- ditched vertex colors (not wanted) and alpha tests (not needed) in the shaders
- using a Bezier fall-off to get much softer edges
- added no-depth-write transparent surfaces support by adjusting the depth test
- multiplying the diffuse texture's color by its alpha in non-opaque passes
- fixed triangle rejection based on cull type and normal direction
- reflecting normals in shaders to support two-sided surfaces
- rejecting surfaces with no diffuse stage or bad blend states as early as possible
- liquids get lit weaker than other surfaces