GGMAX - Feature Request - PSX/PS1 Retro FX Shader

[Kravenwolf]

I know this is probably just wishful thinking, but I would absolutely love to see a retro PSX shader added to MAX, so users can create old, retro-styled horror games with texture warping, 8 bit color depth, screen resolution adjustment, dithering and so on to recreate the look of old PS1 games.

Would open the door to an entirely new sub-genera of games, and one that doesn't demand bleeding-edge visuals, AAA environments and next-gen character models and animations to pull off with success.

Unity has several of these shaders available for reference: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/psx-shader-kit-183591#description https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/psxeffects-132368#publisher

There is a large number of indie developers who create these retro-style horror games, because, besides the nostalgia of recreating those old console visuals and taking many of us back to the 90s, making a game with this shader allows anyone who isn't particularly very good at 3D modeling to create custom assets anyway, because the assets don't need to look particularly good to still achieve a convincing aesthetic for this genera.

A YouTube playlist showcasing various indie games utilizing this shader effect (many more available, VERY popular style!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGzc-FkeWe4&list=PLq7Wze90TsOqKW9WjEGk32Uc0dnIH1Tan

The Patreon of an indie developer (Puppet Combo) who ONLY makes games in this style, and has nearly 2,000 monthly-supporting patrons: https://www.patreon.com/puppetcombo

A few of my personal favorite indie games using a retro aesthetic (just to demonstrate the art style can achieve mainstream success today): DUSK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiuC1DcgIMo HROT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSpV651ftgg PIGSAW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wQOOjT5tII

[Lemuripest93]

Absolutely love this idea, and wouldn't mind having a few shaders like these added down the line, been playing a game called 'Lunacid' lately that also does the same thing, that game even comes with a few shaders of it's own, including a VHS filter, which would be really great for horror games.

P.S. Great taste in games 👍

[fearlesswee]

I whole-heartedly support this. I want to make a retro aesthetic game myself, but aiming for more of a late 90's PC game (which could be easily accomplished in MAX right now with the right assets and settings) rather than full-blown PSX. Still, I would love for other users to have more options.

In general, it'd be great to have custom shader support so that users who understand that arcane art can delve into it, and potentially release/sell additional shaders without needing active development from TGC to cover every possible desired shader.