I say might but this is pretty certain in my mind. While I haven't been able to accurately recreate the same look (it's hard finding the right model + the right circumstances), the backgrounds are almost assuredly AI upscaled
Let's look into this in more details:
Remastered screenshot:
Original PS1 background (native resolution):
One form of AI upscaling of the original PS1 background (by me):
A second form of AI upscaling (by me again):
A gif comparison:
You can see the pixel artifacts in the brown wood circle that is holding the black bars that the remastered version is interpreting shading pixels as cracks. My model also interprets them as cracks but more subtly.
So, I think it's pretty conclusive proof it's using AI upscaling, and most likely ESRGAN like I do.
__________________
What does it mean? It means that we are getting a better looking game. Instead of looking like this:
FF9 PC Port (2016)
It's going to look more like this:
Moguri Mod (fanmod):
So SaGa Frontier, on top of getting a remaster that is putting back lost content, is also ahead of the curve by using techniques that will improve the visuals of the game even further using available technology.
Basically, SaGa keeps winning. This is a release I'd already consider supporting if only for that fact. If this ends up selling poorly, this would send the wrong message about the kind of polish you would want out of your remaster.
Let's look into this in more details:
Remastered screenshot:
Original PS1 background (native resolution):
One form of AI upscaling of the original PS1 background (by me):
A second form of AI upscaling (by me again):
A gif comparison:
You can see the pixel artifacts in the brown wood circle that is holding the black bars that the remastered version is interpreting shading pixels as cracks. My model also interprets them as cracks but more subtly.
So, I think it's pretty conclusive proof it's using AI upscaling, and most likely ESRGAN like I do.
__________________
What does it mean? It means that we are getting a better looking game. Instead of looking like this:
FF9 PC Port (2016)
It's going to look more like this:
Moguri Mod (fanmod):
So SaGa Frontier, on top of getting a remaster that is putting back lost content, is also ahead of the curve by using techniques that will improve the visuals of the game even further using available technology.
Basically, SaGa keeps winning. This is a release I'd already consider supporting if only for that fact. If this ends up selling poorly, this would send the wrong message about the kind of polish you would want out of your remaster.
