Does Flying Kill Immersion?

[Gyson]

I would have preferred gliding, much like Firefall has, with thermal updraft dotting the map for temporary altitude boosts. Basically, a setup that requires a little personal skill to stay airborne while crossing significant portions of the map after launching from higher points of terrain. In that way flying would have been more of a mini-game in of itself, rather than just mindless risk-free movement.

Oh well.

[Gilraen]

Flying killed my immersion about as much as horses did.

[DPZ2]

The work necessary to obtain flying on a single character is huge, incorporating both quests and world discovery in the new zones, as well as participation in what I consider the 'end story' for each zone. Those breathtaking vistas are there for those who want to experience them from the ground. Somehow, though, the vistas aren't as breathtaking during obscuring weather events and night-time.

I enjoyed every minute of exploring each zone as I went to level 60. I didn't rush getting flight in each area until it was already fully appreciated. This is what the developers appear to have been aiming for in game play.

As I move a second job to 60, and the story can no longer be replayed, I find that flight provides the same advantage as a ground mount in older areas -- a means to get me from FATE to FATE, from Hunt to Hunt, as I level up.

I believe the game struck the right balance. Flight does not cause a loss of immersion. Familiarity does that all too well, flight or no.

[NovaLevossida]

Immersion is wasting my time not having teleport points in every city and making me ride ground mounts everywhere wasting even more time to get to locations. Anyone who's done a relic quest knows the pain of not having a teleport point at Hyrstmill.

Flying is an agreeable concession that saves you time by only allowing you to fly after you've walked everywhere in the zone so immersion is preserved for the initial trips through an area.

I don't see the issue.

[Greven]

Nope, because the new areas are designed to work with flying: they are wider and filled with views and details for the flying players, not to mention you can still move on the ground.

Meeting a character with bad flashy mix of colour in what resembles real life glamoured clothes named something like Cloudstrif ffomega ruins the immersion. LOL

[Umo]

Lanosea

AZYS LA

CHURCHING MIST

I can't take you seriously. I just can't. :/

[Talianore]

For me, flying enhances immersion. I am much more likely to explore an interesting it of scenery surrounded by monsters than if I were on the ground. And I like the way SE does it - it makes you run around on the ground for a bit before getting to fly.

As for WoW, they designed a gorgeous world that was highly annoying to get around after you've done it a few times and most importantly, there was no incentive to go out into the world. If anything, garrisons and lack of casual content killed any interest people had for the game and so, they unsubbed.

And as a druid in that game, lack of flying killed my immersion. I, a master of nature and able to shift into various animals including a bird, now cannot shift into my bird form and fly?

:|

[Sarynth]

Since you love the scenery, op, might I suggest using flying to reach new vantage points? I personally enjoy flying as seeing how vast some of the zones are can be breathtaking. That said I think immersion could be increased by making airships and boats real time.

[Meirii]

Nope cause now you can immersivly touch the sky

[Dererk]

Hmmmm hard to say really. In a way yes but really no.

I was in such a rush to find the quests to get the air currants because lets admit it people before you hit 60 on your first job this is the most annoying thing finding the hidden quests. I think that helped to kill immersion in a way. But flying no.

Once you finally have it your abble to get to some great places and see some great views.

Top of zenith in the Churning mists is one of my favorites.