As you journey through the game, you’ll immerse yourself in diverse cultures, each buzzing with its own beliefs and values, which truly breathe life into the experience. Take the Aedyrans for instance. They’re a society deeply rooted in notions of rightful rule, leadership, and structure. Now, they find themselves in Eora’s untamed frontier. How will they navigate this new landscape and mingle with the natives? It could be as subtle as a tweak in their attire or embracing a new lifestyle. This “Wild West” calls for adaptability and in the rugged Living Lands, inflexibility could be a stumbling block for survival.
Focusing on spirituality, someone who chiefly worships Woedica would hold law, order, justice, and legitimate rule in the highest regard. On the other hand, if Abydon, the Smith, is more your deity, it doesn’t mean ignoring other gods, but rather it highlights a preference for values like industriousness, hard work, and dedication. According to Patel, this allows each group or faction to be infused with distinctive principles, giving players a crystal-clear idea of their motivations and ethos.
This thematic richness is evident in both architecture and costume design, where the two are so seamlessly integrated. Dennis Presnell, the Lead Environment Artist, shares, “This world isn’t just depicted in the game, but it feels like a living, breathing entity during development itself. The process is so iterative and as team members pitch new assets, ingenious ideas, or fresh storytelling angles, everyone builds upon one another’s contributions. This collaboration births a world full of variety, resulting in a big, cohesive, and genuinely authentic experience.”
