Bloom (shader effect)

[Postmodern_Boy]

I found a easy way to use the bloom shader effect in my prerenderd 3D backgrounds for an adventure game.  I it looks kinda cool, but it is starting to be a little over-used in the gaming industry, so I was wondering what you people think of it, is it going to continue being a cool effect or is it going to be a fad that is as laughable as the photoshop lens flair in a couple years?  If you don't know what effect im talking about click here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloom_%28shader_effect%29

[scotch]

It has already become quite a cliche for a next gen game to have massive bloom everywhere. It seems most developers have realised that it got a bit silly and have toned back the bloom, but not all.

It's a decent effect as long as you use it where appropriate. Think like a photographer, think about what your lighting being blown out like that is doing to a picture, and use it intelligently.

[esper]

When used to the proper effect, bloom is gorgeous, otherwise, yeah, it's a bit like lens flare (which, to everyone's chagrin, I still enjoy using from time to time). It depends on the effect you want to get. I have no idea why bloom shading would be used in a game like, oh, I don't know... Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six... But in a game in that same genre, such as FEAR, which incorporates an otherworldliness, it can be used to create a terrible, washed-out feeling like you're not altogether sure if you're in this world or the next. In a game like, for example, Dungeon Siege, which is just a total hack-and-slash dungeon crawl, it would seem just a bit goofy, but in another game also in the fantasy genre, Fable, it was used to beautiful end effect, creating a fantastic fairy-tale feeling that still just about mists over my eyes every time I play it. Going into Dungeon Siege, you just want to kill things. Going into Fable, you want to be transported into a different world where things are just a bit... off.

[Da_Elf]

the typical "massive blooms" are cheesy. but blooms are indeed realistic when used in the right amount. same as good lensflare plugins are good when used in the right amount

[Haddas]

Yes. Bloom is great when going for a certain effect, or when used in moderation. I remember how you would get blinded in oblivion were you dumb enough to look at a sheep

[Da_Elf]

hehe i wouldnt know about that. our sheep here are brown with black bellies

[Damien]

Bloom is a nice effect, but overused so it would get noticed.

Also:
VGCats #223: Gaussian Blur