Dust particles in the air in games, do they annoy anyone?

[PlanetJosh]

So I see the dust particles in Tomb Raider 2013 and in Just Cause 3 to name two. And wondered if they bother anyone else. Some comments on the net praise them saying the graphics are so detailed you can even see the dust in the air.

In Tomb Raider (2013), and perhaps they are in the lastest sequel of it too, they seem on the verge of interfering with the view. And in some areas in Just Cause 3 it almost looks like a light snow on a summer's day. A little out of place. Oh and Far Cry 4 has some light to heavy dust particles too in some sunny areas but not all. And it also looks looks kind of like snow where it shouldn't be.

If this whole thing sounds petty well I'm a graphics enthusiast.

 

[CountZero]

They make sense a lot of times.

I haven't played Tomb Raider but if you disturb an area that has been undisturbed for a long time you will get lots of dust, it can convey just how old an area is. Or conversely if some kind of stone structure has fallen onto the ground dust will be everywhere.

I didn't even notice it on JC3 so I guess it didn't bother me there.

I am not wowed by them but I think they have their place and they haven't bothered me at all...yet

 

[sxr7171]

How about that snow in The Division? Annoyance or weather effect?

 

[rivethead]

It's a complaint in Star Citizen (how can there be dust in space?). But the devs are purposely using it to give a pilot an indication of speed and vector in the blackness of space.

 

[BSim500]

So I see the dust particles in Tomb Raider 2013 and in Just Cause 3 to name two. And wondered if they bother anyone else.

A lot of such effects suffer from the same thing : Done well they can look really good. Problem is, it's rare that devs do any effects well without ludicrously over-exaggerating them. Hence "Depth of Severe Myopia", "Waddling penguin with a gammy leg" head bob or the current trend of "radiant glowing thick indoor fog with Godrays shooting off from simple low-wattage internal lighting that give a lower indoor view distance with the lights on than off", etc. The best games will have individual toggles to turn off a lot of these (cough) "enhancements". Some of those that don't can often have .ini files tweaked to at least reduce the effects.

 

[hondaf17]

How about that snow in The Division? Annoyance or weather effect?

Annoying. Can hardly see anything. Need to pulse to identify enemies to shoot.

 

[magomago]

It's a complaint in Star Citizen (how can there be dust in space?). But the devs are purposely using it to give a pilot an indication of speed and vector in the blackness of space.

I thought cosmic dust was everywhere, its just small as hell? Especially at/near solar systems. I think interstellar space might be the closest to being empty...but there is a reason its empty.

This link gives some info, but I ain't no expert on none o' dis:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0403/resources_who.html

 

[Scooby Doo]

It's a complaint in Star Citizen (how can there be dust in space?). But the devs are purposely using it to give a pilot an indication of speed and vector in the blackness of space.

Wing Commander and Freespace both had dust. It helped give a sense of speed and direction change.

 

[Zenoth]

It's not as annoying as depth of field, or motion blur, exaggerated bloom or 'God Rays' (which I always turn off whenever possible). I truly don't mind much about particle effects (in the air, in water, wherever) as long as it contributes to the atmosphere and visual / art style.

A recent and good enough example would be No Man's Sky. By looking at the multiple video previews, it looks like on most planets' surface there seems to be some particles floating and moving about in the air from time to time (be it dust, short grass blades, flower petals, leafs, or just "stuff"), and there's those seemingly-common-to-space-game's very thin and straight 'dust beams' when flying your ship in space (or orbit, etc), but it's nothing exaggerated and fits in with the overall visuals and atmosphere, in my opinion.

 

[digiram]

How about that snow in The Division? Annoyance or weather effect?

It can be annoying, but you can also use it to your advantage.. like when you're trying to get away while Rogue.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Nothing is worse than a game having film grain in an attempt to be artsy.

 

[thejunglegod]

I love particle effects. God rays, dust particles, snow, smoke etc. all add a tiny little bit to the gameplay I feel.
The only problem I have with are those goddamn lens flares. I've never really understood the point of those.

 

[Sabrewings]

I think the last game I turned dust off in was Star Trek Bridge Commander, if that gives you any idea.

 

[ritditditdidoo]

Yes it annoys me. I also hate blood on the screen and water drops on the screen (unless the character is wearing a mask). I also hate DoF and motion blur and film grain GAH I hate that. I like the dust in space games though for the reason mentioned above.

 

[DeathReborn]

Mostly they don't bother me, excessive use of them does. Film Grain is a HUGE turnoff to the point that if it can't be turned off or modded out I refuse to buy the game. Sacred 2 had leaves etc blowing around (PhysX) and at first it was a little irksome but after an hour or so I stopped caring and played on.

Bad Game Design Choices:
Film Grain
Lens Flares
Excessive Motion Blur
Fog (Turok... urgh)

I wouldn't say I am a graphics purist but I know what I don't like, and the above list pretty much ticks me off.