Today i started up the game and notified that there was an update/hotfix. First the setup for screen size came up and then in the game i noticed that it looks very blurry and bloomy, too much color and ugly. I checked in the dashboard the installed game data and saw that the Auto-HDR function is gone. What happened? Game is hurting my eyes playing without HDR mode.
Deleted, cleared the cache and re-installed the game and found out it is consistent.
I grabbed your ticket, just waiting for some devs to start for the day to follow up.
There was an update to some backend XBOX data yesterday, which is why there was no post about it as it was my understanding it would not affect the game itself - it’s not an update or hotfix to the game.
Yes, it appears this option has been removed.
Why?
Prior to this data update, Microsoft added Auto-HDR to Gems of War as Gems of War was released before this was a feature. So it was not something we had needed to included in our own data, as it already existed as a feature (that’s a TLDR)
Since updating, Microsoft has seen this as basically like a new update, so this Auto-HDR that was retroactively applied, no longer does.
We are currently navigating how we get it back into GoW but there is limitations in Unity and with how Gems of War is made - which, is no short feat to rectify with that in mind.
In the meantime, if you are seeing washed out graphics you can go to your Console Settings > General > TC & Display Options > Run both the “Calibrate TV” AND “Calibrate HDR for Games” options. This should then adjust these visuals, and your game will look like how we are seeing it and how it displays on all other platforms - may not apply to all tvs
As a further note about why we did this update…
Gems of War being now 10 years old, was originally developed on what is now an obsolete XBOX Dev SDK - so we can continue supporting Gems of War, we needed to migrate to the newer SDK.
The goal was for this to be seamless, but obviously some things fell through.
Unfortunately your fix doesn’t work. My Series S currently is hooked up to a TV without HDR, as it was before the update. And colours are different than they used to be, even after reset.
My Series X is connected to a TV that can do everything you can imagine, but not recreate the visuals before the update.
Switching consoles between TVs doesn’t help either. So please fix this asap …
Unless Unity magically has an update that adds Auto-HDR as a feature, then we are waiting to see if we can added into the base game data ourselves - and again, due to these Unity limitations and how Gems of War is developed, this will not be resolved quickly.
Again. We are trying to see if there is a way to get this resolved sooner without needing to go through the above options.
Again. Even going through the above options doesn’t change anything back.
Sooo. Again. I’m aware that this is no easy task for those trying to solve the issue. BUT. Please hire someone that is capable to do the job properly. No offense, but people like me put a lot of money, time and effort into this game. It’s just fair to expect the same from those responsible for it. Or am I in the wrong here?
Maybe I am. Coming from a major business background that’s much bigger than IP2 and 505 combined, I’m used to things running smoothly or replacing those in charge immediately until everything works fine again …
Nonetheless I’m looking forward to some changes in time. Until then I’ll see where I can put a few 1000 bucks into over the next years in case these changes aren’t reversible. Thx for your time, patience and attention.
Edit: When streaming from the exact same consoles to a mobile device, colours seem to be ok. Don’t know if that helps.
It will not look the same as before, as Auto-HDR no longer doesn’t exist.
The steps shared as mentioned are how to get the visuals to appear as intended. HDR is also commonly usually disabled when streaming to mobiles, and your phone settings are different to your TV settings. You are viewing it on a mobile, so it will appear normally.
There is likely a setting on your TV itself, that is affecting how GOW is now displaying now that Auto HDR does not exist, if you had no issues completing both the callibrations.
Hayabusa, I just put my tv on its brightest setting, vivid. The game looks fine now. The problem is its TOO vivid. With how much we play the game, I dont think maxing hardware is good for this particular case scenario. I can tweak the settings, but flipping between other media’s fidelity, would get tiresome. Too bad the hdr is borked. Im not running my Tv maxed for this game. Ok, I tried another visual mode hdr effect. Its looking amazing. Hopefully this gets resolved soon.
First of all thank you @Jeto for your engagement and quick response.
To make things clear:
From Microsoft side the Auto-HDR still exists - it’s available for all other SD games in my library and also recently added from MS as an extra feature in consoles main visual settings. Game wise only your game lost this function in game data overview.
I always aprecciate some helpful round-ups to solve a problem meanwhile otherwise, but i already expected an ridiculous answer such like just changing my tv settings. NO, absolutely not. Why should i always change my tv settings only for playing your buggy little puzzle game without getting blind when all the hundreds of other games in my library are working absolute perfectly fine with my (one) actual tv setting? Don’t get me wrong here but i rather stop playing your game then adjusting continously my tv every time i want to play it. Congratulations for losing another whale if so.
Finally how hard can it be for your game studio to contact MS just to bring back the Auto-HDR feature for your game? How hard is it to implement an HDR option ingame by yourself?
