation....

 

[coconut]

The images in question which were on wowhead, but more importantly - on Blizzard's website - were taken down from the Blizzard website.

It seems like Classic HD is a lie.

Classic HD is alive, same models but minor improvements in textures and lightning

 

[Stefan.K]

So after looking at the "upscaled" textures for the classic models in Retera, this just crossed my mind: Anayel Lunarblade (the upscaled texture on the right model)

The @Nyctaeus actually gave them an idea to make a pretty cheap "upgrade" to the classic models

 

[YourArthas]

Classic HD is alive, same models but minor improvements in textures and lightning

Classic HD they advertise is a lie for now though.

 

[JMitchy]

Classic HD is alive, same models but minor improvements in textures and lightning

But do those textures look anything like what was shown in the promo images? No, not in the slightest.

 

[SpasMaster]

Classic HD is alive, same models but minor improvements in textures and lightning

You must have not seen these images:


These were published on Blizzard's website and then they were taken down.
What we see there is actually quite cool. But not to be found in game and well... nor on Blizzard's website anymore.

 

[Homor]

You must have not seen these images:
View attachment 496873

These were published on Blizzard's website and then they were taken down.
What we see there is actually quite cool. But not to be found in game and well... nor on Blizzard's website anymore.

They're still on the Battlenet page.

 

[Dr Super Good]

Well I was right about them working on the melee with new features and content. I would not be surprised if more melee stuff is added over the coming months or years.

I was wrong about a melee DLC though. Maybe that is a plan for later...

 

[Augustus]

I tested some custom campaigns for Reforged. The results are...mixed. I'm not going to post screenshots just in case the devs want to do so first.

 

[Augustus]

Well...the fact that they got rid of the old Reforged graphics now means the cartoony terrain clashes with the realistic art style of reforged. A lot of careful custom terrainbuilding was ruined imo.

 

[coconut]

You must have not seen these images:
View attachment 496873

These were published on Blizzard's website and then they were taken down.
What we see there is actually quite cool. But not to be found in game and well... nor on Blizzard's website anymore.

 

[coconut]

^ reforged low/highest and classic in attachments ^

 

[Chaosium]

Performances with HD graphics are terrible on my end even though I was playing the Rexarr campaign yesterday (which botched my save btw oh well)

Got some 30 ish FPS on average and a micro freeze every 5 seconds, it's unbearable, even after lowering the settings. Ugh ._.

 

[Nichilus]

This update seems quite hopeful to me.
On one hand I am a bit sad about the changelog, since I've expected more profound changes when major version has been changed.
On the other hand, if releasing version 2.0 means Blizzard got serious about reworking/fixing Reforged and has a dedicated team that will work on it, then I am happy.

But I will be very disappointed if this is just another "here are some breaking changes, see you in the next 4 years" thing.

Right now, these changes seems to be related to the game's engine, I imagine to make it more stable.
I am not really excited about how the new hd ground textures look (I miss the depth), but there could be a technical reason to do that - like things that help with performance/stability.
I like that they reverted to good ol' WCIII menu instead of the one that came with Reforged.

A bit strange thing when it comes to Map Editor is that you can choose to display the original HD graphics by unchecking all checkboxes beneath Asset Mode in Preferences - I would've expected this to work the other way

For some reason in map selection menu in the game I can see duplicate maps. One crashes lobby while other worked fine, but visually they had same name, map, icons, etc., so it is hard to distinguish which is working and which not.

 

[emperor_d3st]

I don't like it.
This entire Warcraft III 2.0 must be purged.

 

[Macielos]

More observations:
1. I think they reduced max rendering distance, so with max zoom out using alpha tiles means doodads far below level zero are cut off.

2. Non-embedded portraits are screwed up. When selecting a custom unit/building with a separate portrait, an original's portrait is displayed.

 

[SpasMaster]

^ reforged low/highest and classic in attachments ^

Yes? Precisely. What you are showing is not what shown in the images I am talking about. Did you check what I circled in my previous post? Here, let me try to make it more clear, because you either ignored the "false advertising" images, or you are somehow not spotting the difference:

 

[Venombite]

Strangely enough, those promo screenshots do not look like AI generated. They look like assets from Warcraft Rumble.

 

[Lizreu]

please observe

well actually no, things happened

what a shitty patch

the huffing of copium continues

 

[FeelsGoodMan]

Strangely enough, those promo screenshots do not look like AI generated. They look like assets from Warcraft Rumble.

They don't look AI generated, but they aren't real in-game screenshots either. Just look at the shadows for example, the promo pics have the same shitty shadows as SD (just boxes and circles), while the classic HD assets we have access to currently have actual ambient occlusion.

 

[FallenStar]

Reforged Environments

• All Reforged Terrian Art has been updated for all environments.
• Various Tree Doodads have been updated to reflect the environment changes.
• Foliage is disabled by default.

Anyway to revert this to the old Reforged graphics?
...

 

[JMitchy]

They don't look AI generated, but they aren't real in-game screenshots either. Just look at the shadows for example, the promo pics have the same shitty shadows as SD (just boxes and circles), while the classic HD assets we have access to currently have actual ambient occlusion.

This. They look more like proof-of-concept images rather than legitimate screenshots.

 

[Kacpa2]

Well, I'm glad they didn't forget about the game and were even able to show this update on the stream with some pride.
But I was confused by the fact that they strangely IMPROVED the detailing of the landscape in the reforge graphics.
It's especially strange how these textures, which are literally cartoonish, don't go well with the graphic models from the reforge.

That was the problem from the very start and "graphic" models are to blame, because Brian Sousa was a dingus.
That aside, am quite pleased with Classic HD remaster, it's not without it's issues, but over all i like how cohesive and 'handdrawn' it looks, whether or not AI/neural networks were used during the process, doesnt really concern me too much. It does look pleasing and is far closer to original than Reforged's misguided mess ever was.

I especially like ground textures and how they seemingly sorted out most texture wrapping issues on existing models, but to be sure i will have to get a closer look once i have access to it. My only problem judging by the gameplay stills is how human buildings look. They do stray away from original details and texture work and seem to ape Reforged models' details rather than redrawing the original texture. I also like how to does have some tastefully and sparcely used reflections instead of grimey and disgusting shine that everything on every unit that had anything metal on it did.

Only think i see so far is the Lamp post doodad in Human gameplay still and it's just nice bit of in-offensive shine for the eyes, while rest of hte scene is correctly matte and drawn.

If i were to nitpick it, then texturing is a bit light of shading/linework that original textures have, especially on buildings, it should be there a bit more pronounced especially on teamcoloured rooftiles and alike. It's a minor gripe however. Over all it is pleasant and surprisingly consisted. Like a high quality fan hd texture pack. I would do a bit more personally, but they probably were quite limited. I'm still glad for what we got, especially menu and ui changes if it brought back most of what Reforged robbed us off.

if this was the Remaster we got announced in 2018 and received as definitive version of the game i wouldnt be displeased at all, especially in comparison to utter ruin that Reforged was. Key art being based on Samwise's artworks is nice too, new character art associated with them even if it's a bit needlessly based on RF and movie designs(Grom from Warcraft film) are ....pleasant to look at, which what i always wanted. Obviously classic HD will be on original models and animations so it will look right in that department too.

I just wish it did supplant 2020 Reforged as definitive and main version, shown on the store and in gameplay, while leaving access to 2020 Reforged Hd content as options. It never deserved to be "definitive" way the game looked. I am also unsure how the pricing situation is. Given it's a bundle it might remain at price Reforged was offered at or more, i hope they do sell it at appropriate price that isnt needlessly high.

I am very pleased by the UI being atleast partly restored to how it was, the menu being on the correct side of the screen, borderrails it had, garnish from old Battlenet "gate" on the menu ui, scorescreen more like the original game with Samwise's art back on there. Is it everything i and many others wanter? No. Is it bad for it? Also no, its actually good so far. I hope they keep working out the issues and problems and undo as much damage done by Sousa's stupidity and Blizzard's cost and corner cutting(webui menues) as possible.

If i have time i will take a closer look and see if i have more to say.

 

[Kacpa2]

This. They look more like proof-of-concept images rather than legitimate screenshots.

Seem like so, i also think have found the proof they might be AI touchups. Look at the water in the human screenshot. Grass under the water is original Wc3 lordaeron grass and grass above water is the pastely AI rework.
Exhibit 1: SusScreenshot1.png

We might have been bamboozled...

 

[Sindobato]

Its interesting for a game with many units and high poly models their solution is to remove foliage xD

 

[Blahblah_Blagar]

So... When is that class action lawsuit against false advertising happening?

 

[Augustus]

Seem like so, i also think have found the proof they might be AI touchups. Look at the water in the human screenshot. Grass under the water is original Wc3 lordaeron grass and grass above water is the pastely rework.
View attachment 496895

We might have been bamboozled.

Isn't this false advertising and therefore illegal?

 

[BuuFuu]

i have a really hard bug, i updated the game , started it but i cant quit the game my options are empty , i cant start a map .

 

[Wrda]

View attachment 496868

Yup same here <.<

I get this error too. also 2:5 sometimes. And sometimes it tells me i don't have a valid license... while I have my cd-keys for years and years, and redeemed the code on my account.

 

[Chaosium]

I get this error too. also 2:5 sometimes. And sometimes it tells me i don't have a valid license... while I have my cd-keys for years and years, and redeemed the code on my account.

The error went away on my end, although I had an "invalid password" pop up during gameplay lols, it's certainly interesting

 

[Lizreu]

 

[BigJeep]

I think the images are AI. The footmen look different in the 1st and 4th images, especially if you look at the shoulder pads of the one in the first image, and I might be being picky on this one but the Abomination's small hand looks different in these too

 

[Wrda]

I guess I am on a review hiatus for a moment. Good holidays for me.

 

[Guldansupremacy]

The game is UNPLAYABLE. Every time I zoom out, the FPS drops to 30-40 FPS, and this is not a problem with my PC. When I switch to the classic version (even in Reforged), this issue persists. However, when I switch to the true classic version, the FPS issue goes away. Does anyone know how to fix this????

 

[Nortander]

I'm not gonna lie: this is a huge disappointment to me...

I would I loved any of three things:

• a total redoing of Reforged - as they themselves admitted it needed fixing,
• a Warcraft IV/ new campaigns or races,
• a reedition of Warcraft I and II with REFORGED designs, not 2D.

I feel robbed. The 30 years anniversary as a whole seemed really shallow with very few meaningful additions.
Oh, and let's not even mention Heroes of the Storm, because obviously they did not either... :'(

 

[Strategy Master]

I haven't bought reforged but now locked out entirely from war3 unless you own reforged. Previously 1.36.2 was accessible to classic war3 owners. Hope its just a bug!

UPDATE: Its being worked on: x.com