shadows and shaders are not maxed on mine...once you start getting into the wind effects and stuff i think you are on the path to lag--you still have snow and rain but you don't have the wind and some water effects i think....which really fine by me...i also THINK i have the distance setting not set to unlimited but rather the one below it...and i have been all over the cities and the countrysides in all different terrains and group/event sizings....i can't wait for a final release but i cant imagine it being much of an improvement over what i have now
also will note that i agree with others...after transitions, lag and play quality improve after being in a zone for a bit