Zone Transition?

[Gidonoidon_Sur]

I wish, and this probably won't happen for a very long time (or ever). That the zones were much smaller, and had distinct landscapes monsters weather etc. And there should be many more. Similar to XI.

Now this is really wishful thinking, but I hope they are unique too. I remember how blown my mind was the first time I got access to Sea in XI. Monsters below and above me? Giant flying things...? = Awesome.

[Len]

In case anyone had not read, the developers will be making map revisions.

Q: What is your favorite zone in FFXIV?

Yoshida: Central Mor Dhona, where the remains of the fallen airship can be seen. The place oozes with a sense of adventure. I'm hoping to create more places like this when we revise the map - and make sure there's plenty of content to compliment them!

─ The Community Team interview Yoshida in Japan

Hard to tell, but The Black Shroud appears to be surrounded by desert outside of its' borders.

[SupaCancerion]

Since the issue is really only present between Thanalan and Black Shroud, the easiest way I can think to address the issue (but not the best by any means) is to separate both areas by a huge mountain range that would occlude both regions from each other. Then the transition could simply be a tunnel through the mountain.

It's easier to imagine desert and rain forest on opposite sides on a mountain.

I would have to disagree with you and say that the problem is everywhere. The same thing happens when moving between Coerthas and Mor Dhona, Black Shroud to Coerthas, Thanalan to Mor Dhona, vice versa. The difference in scenery changes radically and abrubtly in each case.

However, the idea of a mountain range separating them is great. That's something that could very easily be done and would fix the problem quite nicely. I'm up for anything that would help make the transition seem more natural and realistic, and flesh out the world more.

[Vawn]

When I played the beta and saw that each nation was only one zone a part, I was under the impression that it was just for testing purposes. I could have sworn when the actual game was finally released, there would intermediate zones in-between the nations. It just seems so awkward for different nations to be so close together. People told me I was crazy and that the nations are actually this close. I guess "people" were right, and I was wrong, but I still think it feels wrong. The world feels way too small. Even if it takes a while to run through these "copypastga" areas.

When I first made it to Bastok and Windurst from San d'Oria I felt so far away from "home". It felt a like a really long way. It took me weeks just to get further than the Dunes and when I did finally make it to Bastok and the surrounding areas, I felt like I stumbled upon other player's game. In FFXIV, the three nations almost just feel like 3 areas of the same city. I image this will be even more valid once instant airship rides will connect them.

[Korbei]

I would have to disagree with you and say that the problem is everywhere.

You make good points. However if the mountain range idea is implemented around all of the Black Shroud, that solves the issue for Black Shroud/Mor Dhona and Black Shroud/Coerthas.

Then you need to devise another way to deal with Thanalan/Mor Dhona and Mor Dhona/Coerthas.

I think the original idea remains simple and effectual.