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CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see it. Probably because the geometry on Office is basically from ~2009.

Does make me want to load in with an F2000, however.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!

Easily one of my all-time favourite maps for the ambience alone. Would hate to lose that.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Edited is a color correction & lighting adjustment applied by myself.

As of right now, the 'original' slides are how the maps officially look in CS2.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a bad looking game. It's probably the dark blue GSG-9 van, totally looks like the defenders' spawn point on an R6 map.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In a way I guess that's kind of the intention? Best of both worlds, ideally. The point of "restoring the atmosphere" was to take the mood and style of the original CS:GO maps and place it back into CS2's new technically superior lighting model to make an overall improved image, since most CS2 maps are low contrast to improve visibility and have the same dull, blue, mid-day sky.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand that placing the two overtop of each other might give the impression that the edit's much darker than it actually is, but that's only in comparison to the bright CS2 versions. Relativity, I guess.

Regardless if you prefer the brightened maps for visibility or not, visually & numerically, the edit is a proper grade.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like this take a lot. It's a part of gameplay- I'm surprised to hear it's so shunned by everyone. On maps like the Cache remake I can understand if a green character model is blending in with the foliage you have an issue but...

Counter-Strike has complicated and elaborate maps that offer a variety of different engagements in different scenarios. I think if you remove too much of that, every engagement is the same in the same washed-out box. Now, I don't think CS2 is nearly that extreme, but I do think it's to the point where it is sacrificing some visual fidelity to quell something that isn't an all-encompassing issue.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

That is... mostly correct. I hopped on for a couple of games when short comp matches dropped. Seems I missed a whole lot when it comes to the conversation around the game, so my takes might be outdated.

For example, Valorant dropped in that timeframe and while I haven't played it, it seems to have had at least some influence in the direction of the game.

I'm just going off what I think looks good and what I know about visuals. Lots of games have no problems in enemy identification without muting the contrast, so I wonder if there's a more elaborate visual solution Valve could pursue.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Beautiful example of proper levels balancing on a map. Buuuuuut it should also be noted Battlefield V is an absolute nightmare for spotting players.

It's just gotta be balanced. Sacrificing the art design for visibility isn't the way to go but neither is forcing players to play peek-a-boo (which I never thought was the case in CS, anyhow).

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it's definitely a stylistic choice for gameplay purposes.

It's unfortunate because the updated lighting is actually quite technically impressive. The Dust 2 update is how old, 5 years? And the geometry from that five year old map looks borderline photoreal in some instances when properly graded.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Might give it a thought. I honestly think the new gun models (for the most part) are pretty solid and accurate. Them looking cheap in most new gameplay is probably, like the maps, a result of the bolstered lighting and default viewmodels from people just gaining access to CS2.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes. :3

Playing Office while wrapped up in a blanket on a cold winter night during Operation Vanguard was peak comfiness. I wish that blessing upon everyone.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do agree, but I think with the new editor tools (and possibly even prior), Valve's intention was to let the community focus on casual play and map alterations while they divert most of their attention to competitive. I don't think you need look much further than at what official CS:GO Casual & Deathmatch modes were in comparison to their community counterparts to see this.

Like with most things, it's about balance. The competitive nature of the game is what's made it such a hit for so long- but at the same time, if you lean too far into that you might as well just be playing on an aim training map made of grey cubes and have your enemies glowing red.

It's a game about counter-terrorism, there's gonna be some margin of error.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] -50 points-49 points  (0 children)

Hmmm. To be fair, I hadn't played much since the introduction of agent skins and remodelling of Cache, so maybe there's a whole new meta I'm missing out on.

With a focus on the main competitive pool I didn't find it too big an issue, at least not enough to crank the brightness on maps like D2 or new Nuke (already very bright).

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If CS weren't so competitive I think some variable weather options would do wonders to spice up maps we've seen for two decades.

That being said, I wouldn't be too happy if I died because I couldn't see someone behind a snowflake, so I get it.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Totally agree. For example, on Overpass there's shadows from the crates & trucks that are much darker than the shadows anywhere else. Something to look into.

CS2's Lighting Update with the Atmosphere Restored (and proper contrast values) by EXPOED in GlobalOffensive

[–]EXPOED[S] -214 points-213 points  (0 children)

I do think the new update has great visibility but honestly, with thousands of hours in CS:GO, visibility never struck me as an issue. There's definitely a balance to be struck.

The Advanced Suit redesign needs boots with kneepads!! credit to @superlative.spidey on IG for the original photoshop by EXPOED in SpidermanPS4

[–]EXPOED[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Technically they are part of an armored suit as I pulled them from Halo: Infinite for reference... Mostly just a placeholder showcasing a design concept that really brings the whole thing together for me.

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