Darkness Over Thanalan and Coerthas!

[Starlord]

That's what I said earlier. Making the maps smaller entails the ability to create more specified areas that are unique from one another. If Sarutabaruta, Meriphataud Mountains, and Tahrongi Canyon were all on a single map, that would stress out a PS2 to death, and then some. There are too many different textures to load, map physics, etc.

This is why our current maps are the way they are, because Tanaka's vision was to make a seamless world. However, its just not working as well as it should be. I'd much prefer loading an entire new zone with minor differences than just loading a full zone that is the same for the next 20 minutes of running.

Separating these maps into separate zones will open up so many possibilities and will cause a lot less stress on the PS3 version.

Im All for Smaller zones by separating the bigger zone into smaller zone. It really makes no difference either way the smaller zone would still be quite a walk from point A to point B anyhow. So really in the end, they can make better zones in the smaller zones and still be able to keep the Travel far from point A to Point B =)

[Nuru]

Im All for Smaller zones by separating the bigger zone into smaller zone. It really makes no difference either way the smaller zone would still be quite a walk from point A to point B anyhow. So really in the end, they can make better zones in the smaller zones and still be able to keep the Travel far from point A to Point B =)

As long as they:

1) Get rid of copy/pasted material
2) Change the texture just a bit to differentiate between zones. (Ex. From Thanalon to Black Shroud - Start adding a bit of trees near the zone, probably a creek or small river to support the idea of plant growth.. possibly even call it a meadow. Dead trees closer to dry area.. etc.)
3) Crystal Encampments for each zone.
4) Hidden areas to explore, and make them worth exploring. (Ex. Secret cave with a spring, perhaps even a waterfall, weird plant life growing, NM spawn..)

Just these things alone can really make this game go from a 4 rating to an easy 8 or 9!

[Starlord]

As long as they:

1) Get rid of copy/pasted material
2) Change the texture just a bit to differentiate between zones. (Ex. From Thanalon to Black Shroud - Start adding a bit of trees near the zone, probably a creek or small river to support the idea of plant growth.. possibly even call it a meadow. Dead trees closer to dry area.. etc.)
3) Crystal Encampments for each zone.
4) Hidden areas to explore, and make them worth exploring. (Ex. Secret cave with a spring, perhaps even a waterfall, weird plant life growing, NM spawn..)

Just these things alone can really make this game go from a 4 rating to an easy 8 or 9!

Yeah most of what people complain about is of the "Copy and Paste" Terrain. Nor I dont blame them for acting that way, for the fact that like every turn you make seem to be the same as you were 3 mins ago. Which is Most likly the reason they are fixing the zones ( starting with Gridania First it seems) but the Thanalan Ideal.. is what confuses me.. they mention stuff about this "Storm over Gridania", yet most of the attention is at Thanalan.. hmmm, but then again.. the weather has picked up everywhere so..

[Nuru]

Thanalon is the Basis of the Info on what is happening to the Black Shroud because of reasons currently unknown. Though, i believe it could be because either or all of these following reasons:

1) The FFXIV Staff realizes that UlDah is the focal point of the player base across each and every server.
2) Thanalan is the next zone over, so the story-based NPCs are warning the neighboring city, which happens to be UlDah. Also, since the catastrophe is going to take place in Gridania, the NPCs most likely wouldn't want to stay in that area.

[Gramul]

2) Change the texture just a bit to differentiate between zones. (Ex. From Thanalon to Black Shroud

You know what would really help to connect the two? A Savannah.

[Starlord]

Thanalon is the Basis of the Info on what is happening to the Black Shroud because of reasons currently unknown. Though, i believe it could be because either or all of these following reasons:

1) The FFXIV Staff realizes that UlDah is the focal point of the player base across each and every server.
2) Thanalan is the next zone over, so the story-based NPCs are warning the neighboring city, which happens to be UlDah. Also, since the catastrophe is going to take place in Gridania, the NPCs most likely wouldn't want to stay in that area.

That seems Logical, But one question remains... Why is there "Darkness" in the Clouds and its raining practically everywhere you go (even in Mor Dhona)

[Anty]

SE has gotten tired of us complaining about the bland looking zones and they are fixing it by making things harder to see.

I guess we should be thankful that they aren't scaling them up...

lol that really made me laugh

[Nuru]

That seems Logical, But one question remains... Why is there "Darkness" in the Clouds and its raining practically everywhere you go (even in Mor Dhona)

That my friend cannot be answered at the moment. This is what we are all waiting for.

[Starlord]

Well, I can confirm this much.. When the Thanalan Zone losses its Theme the NPC does say there stuff they normally wouldnt say, this is an ( Off and On Event) its Triggered at certain times of the day.