Zone Aesthetics

[FilthyDisco]

Honestly i'd rather have small, unique zones. Where every zone has a Final Fantasy feeling to it, a different theme for each zone, etc. I'm sure many of you will agree with me here.

[northernsky]

I am looking forward to splitting the zones up into themed areas...
But I do like the theme of each zone now..... The thing is, that theme should only be used in 1/3 of each zone.. with 2 other themes per zone being added

They stated several times that they plan to include 3-4 very characteristic zones in every region to favor uniqueness and build a stronger theme.

Imagine if every zone had 3-4 Mor D'hona-like sites with the fallen airship entangled in a dragon's bones, or the crags from XI, or a volcano etc. I don't think they would need complete redesign, just make sure to integrate these spectacular new elements well in the current landscape with a form of progression within the region between those different zones.

[Rydin]

They stated several times that they plan to include 3-4 very characteristic zones in every region to favor uniqueness and build a stronger theme.

Imagine if every zone had 3-4 Mor D'hona-like sites with the fallen airship entangled in a dragon's bones, or the crags from XI, or a volcano etc. I don't think they would need complete redesign, just make sure to integrate these spectacular new elements well in the current landscape with a form of progression in the region between those different zones.

I know.. and we've mentioned that in te thread... I just wanted peoples opinions on what they like to see in a zone

[northernsky]

I know.. and we've mentioned that in te thread... I just wanted peoples opinions on what they like to see in a zone

Yeah initially I quoted your opening post but in the time I finished my post a few others popped.

What I wanted to do was to highlight that saying that current themes are nice but should cover maybe 1/3 of the current regions seemed pretty accurate since they plan to introduce 3-4 strong themes in each region.

Then I replied to your opening point: I think that including said themes in the current regions would greatly improve aesthetic without having to completely redesign the maps.

[Platinumstorm]

Yeah initially I quoted your opening post but in the time I finished my post a few others popped.

What I wanted to do was to highlight that saying that current themes are nice but should cover maybe 1/3 of the current regions seemed pretty accurate since they plan to introduce 3-4 strong themes in each region.

Then I replied to your opening point: I think that including said themes in the current regions would greatly improve aesthetic without having to completely redesign the maps.

One interesting thing is how they talk about 3-4 themes in each region when they do the redesign.

Look at Thanalan though:
Main area - trunk trees.
East - Desert
North/South - Canyons
North - Ceruleum Towers
West - Low ravines

Are those what constitute a theme? If that's the case then Thanalan already meets their requirement for themes, but lacks assets within each theme. Or is a theme supposed to be the objective of the area?

[northernsky]

One interesting thing is how they talk about 3-4 themes in each region when they do the redesign.

Look at Thanalan though:
Main area - trunk trees.
East - Desert
North/South - Canyons
North - Ceruleum Towers
West - Low ravines

Are those what constitute a theme? If that's the case then Thanalan already meets their requirement for themes, but lacks assets within each theme. Or is a theme supposed to be the objective of the area?

Here is a part of an interview with YoshiP and Iwao (the map designer it seems):

Famitsu: Can you explain in more details about the large scale change being made to the map?

Yoshida: The method is already made and sample is also done so now working on the level design and work on the amount/resources. For concept it will be memorable place where once you step in you will not forget. For each zone/area having about 3 themes is the goal.

Iwao: It will function as a landmark

Taken from Reinhart's thread: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...l=1#post281974

Now I'm not so sure but the 1st time I read it I focused on "memorable place" more than "theme" so I hoped it would be more like something stunning that melts in the zone theme rather than a different type of landscape that is the theme like you describe in your post.

[Alexis_Arteme]

what do you guys think?

I think you have too many 50's.

Aside from that, I'd like it to be subtle, but have many "POI's" like SWG used to have, places to run out to and visit. Also, "completely random" spawning chests and NMs would be great - that is, nothing campable. Even small, soloable dungeons that adjust based on party size and rank could be done this way.

I think SE has done an OK job with the beginning zones being bland, and the ending zones being cool. Now they just need to keep adding reasons for us to go to said zones.

[Rydin]

Yeah initially I quoted your opening post but in the time I finished my post a few others popped.

What I wanted to do was to highlight that saying that current themes are nice but should cover maybe 1/3 of the current regions seemed pretty accurate since they plan to introduce 3-4 strong themes in each region.

Then I replied to your opening point: I think that including said themes in the current regions would greatly improve aesthetic without having to completely redesign the maps.

So do you think the redesign will be a complete remapping also? or just aesthetic touches and removing a few copy/pasted rock faces

I think you have too many 50's.

pre-1.18 leve static... 8 people doing the big 8 religiously for like 6 months.....
I started at launch and my first 50 (Glad) took like 2.5 months... but each one after that was faster and faster

Aside from that, I'd like it to be subtle, but have many "POI's" like SWG used to have, places to run out to and visit. Also, "completely random" spawning chests and NMs would be great - that is, nothing campable. Even small, soloable dungeons that adjust based on party size and rank could be done this way.

I think SE has done an OK job with the beginning zones being bland, and the ending zones being cool. Now they just need to keep adding reasons for us to go to said zones.

Yea, there are cool ruins and MOBs in some out of the way places... and no reason to go there at all...

[Neptune]

The copypasta was the reason for the backlash. I for one appreciate the "frontieresque" feel of the zones, and I think a certain amount of relative boredom accompanies that. I think it's something they probably intended to expand upon in time, but Tanaka's approach to dealing with memory limitations was unacceptable.

[Ferth]

Whenever I think about the state the game was in when it launched I get an overriding feeling that everything that was in place was rushed out to give the appearance of a finished game.

The game was all facade with no depth. From the horrible leve system to the copy pasta maps, everything gave me the impression that they needed to show someone something that looked like a finished game and when whoever it was saw it they said "Great, lets ship it."

That being said I don't think every inch of the landscape needs to be spectacular and amazing, I just don't want to go exploring and find 50 caves that are all identical. Or see the same rock formation strewn across the landscape but facing different directions.

I am all for the complete redesign of the areas... and if they end up having largely the same aesthetic feel I won't mind... just so long as when I find a cave I've never seen before it doesn't end up looking like the last 10 caves I've found.