Guild Wars 2

So, I have tried to troubleshoot this problem as best I could. The only other option that I can think of is going back to a previous version of my graphics card drivers as this problem happened the day that Guild Wars 2 AND my graphics card decided it was update time. However, I don’t believe I should need to downgrade my drivers to solve a problem.

The problem is simple: at distances, and very much noticeable is areas with fog, there is either poor draw distance OR what I was describe as deep, dark shadows on edges of distant or blurred objects. Even from not a far distance.

I have attached my DxDiag.txt to this post.

First image: Dark shadows at distance, and even noticeable loss of detail at short distance-
http://i.imgur.com/c5fwTFM.jpg

Second image: Dark shadows at extremely short and long distances within an area of fog/blur-
http://i.imgur.com/HEZTLgJ.jpg

Third image: My graphic settings
http://i.imgur.com/NZJcStw.jpg

Fourth image: Nvida settings-
http://i.imgur.com/NPQCIB8.png

Fifth image: Nvida version-
http://i.imgur.com/SD05Wrs.png

In my opinion it appears to be related to your forced “Ambient Occlusion” setting in your NVidia Control Panel.

As it only becomes apparent at far distances, it would seem there is an issue with the enhanced shadowed elements of terrain not being obscured by fog and sandstorm effects, while the terrain elements the shadows themselves are cast upon are.

There’s a bit of a history with GW2, NVidia and Ambient Occlusion.
[ 1 , 2 ] (and many more using google to find others discussing it and getting it to work right)

I recommend setting it to “Off” instead of “Quality” in your GW2 NVidia profile.

Here are some pics of it being experienced by others when dealing with obscuring effects such as fog.

I don’t have NVidia so I am not sure of more recent discussions on the matter. Sorry I cannot be of more help in this regard.

I’m sure there is information available around the net to get AO to work right if you really desire it to be enabled in GW2. I had glanced at some info discussing the use of a Skyrim AO nvidia config or something to get it to look right in GW2.

Thank you so very much! That was just it. I feel so silly, I had even ticked that ‘off’ just to see, and it did nothing. However, I ticked it off, restarted Guild Wars, and now everything is how it should be.

I appreciate the help so much. It has been giving me a headache and more frustration than you can imagine over the past week.

Happy to help out!
It’s good that we can now note that changes to that setting will not become apparent in-game until the next time it is launched instead of immediately as changes to other settings are.

Happy gaming.