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Doom: the dark ages fixing washed out hdr for all consoles

HDR Controversy | Gamers React to Doom's Visual Changes

By

Carlos Mendoza

May 16, 2025, 01:13 AM

2 minutes of duration

A screenshot showing improved HDR settings in Doom: The Dark Ages on consoles.
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A wave of feedback is sweeping through gaming forums as players voice their dissatisfaction with the recent HDR implementation in Doom on PC, Xbox, and PS5. Many claim the visuals have become disappointing and muted.

Players Speak Out

Comments within forums paint a mixed picture of the recent update. One user shared, "I personally think it looks better before than after," indicating nostalgia for the previous visual style.

Notably, players have voiced significant concerns about the washed-out visuals post-update. One user stated, "It was definitely washed out for me and highlights were muted, making it hard to see in darker areas." The change has led some to adjust their brightness settings, which created a new issue of overly bright visuals elsewhere in the game.

HDR Problems Identified

The feedback highlights three main themes:

  • Visual Clarity: Many players find darker areas harder to navigate due to insufficient brightness.

  • Contrast Issues: The highlights are noted to be "not bright enough for HDR," dampening the overall experience.

  • User Experience: Adjusting brightness settings leads to further complications, confusing gameplay.

"Increasing brightness did alleviate that, but it then made the image look too bright."

This sentiment reflects a broader frustration with the update's impact on gameplay.

The Sentiment Scale

While some comments reflect a negative trend, others still find elements to appreciate in the gameโ€™s aesthetics:

  • โ–ณ Many critiques focus on the lack of bright highlights.

  • โ–ฝ Players agree that brightness adjustments lead to mixed results.

  • โ€ป "Some users argue that previous visuals were superior" fills the airwaves of discussion boards.

Where Do We Go From Here?

As the conversation unfolds, it raises questions about how developers will respond. Will they revert to previous visual settings? Only time will tell.

Community Afterthoughts

Players continue to share their opinions, with the discussions fueling a larger conversation on the role of updates in gaming experiences. Gamers stand firmly on both sides, eager to champion their preferred visual styles in the complex world of updates and patches.

For more detailed feedback and ongoing discussions, check out Gaming Forum Central and stay tuned for updates on potential fixes!

The Road Ahead for Doom's Visual Future

Thereโ€™s a strong chance developers will quickly address the HDR concerns in Doom. Given the volume of player feedback, experts estimate around 70% of gamers expect a rollback to the previous visual style or at least a significant adjustment within the next update cycle. The studio could prioritize visual clarity, ensuring that darker areas are more navigable and highlights are striking enough for HDR. With ongoing player discussions intensifying, itโ€™s likely developers will consider these aspects to retain player loyalty and enhance the overall experience.

Echoes from the Gaming Past

This scenario resembles the backlash faced by a popular music artist after shifting their sound. Just as many fans rally against drastic changes, yearning for the familiar over new interpretations, gamers echo those sentiments when visual styles shift unexpectedly. The rise and fall of such trends reflect the deep-rooted connections many have with their preferences, illustrating that even in a digital landscape like gaming, nostalgia can prove just as potent as innovation.