Is using AI Upscale

[Kaiju4Hire]

So I talked to a few friends that work with AI stuffs at their job and have said this looks to be using AI assisted up-scaling. They pointed out that when upscaling a very pixelated image the final output will be blurry so the AI will use CAS sharpening to bring out the details but will create heavy contrast between different colors making things look almost painted or outlined.

1 pointed this out to me. Kyle being pushed into the Kell pit is a dead giveaway, the shirt is all sorts of bad and the AI thought part of his utility belt was his pants and his holster became 1 with his pants. You can see part of the outline but never fully drawn because the AI didn't understand what it was. The AI really struggled on the Jaba's ship cut-scene. and is just a complete mess.


Imgur link, top is remaster, bottom is original.

https://imgur.com/a/zBZpS0Z

Nightdive shame on you., this game deserved that same respect System Shock was given.

[JacketAU]

wow that genuinely looks abhorrent

[fresco]

Clearly not an AI upscale.

[Kaiju4Hire]

Originally posted by fresco:

Clearly not an AI upscale.

you clearly don't know how AI works, it uses reference images to recreate the image in higher resolution. Hence why the only characters that look ok are ones that actually have references from the movies and other media like Mon Mothma, Darth Vader, Bobba Fett. All while any characters that where created only in this game like Kyle Katarn, the general and a few others all look like crap. The AI didn't have references outside of what the game has to use for the upscale.

[Lady Cheerybelle]

Yeah, Katarn's outfit looks a bit odd in that picture.
What's confusing me is the Gamorrean on the left. The axe grip and hand look like they've been redesigned, which makes me think that there was at least some touching-up.

[ttv/VirtuallyBob™]

skip to 10:24

https://youtu.be/rJGodvshZ9s?si=5TxzrRq-TdYwjmbj&t=620

[Kaiju4Hire]

Originally posted by ✡ttv/VirtuallyBob™✡:

skip to 10:24

https://youtu.be/rJGodvshZ9s?si=5TxzrRq-TdYwjmbj&t=620

Go to 11:02 look at the blaster Rifle, notice the shading is basically 1:1. If a human hand reworked it it wouldn't be suffering the same exact color banding.

[Darth Revan]

There are people claiming that in almost all forums of remastered/re-released games these days

[JacketAU]

Originally posted by Darth Revan:

There are people claiming that in almost all forums of remastered/re-released games these days

That's because the majority of them are using AI to lazily upscale everything.

[ttv/VirtuallyBob™]

IF <--- IF ... the boogeyman, 'A I' was used.... IF... then, did this boogeyman magically create the images on it's own or was there a human behind it? Is the 'A I'... sentient‽ or is it just a tool used by flesh and blood mortals?

IF it was even used, then those scared of change and advancement in technology have choices: purchase the game or play the modded OG PC game.

Sadly, those on console only have one choice but they can still vote with their wallets.

Basically, what is the issue exactly?

[(N☆G) Jackal ★JJ★]

Originally posted by ✡ttv/VirtuallyBob™✡:

IF <--- IF ... the boogeyman, 'A I' was used.... IF... then, did this boogeyman magically create the images on it's own or was there a human behind it? Is the 'A I'... sentient‽ or is it just a tool used by flesh and blood mortals?

IF it was even used, then those scared of change and advancement in technology have choices: purchase the game or play the modded OG PC game.

Sadly, those on console only have one choice but they can still vote with their wallets.

Basically, what is the issue exactly?

I'm pretty sure the issue stems from 1) NDS said they didn't use any (if I'm not mistaken) and 2) It means that the game shouldn't warrant its price again if AI did the heavy hauling.

[ttv/VirtuallyBob™]

Originally posted by (N☆G) Jackal ★JJ★:

I'm pretty sure the issue stems from 1) NDS said they didn't use any (if I'm not mistaken) and 2) It means that the game shouldn't warrant its price again if AI did the heavy hauling.

Gotcha!

[Nyx]

Originally posted by Kaiju4Hire:

Originally posted by fresco:

Clearly not an AI upscale.

you clearly don't know how AI works, it uses reference images to recreate the image in higher resolution. Hence why the only characters that look ok are ones that actually have references from the movies and other media like Mon Mothma, Darth Vader, Bobba Fett. All while any characters that where created only in this game like Kyle Katarn, the general and a few others all look like crap. The AI didn't have references outside of what the game has to use for the upscale.

To be fair, Katarn appears in two or three other games as well.

[freefall]

Originally posted by (N☆G) Jackal ★JJ★:

I'm pretty sure the issue stems from 1) NDS said they didn't use any (if I'm not mistaken) and 2) It means that the game shouldn't warrant its price again if AI did the heavy hauling.

The 2D cinematics play a very small part in Dark Forces. Most of the work done in the remaster was to essentially port the game to modern systems, figure out the various sound emulations, and recreate the in-game assets in high definition. Assuming AI was used for the 2D cutscenes, it still doesn't change the fact that there's still a lot of reverse-engineering, programming and debugging work involved. The 3D cutscenes were completely recreated, and every new sprite asset would need to be checked and tested in-game.

As for not warranting its price point, price versus effort is highly subjective and varies by every person's pain points. I do feel the remaster is a tad expensive for a game that has very little replay value. But I also don't feel the pricing is completely unreasonable or that anyone who paid the launch price were wrong to do so.

[Rugster]

I have been saying this since pictures were first relesased and the know nothing fan boys have been raging every time its brought up. I dont care what anybody says to the contrary. Ive played tons of ai upscale packs for doom, duke nukem and blood. I can tell ai when I see it on older games. Look at the E-11 blaster and how blurry the colors and edges are. zero chance that was hand drawn. Like OP says, ai colors have a distinct blur and lack of distinction. im looking at the white dress to the right as I type this and its clear.

[schM0ggi]

Originally posted by Kaiju4Hire:

So I talked to a few friends that work with AI stuffs at their job and have said this looks to be using AI assisted up-scaling. They pointed out that when upscaling a very pixelated image the final output will be blurry so the AI will use CAS sharpening to bring out the details but will create heavy contrast between different colors making things look almost painted or outlined.

1 pointed this out to me. Kyle being pushed into the Kell pit is a dead giveaway, the shirt is all sorts of bad and the AI thought part of his utility belt was his pants and his holster became 1 with his pants. You can see part of the outline but never fully drawn because the AI didn't understand what it was. The AI really struggled on the Jaba's ship cut-scene. and is just a complete mess.


Imgur link, top is remaster, bottom is original.

https://imgur.com/a/zBZpS0Z

Nightdive shame on you., this game deserved that same respect System Shock was given.

No.

https://blog.playstation.com/2024/02/26/how-the-star-wars-dark-forces-remaster-devs-nightdive-studios-enhanced-the-classic-fps/

Just go play other games and stop trying to spoil the fun for fans.
People these days...