Day and Night: The strange decision devs make

I really feel that they should never force day or night in any duty/dungeon, it takes away from the world we're in. Most recent example is Swallow's Compass and how it only exists during the day, where's the sunset/night phase? It's a design decision that doesn't need to be there, either do it for all dungeons or for none.

There's dungeons that are day/night depending on server time? Never noticed that

Castrum Abania, Brayflox, Cutter's Cry are all day/night based off game time, just off the top of my head.

I suspect it's that they want certain looks for certain dungeons.

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Originally Posted by InkstainedGwyn

Castrum Abania, Brayflox, Cutter's Cry are all day/night based off game time, just off the top of my head.

I suspect it's that they want certain looks for certain dungeons.

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Most of the ARR dungeons are like that, though the ones that are inside tend to not have it be as noticeable. You can only tell in Sastasha /right/ before the final boss and only if you look out at the ocean that's coming into the cave. I think the only time they break this rule is if it provides something thematic for the dungeon, such as the Vault where the sunset is meant to set the mood for the inevitable story turn that's coming after the final boss.

The Royal Menagerie freezes the clock at 5pm to keep the impending dusk effect (although it's kinda worthless once the Shinryu fight starts which takes place inside a pocket dimension).

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Originally Posted by InkstainedGwyn

Castrum Abania, Brayflox, Cutter's Cry are all day/night based off game time, just off the top of my head.

I suspect it's that they want certain looks for certain dungeons.

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There's a certain mechanic that requires sunlight in a dungeon in Heavensward. If you drag the dragons into the patch of sunlight, they're easier to kill.

How fair would it be for those that were to get this dungeon during a night cycle?

I have sort of the same issue, but coming at it from the other side. Visibility is lousy at night outside of the stars looking neat, and I'd much prefer the ability to lock visuals at mid-day so I can actually see and enjoy the setting.

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Originally Posted by Ghastly

I really feel that they should never force day or night in any duty/dungeon, it takes away from the world we're in. Most recent example is Swallow's Compass and how it only exists during the day, where's the sunset/night phase? It's a design decision that doesn't need to be there, either do it for all dungeons or for none.

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Aside from where there is an actual mechanic involved with the weather/time/sun, having the time cycles actually function is preferred over not, as it makes the the dungeon seem like a more realistic environment instead of just a "movie set"

When the weather/time is fixed for some reason, that's because of a specific mechanic or "movie set" look is required for something. But you can also swing it as "you waited to entered the dungeon at 5pm when the weather was nice", so there's really no reason why it doesn't work if the dungeon always starts at the same time.

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Originally Posted by KisaiTenshi

Aside from where there is an actual mechanic involved with the weather/time/sun, having the time cycles actually function is preferred over not, as it makes the the dungeon seem like a more realistic environment instead of just a "movie set"

When the weather/time is fixed for some reason, that's because of a specific mechanic or "movie set" look is required for something. But you can also swing it as "you waited to entered the dungeon at 5pm when the weather was nice", so there's really no reason why it doesn't work if the dungeon always starts at the same time.

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Yeah I know the reasons why


In my opinion it's a bad design choice in an mmo though. In an mmo time doesn't stop/advance in whole days like that, it's not even done in cutscenes where certain weather/time of day would make more sense so it's not consistent at all.

There are some cutscenes that do ignore the day/night cycle and show a fixed time-of-day where it’s critical for storytelling. They’re rare, but they do happen. eg. the scene after the Vault, like the dungeon itself, is always in that eerie sunset light. Or the scene where your group is camping before visiting Zenith, or later in post-HW where you and Alisaie are looking up at the stars - those need to be forced night scenes or they don’t make sense!

As mentioned earlier, the in-game clock actually freezes at 4:30 pm while you’re waiting to enter the Royal Menagerie and complete Stormblood - at least it did for me, waiting on the rooftop garden rather than leaving to do other things while I waited. It just remains permanently in that golden afternoon light.

Some of the dungeons that are subject to the day/night cycle make for some impressive views.

I only recently got a run of Bardam's Mettle at dusk, which was rather enchanting with the purple-red sky.

Day/Night can make some dungeons look ace, Castrum Abania at sunset or Neverreap at sunrise, I do wish weather also played a part in some dungeons too, such as rain.

I do so enjoy when dungeons have this little feature.

I have no issue with that.