How should The Black Shroud be redesigned?

[Seif]

Honestly a forest with different looking trees isn't enough I want to see FF caliber imagination in each of the area's I'd like them to hire one of the past FF game environment designers to do the work properly since Akihiko Yoshida just doesn't have what it takes when it comes to environments. This look is the same that's in all the games he has worked on and should focus on characters because he's great at those.

Also I'd leave the design to a PROFESSIONAL. Having worked in games industry for several years I know for a tried and tested fact that nothing kills a chance of artistic personality ever shining through like having "brainstorming meeting" to "throw some ideas around".

FF VII-XI environments look absolutely amazing even today. I'd just hire those guys and trust them to do a good job like they always do:

http://kusanagi.co.jp/artgallery/artgallerytvgame.htm

This is a group that has done massive amount of environment design for the past FF games.
I don't want this to seem like I'm dissing Yoshida I just think SE should use him to focus on characters and new gear because he's so great at those.

[Jabo]

RL suggestions

small waterfalls
http://www.launer-reisen.de/images/r...itvice_600.jpg
http://www.urlaub-plitvice-seen.com/...rtments_15.jpg
http://www.geo-reisecommunity.de/bil...e-Kaskaden.jpg
http://www.guesthouse-raspor-opatija...ice%20most.jpg

more open "fields"
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/reg..._meadow_lg.jpg

parts of the forest with dead threes
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...kill)_1825.jpg

[Eugenics]

I love to see it like the open field picture in Jabo post.

[Claudus]

RL suggestions

small waterfalls
http://www.launer-reisen.de/images/r...itvice_600.jpg
http://www.urlaub-plitvice-seen.com/...rtments_15.jpg
http://www.geo-reisecommunity.de/bil...e-Kaskaden.jpg
http://www.guesthouse-raspor-opatija...ice%20most.jpg

more open "fields"
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/reg..._meadow_lg.jpg

parts of the forest with dead threes
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...kill)_1825.jpg

These look real nice, hope it turns out like those pictures.

[Onidemon]

Yoshi wanted us to discuss it. I guess for further reference, there are already two threads with some random suggestions:

thread 1

thread 2


Anyways with that out of the way.

Although I have grown accustomed to the tone of the Black Shroud as it stands today, an atmosphere more befitting to the name is more what I envisioned when I first saw the concept art for Gridania and The Black Shroud.

If you've ever seen Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, the forest from that movie is more what I envisioned. Obviously I'm not suggesting a direct plagiarism or anything, just some adjustment to ambience. At least in some areas.

Another thing to address is the corridor-like nature of the layout. I think I speak for everyone when I say I groaned when I first saw the map for The Black Shroud. After Yuhtanga Jungle, I never wanted to see such a map again. And at least Yuhtanga Jungle had some maze-like qualities to it which alleviated the boredom.

The development team have also spoken alot about conducting players throughout the game, and maybe it's time they addressed the seemingly random positioning of certain features throughout the zones. There really doesn't seem to be any rhyme nor reason to the position of some of the items on the map, as far as I can tell. Even considering the camps, some of them seem oddly placed. In any case, I think it would have been more wise to position some of the townships and spectacles more close to the main thoroughfare to give a sense of more variation within the zone.

Placing them so far off the beaten-track, although compelling players to adventure more, makes the rest of the zone rather tedious.

In short: reduce tedium and copy paste, alter ambience and atmosphere, restruture the zone to be more open, position interesting outcrops and structures to be more central to the main passageways.

Feel free to weigh in.

I think they should re-do the whole area from scratch and drop the whole maze design idea as it really sucks. They should go with an open area forest like WOW does it (Ashenvale kind of...)

[britestar90]

I love the look and feel of the black shroud, but I hatehatehate the enclosed maze layout. Going through the tunnel-like paths and pass that same short stream over and over again, really gets annoying. I would love for the area to be more open and a lot easier to get from point to point. Would also love it to have more landmarks and special places to find while exploring. (A return of Zi'Tah's crystals would be lovely! ^_^ ) Also a slow change of landscape as you approach another zone, such as desert like plants as you get closer to Thanalan, etc. And perhaps each section of the Black Shroud to have its own identity instead of it all being the same thing.

[Seif]

Basically as long as it doesn't look like a generic forest that would be cool. All the zones have absolutely nothing FF-esque about them moving the trees around and changing their texture at some parts isn't enough to make these areas interesting we've seen forests/deserts/green plains before there's nothing memorable about them.

[Malakhim]

Basically as long as it doesn't look like a generic forest that would be cool. All the zones have absolutely nothing FF-esque about them moving the trees around and changing their texture at some parts isn't enough to make these areas interesting we've seen forests/deserts/green plains before there's nothing memorable about them.

I agree with this and submit that it isn't even a question that the places themselves look bad. The environments look gorgeous in fact, but they could do with more unique landmarks.

How about a grove full of downed trees in The Black Shroud? What about an area of scorching, barren land in Thanalan with steam rising from it not unlike the Fumaroles in Southern Gustaburg? Why not have a bay in Limsa Lominsa that has the remains of wrecked ships?

I guess I'm using FFXIII has my barometer for amazing Final Fantasy vistas, which may not be entirely adequate to apply to an MMO, but I feel that a few more creative liberties could be taken in that vein. The Black Shroud's supposed to be a magical wood? Well then make it feel magical(especially so it can go with the musical theme for it).

Edit - How about taking cues from FFIX's Evil Forest? It was dark, dreary, and pretty much every plant in that place wanted to kill you.

[Kio]

As aforementioned, I'd prefer it to look more like Zi'Tah.

Currently, I have no sense that I'm in a forest of any kind. All I see are claustrophobic, tall, green walls. Like a mouse running a maze, but there is no cheese at the end.

[giftforce]

Basically as long as it doesn't look like a generic forest that would be cool. All the zones have absolutely nothing FF-esque about them moving the trees around and changing their texture at some parts isn't enough to make these areas interesting we've seen forests/deserts/green plains before there's nothing memorable about them.

I prefer a more unassuming environment. (like the ones we have)