Area redesign - Discussion thread

[OMEGA_HACK]

I just don't like how it seems like we are missing entire zones between the current zones.

If you don't know what I am talking about look up that old world map (from pre-release you can find it on the net easily) then go to a FFXIV map website (yg.com or ffxivmaps.com[something like that]) and look at the differences, for example.

Thanalan <-> Black Shroud looks like a good distance from each other. Which makes me wonder, does the Black Shroud really take up the entire Eastern side of Eorzea? (because that is what it is doing now with how it is set up. Also where is that bay at to the west of Ul'dah? I don't ever remember going there...in fact it doesn't really exist in the current map! Also the fact that there are mountains seemly surrounding Ul'dah when it's supposed to be in the middle of a desert, why not let up roam 360* around it? As I matter of fact I feel that the city should be slightly elevated above everything in its nearby vicinity to give a better vista when approaching it (more of that, 'OMG there is it!' feel than just a city hidden because of some small mountains, this isn't Bastok)

Also why can't we reach the cape (southern end of Thanalan's region) ok I suppose I can answer myself and say "expansion areas" so understandable, but to turn the southern area into a maze of mountain-like paths doesn't make sense since the true world map stats its a desert. So I hope stuff like this gets addressed when they remake the maps.

Also if you look on the world map there is a river, supposedly right before you get to the docks where the boat is to take you to Limsa Lominsa (in West Thanalan), this river is so labeled as the Ginderfoot River but lacks an appearance in the game, in fact it's all together disappeared! How come? This could have added so much to the lack-luster area of Thanalan as River = fresh water = green grass and plants of color to off-set the 90% tans and browns of that region.

But I linger in Thanalan too much, what about La Noscea? Well for one there is supposedly a giant volcano there (if you look at the collective map the giant center where you cannot run through is supposed to be it), yet its so massive and we don't really get any good sight lines of it. (something to consider when remaking this map) It could even tie into a village town somehow, like:

The town uses a stray lava stream that runs into the ocean to make Eorzea's finest hot springs, promised to have healing powers for all kinds of aches, or something along those lines. But something to offset the 90% of green/blue/gray that region loves. Good color schemes come from minimal usage of colors but when you make all the colors on the same side of the wheel you get bland looking environments (with a throw in of reds you have cool color, cool color, hot color; a dynamic choose to liven the scenery)

As far as The Black Shroud goes however, I really hope (although it is a beautiful zone in terms of detail) that you add more hot colors or have an absence of colors (area with only dead trees, so you have dirt and burnt trees, or dead trees that have lost most of the vivid color. Also, something to consider: Make an upper level to the trees, XIII, X, and XII all had this in them and its something I really loved! At the bottom make it where you can pretty much B-line from point to point but up top make it the labyrinth of tree branches in the canopy of the trees, and make it where you would have to use the tree tops to get to certain areas (crossing a big river or something of the like) but don't make it too dependent on the labyrinth, this could also allow for beautiful vistas (assuming some portions take you to the top of the trees) where you can see the ground like an ocean of green leaves with a azure blue skyline and mountains (or whatever is in the distance) in the distance. Also it would be neat if some portions of the tree tops area that you could see below you and see monsters and players running by, it would be fun and return that forest feel without being a total labyrinth.

Anywho, long post is long but those are my thoughts. On the other two zones, since I don't really frequent them too often (although I have traversed them to all ends) I think those are the two most right zones created (and lack the most content how ironic).


TL;DR:
Have a dynamic color choice (cool, cool, hot color scheme; hot, hot, cool color scheme)
Make special "Vistas" while exploring to make the areas memorable
Make the maps actually work/represent the world map you released before the game was released