Neural network helped to improve Morrowind textures four times
The textures of the famous RPG from Bethesda have become much clearer thanks to machine learning.
Textures using the Morrowind Enhanced Textures mod
Fans of the cult The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind have been trying to improve the game for years with the help of modifications.
Some modders are trying to transfer it to the Skyrim engine, others have been recreating a whole continent in the game for 15 years.
The DassiD modder managed to significantly improve the graphics in Morrowind. To do this, he used a self—learning neural network – ESRGAN (Enhanced Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Networks).
DassiD describes the algorithm as “a scaling technique that adds detail to low-resolution images.” ESRGAN processed the original textures and quadrupled their resolution.
Textures before and after installing the Morrowind Enhanced Textures mod
The textures were improved automatically, so the modder didn’t have to edit the images manually.
But in order to achieve high resolution, we had to repeat the processing process several times.
A set of HD textures created for Morrowind was released on NexusMods.
Previously, to improve textures in old games, modders have already resorted to new technologies related to machine learning. For example, the hidfan modder used the Super Resolution software tools from NVIDIA and Topaz AI Gigapixel. A deep learning system was used in the work. But, according to hidfan, all the artifacts from the processed textures and sprites had to be removed manually.
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