Points of interest
New points of interest (such as dungeons, world bosses, and corrupted areas) spawn as nodes develop.[2][3] This content adapts to the node progression of the zone it is in.[1][4]
- Additional buildings will spawn.[1]
- Additional mobs will spawn.[1]
- Different antagonists/leaders with different story lines.[1][4]
- Populations will change.[4]
- Content difficulty will change.[4]
- The content may be different altogether.[4]
- Additional quest hooks.[1]
- Dungeons will be unlocked when certain nodes advance to certain stages.[5]
- Drop tables in areas and dungeons will be tied into the progression of certain areas.[5]
- POI events are events that relate to specific points-of-interest (POI).[9]
- The location of points of interest will be the same on each server, but some servers may have limited or no access to them.[10]
- Certain dungeons and other points of interest across the map will all be affected by the server’s node development. Some dungeons will only be unlocked if nodes are developed to certain stages. The storyline objectives for players inside dungeons will also be dependent on the story arc paths chosen through the node system. The drop tables in area and dungeons will also be tied into the progression of certain areas. For example, let’s say that the humans have developed a node in Region A, and a storyline has opened up that leads players to inspect the ruins (dungeon) of a nearby area. And let’s say that this node was developed in a scientific (crafting) zone… Well before the node developed, this dungeon was accessible… But now the dungeon has propagated new monster assets that include a drop table catering to a crafting emphasis because of the development of that academic node. And perhaps, a new boss appears in different rooms of the dungeon that includes different adventure quest starts, like a mysterious item with a storyline that can only be progressed if a node develops to the metropolis stage in a certain region, across the world. Our system is so vast, when it comes to interconnectivity and how the world reacts to the players.[5]
World map
The world of Verra features an in-game viewable world map. This map is not randomly generated, and begins covered in a fog of war.[14] Players will not be able to see the world until they have explored it or gathered information about it. The world is also full of imperfect information, which will require the player to act on it for verification.[15]
- For example, you may hear a rumor in a tavern that tells you the location of a cave full of weak Kobolds, but this was not accurate as the rumor was started by well-equipped bandits in order to waylay overconfident adventurers.[15]
- Information about the world will be presented directly to players through the world map UI as it is gathered.[16][5]
- Node tax rates will be visible on the world map by hovering over a node location on the UI.[17]
- The map UI will potentially incorporate player created location markers that are visible by other party members.[18]
- Previously, detailed information about the world was only available through the Library unique node building.[19]
- The map will have geographical choke points caused by non-traversable obstacles (such as Mountains).[22][23][24]
- Even though we're an open-world that doesn't mean that from a design perspective, especially with the way our economic systems work, that we will want to create Geographic choke points.[23] – Steven Sharif
- Zones in Ashes of Creation will cater to all levels.[25]
Dungeon locations
Dungeons and other points of interest are located throughout the map in-between the 85 node locations.[8]
- As nodes advance and expand they will influence nearby points-of-interest such as dungeon bosses, regional bosses and Raid bosses.[8]
- Multiple nearby nodes may collectively influence larger POIs.[6]
- POIs of this size do not normally attach to just a single node. Usually there are multiple nodes that can potentially influence a large POI. The theming within the node occurs around storylines or NPC spawns and events.[6] – Steven Sharif
- The difficulty level and loot tables of these encounters will change based on this influence.[7][8]
Landmarks
Landmarks are scattered throughout the world, allowing players to judge their position on the map.[26]
From a lore perspective these statues have been around for a long time; and they are representative of the civilizations that existed once on this world before.[26] – Steven Sharif
Major visual landmarks. You can look all the way across the horizon have an idea where you're going or where to meet friends or where to meet just based on these huge landmarks in the world.[26] – Mat Broome
Underwater nodes
Underwater points of interest that have NPC structures may appear to be like cities, but they will not be nodes.[27]
- There won't be nodes underwater or in the water.[28]
Economic regions
Economic regions are static areas defined by geographic points of interest.[30][31][32]
- Castle regions are larger and encompass multiple economic regions.[30]
- Nodes are the glue that hold castle and economic regions together in potential synergy or chaos.[33]
- Castle regions, Economic regions, and Node ZOI (Zones of Influence) can overlap.[34]
The whole map would be under the influence of 1 of 5 castle regions. However, castle regions aren't the only TYPE of region - there are also economic regions, among other things.[31] – Sarah Flanagan
Castle regions
Guild castles influence a castle region around them.[35]
- A castle's region is 1/5th the game world.[36]
- Castle regions, Economic regions, and Node ZOI (Zones of Influence) can overlap.[37][34]
- A castle could have a metropolis beside it.[38]
- Castle region boundaries are static.[37]
- Guild castles impose a tax on all revenue for the nodes within its region.[39][40]
Zones and progression
Dungeons, Raids, World bosses, Mobs, Quests, Events, Resources, Narratives and other content within a node's ZOI will have a diverse level range; but will scale with the advancement of that node and its racial influence.[41][25][42]
- Portions of the spawn tables (for mobs and resources) are static and other portions are dynamic and adapt to node development.[43]
- We don’t have a strictly level 25 zone. Instead, that zone might have some level 10 creatures near the road, some level 20 creatures deep in the forest, and some level 30 creatures up the mountain. These ratios will change based on the Nodes that inform them, becoming generally more dangerous as the Node grows. All this civilization attracts the attention of Things-That-Should-Not-Be. This does not mean that wilderness areas are safe, by any means. Some may be safe-er, but all will have dangers that even the most experienced traveler needs to watch out for.[44] – Steven Sharif
Battlegrounds
Artwork
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Transmisja na żywo, 2021-03-26 (50:33).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-03-26 (22:53).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2017-11-17 (36:22).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Transmisja na żywo, 2017-11-17 (18:29).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 MMOGames interview, January 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2
- ↑ 7.0 7.1
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Transmisja na żywo, 2020-07-25 (46:08).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-04-29 (40:21).
- ↑
- ↑ Blog - Development Update with New Map and Feature Discussions.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2022-08-26 (46:52).
- ↑ Video, 2023-01-27 (4:39).
- ↑ Wywiad, 2017-05-22 (22:54).
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 The mighty beard!
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2023-09-29 (1:14:29).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2023-09-29 (1:11:22).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-05-27 (2:33).
- ↑ Blog: Know Your Nodes - Scientific Node Type
- ↑
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2017-05-19 (37:03).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-08-26 (53:26).
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2020-06-26 (1:25:11).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2020-10-30 (1:19:13).
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2017-05-15 (30:53).
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Transmisja na żywo, 2018-08-17 (10:01).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2018-04-8 (AM) (18:29).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2018-04-8 (PM) (1:01:28).
- ↑ About Ashes of Creation.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2
- ↑ 31.0 31.1
- ↑ Unreal Engine Interview, 2017-05-23.
- ↑
- ↑ 34.0 34.1
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ 37.0 37.1
- ↑
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-04-30 (1:01:10).
- ↑
- ↑ Wywiad, 2020-07-19 (19:35).
- ↑ Blog - Know Your Nodes - The Basics.
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-08-26 (1:28:50).
- ↑ Interview: Ashes of Creation on Building Their Virtual World, 2017-04-13.