Any plans to include vistas in ARR?

[Yrusama]

Although i'm not much into achievements, i recognise they are going to be a part of the game-play no matter what. From the achievement standpoint, lots of 'points of interest' can be added, but even without some kind of reward, i think the idea is still valid. A short CS broadens the viewing range of an area, or for those who like optional reading (eg Skyrims books), locations providing lore background would add a great deal to the area.

I think that having some kind of 'Codex' to save gathered information to / make a check list of need not be attributed to 'achievements' (although it will). It would simply be a good UI decision to help a player stay organised on this aspect of their adventure.

When you say "optional reading" FFXIII-2 came to mind. There were some riveting story elements that were otherwise unclear without the Datalog. One should never have to read anything beyond the game's main focus, but adding some side info can only help.

I'm in favor of this idea. There doesn't need to be platforming at all (although I think it'd be kinda fun), and what he's proposing is such a small, brief distraction from the main game that it's really not something people should bash. In FFX there was an NPC you could talk to in the Calm Lands that would explain the canyon you needed to cross to get to Gagazet, and during his explanation there was a brief cutscene where the camera soared over the canyon. It was not difficult to get to, and it didn't take much time to watch, but improved my perspective of the Calm Lands greatly.

Edit: I forgot about the Goblin Footprint in XI. If we had something like that - a spot on the ground we could check or some other thing to interact with - it wouldn't be at all difficult to reach. It could be at the entrances to each zone. We can already re-watch cutscenes in our inn, but sometimes you just want to take in the sights while you're in the area.

[dragorian]

I've been playing a bit of GW2 to pass the time until ARR. I'm enjoying it, it's better than Star Wars i think, but ARR should have no trouble being better than both.

Anyway, GW2 has points of interest in its maps that can be discovered for achievement purposes. One of these interest 'types' is called a vista. It is simple. Arrive there, click on the icon, and a short panoramic CS of the area shows for a moment. It would not seem to take very much dev resource at all, but it is very rewarding.

I'd like to see it in ARR.

im getting my copy 2 day id like play along side you

[Rumpelstiltzkin]

Maybe not quite such an on-the-nose copy of GW2, but something akin to that would be nice. I liked the Holocrons in TOR for the same reason, though those ones were often really annoying in terms of the precise jumping required. A little bit of an exploration puzzle to break up the normal gameplay could be nice, though.

I thought the Holocrons were the best part of that game honestly. I would love to see something similar be implemented for ARR. Searching for small things that are hidden all around the world and that are useful, but not so good that you HAVE to go get them is such a great idea imo. It really adds a new dimension to exploring imo.

[Dargoth_Draconia]

I want to play a mmo not a platformer ><

No one said you had to participate in said event or action. That is solely for those weird people who will do anything to unlock an achievement.

[Gerrr]

Sounds cool! Exploring is not everyones priority of course, but I would definitely like this.

[MrKupo]

I'd love that. It's not like it will make the game unbalanced by adding a bit of obstacle coursing to the game. Games that make you go off the beaten path is always a nice touch.

[NefarioCall]

im getting my copy 2 day id like play along side you

I'm on Isle of Janthir with the same name as here. Currently running around Caledon Forest region.
... just in case anyone else happens to be on the same server.