[2021] Dev Discussion #31 - Environments

Glorious Ashes community - it's time for another Dev Discussion! Dev Discussion topics are kind of like a "reverse Q&A" - rather than you asking us questions about Ashes of Creation, we want to ask YOU what your thoughts are.

Our design team has compiled a list of burning questions we'd love to get your feedback on regarding gameplay, your past MMO experiences, and more. Join in on the Dev Discussion and share what makes gaming special to you!


Dev Discussion #31 - Environments
What are some of the elements that make for a more “realistic” or “lifelike” world when you play a game, from NPCs to environments and beyond? How much does realism matter to you generally?

Keep an eye out for our next Dev Discussion topic regarding guilds!

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Greetings again friends! Thank you all so much for stopping by to share your many thoughts on environments, and what elements can make them feel more immersive and lifelike to you. After reading through all your comments for our team, check out a recap of some of your top feedback below:

[list]
[*] Many agreed that day/night cycles, including NPC routines to match them, contribute to making a world feel more alive
[*] Others highlighted the importance of ambient sound in setting the stage
[*] Smaller environmental details (critters, wind, dust, raindrops, footprints, etc.) can help prevent an expansive world from feeling static
[*] Some shared that realistic mob scaling, including enormous and difficult world bosses, sparked their senses of wonder and danger
[*] A few provided their thoughts on when realism went so far as to be annoying, such as carry weight or hunger/thirst mechanics
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Our team also enjoyed this quote that we thought shared a similar sentiment to what you all expressed:

Orym

When you are consistent with how the world looks and functions and not necessarily in a realistic way, you can still create an immersive world that feels very believable.