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The Importance of Interest
It's been a little while since my last "on making a game" installment, and I'm in a mood to talk about interesting things... so why not Points of Interest in light of my current pet project Everwyld?
I'm in the midst of developing a world that has been truly abandoned, where players have few intelligent entities to interact with - no people, gods, robots, or holograms. This is, in a sense, the survival game of survival games: players will only have the tools they can create and knowledge they can accumulate for themselves. And if I'm being honest, I'm taking a not-insignificant amount of inspiration from Subnautica, since they made this vision an excellent reality.
(Going forward, blanket spoiler warning for locations in Subnautica. If you haven't played it and don't suffer from thalassophobia, you certainly should.)
The first challenge, and one that's doubly difficult in the analog format I'll be running this game while I develop the setting, if building player investment through their interactions with the world. Different genres and titles accomplish this in different ways.
The classic survival-crafting game Minecraft has kept players invested over its service life through the addition of new features, biomes, mechanics, the introduction of multiplayer, and a thriving, supported modding community. The multiplayer survival-crafting FPS Rust created interest for players in the world through the inclusion of other players, and the option to cooperate or resort to every-man-for-themself anarchy. Subnautica accomplishes this investment of players in the world through the inclusion of alien environments. This doesn't just mean the alien lifeforms, but the concept of the deep sea and what the various environments look like - which are often shockingly accurate excluding the giant man-eating fish - are alien to so many people who don't have the means or guts to dive through the deep ocean, and I count myself among them.
Something all of these games (and more) include to further create a player interest in the world and exploring it, though, are points of interest. None of them are unbridled wilderness. Minecraft's structures range from thriving villages, to abandoned mineshafts and shipwrecks, to the strongholds. Even the Nether and End dimensions have their own native structures. Subnautica has not only the various debris fields from the Aurora, but the Enforcement Platform, the submarine alien facilities, and the Degasi bases. In Rust, a variety of monuments dot the landscape with various traits, loot, and benefits.
Not only do these structures and points of interest enhance the world, but they change how the player will interact with it. A Subnautica player may build bases near major resource deposits or repurpose existing structures for their benefit. A Rust player may establish their base near an easy resource cache, like the farmable Underwater Rocks. In Minecraft players may use large structures as a base, or as a point of reference when navigating the functionally infinite world.
So what kind of points of interest will I be including in Everwyld? Well, as I said, the world was abandoned. It's a region largely reclaimed by nature, so much so that the artificial blemishes have all but faded. My players will start in a place truly devoid of signs of settlement, a beautiful and serene glade... (which I've taken the liberty of rendering in Unreal Engine 5 here)
Nearby are most of what they will need to survive: a source of flowing water, a game run that cuts through the forest, but what encourages them to venture from this serene space will be their curiosity as to what happened to them, and how they can hope to get home. This world is full of natural dangers, but if they brave them and survive they may find the remnants of a village where the stones jutting from the ground make odd squared angles, or a monolith that a tree has grown to encompass.
Mayhap they'll uncover something better preserved underground, or through some advanced means, that will hold answers and tools for them to delve deeper into the mystery and find their way home.
Until next time!
#game development#level design#world design#Rust#subnautica#minecraft#unreal engine#survival#mystery#nature#Everwyld
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Everwyld by Felix Ortiz <<Cover art for Bernie Anés Paz's next project "Everwyld">> https://felixortiz.artstation.com/
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reads 🌸💛
2 Nov 21 update
here are some of my recent reads and current reads!!! 🥺
I flew through Warrior of the Wild in one night & gave it 5 stars because I love the characters' journeys of inner growth and facing your fears -- and also lowkey of systemic reform 👀
Make It Sweet -- I'm 50 pages in and it has already captured my heart. I looove the concept, and love the execution so far. Already have a feeling it'll be a 4- or 5-star 💖💫
Everwylde - sequel to Eversong, which I read not too long ago. So far pretty interesting, and I really like the female protagonist Ravyn (more than Leoma in the first book).
The Iron Raven (The Iron Fey: Evenfall #1) -- I borrowed it without realizing it was part of the Iron Fey world.... and I own the Iron Fey books just..... I have not read them yet..... but I delved into it anyways and so far I really like it. I like Puck, I like Nyx, I like Kierran, I like the world and the writing !!!
And I'm 82% into All of Us Villains now - will finish it tonight ! Despite my massive pile of final assignments.....
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#EVERWYLDE by @dgauthor is LIVE! Get your copy today! ⠀⠀ Amazon: http://amzn.to/2HHTjNj iBooks: https://apple.co/2HIj4xc Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2HD00QU Kobo: http://bit.ly/2HHyOjX Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/2HGw7iH ⠀⠀ — ABOUT: ⠀⠀ Re-enter the world of New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant’s spellbinding Kindred series. To live in the light they hunt in the dark… Strong-willed and cunning, Ravyn was taken in as a child by witch Hunters and raised her to be the best of the best. When she receives word that the witch who murdered her family and ripped apart her world is nearby, Ravyn begins her hunt. In her quest to locate the witch, she finds her pursuit impeded again and again by a gorgeous and powerful man. But she won’t be denied and intends to do whatever is necessary to complete her mission. But the Coven is more dangerous than ever, and Ravyn may not be enough to thwart their latest endeavor. Carac has spent years building his army and winning wars to become known as one of the greatest knights of his time. But he holds a big secret. Everything he’s worked for comes into question when he’s faced with a threat he hadn’t known existed. He suddenly finds his mission changed after he’s approached by the most spirited and beautiful woman he’s ever seen. It’s soon apparent that priceless antiquities are only the beginning of what they’re fighting for—and what they stand to lose. —> #Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2HHApWV ⠀⠀ •• •• •• •• ⠀⠀ #NewBook #NewBooks #BookBirthday #BookRelease #TBR #bookish #NewRelease #Reading #BookLaunch #Bookstagram #ReadersofInstagram #ReadersofIG #NewRelease #BookThings #BookLove #Readers #ReadingList #BookList #BookRecs #InkSlingerPR
#newrelease#everwylde#readinglist#readers#bookthings#booklist#newbook#newbooks#reading#tbr#readersofinstagram#bookbirthday#bookrelease#bookrecs#goodreads#readersofig#booklaunch#bookish#booklove#inkslingerpr#bookstagram
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Happy Cover Reveal Day to @donnagrantauthor
EVERWYLDE (The Kindred #2)
- an all-new paranormal romance is coming April 16th, 2018!
Preorder Today!
Amazon→ http://amzn.to/2CjHRWt
BAM→ https://dgrant.co/2z0JAA5BN→ https://dgrant.co/2knu4plNook→ https://dgrant.co/2jwJfk3
Kobo→ https://dgrant.co/2BzU1griBooks→ https://dgrant.co/2yfm92x
Goodreads→ https://dgrant.co/2jORqoB
Add to GoodReads→ http://bit.ly/2iajtkE
To live in the light, they hunt in the dark… Strong-willed and cunning, Ravyn was taken in as a child by a group of witch Hunters who raised her to be the best of the best. When she receives word that the witch who murdered her mother and ripped apart her world is nearby, Ravyn begins her hunt. In her quest to locate the witch, she finds her hunt impeded again and again by a gorgeous and powerful man. But she won’t be denied and intends to do whatever is necessary to complete her assignment. But the Coven is more dangerous than ever, and Ravyn may not be enough to thwart their latest endeavor.
Despite his bravery, Sir Carac is content to spend his days in the tavern when he’s not leading his men. But when a skirmish breaks out that threatens the marquis’ precious holdings, Carac is sent to the front lines to head off the attack. He suddenly finds his mission changed after he's approached by the most spirited and beautiful woman he has ever seen. But trust doesn’t come easily to the spitfire, and his loyalties make it hard to do anything but follow orders. It’s soon apparent that priceless antiquities are only the beginning of what they’re fighting for―and what they stand to lose.
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{RELEASE DAY BLITZ} EVERWYLDE by Donna Grant - @donna_grant @inkslingerpr
{RELEASE DAY BLITZ} EVERWYLDE by Donna Grant – @donna_grant @inkslingerpr
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Everwylde by Donna Grant: #BookRelease
Everwylde by Donna Grant: #BookRelease
Who doesn’t need more historical paranormal romances in their life? Anyone who says no is totally missing out on a good thing. Everwylde by Donna Grant is available today. Ravyn is a witch hunter. She is always on the hunt for the witch who killed her family. I got nervous for a minute. Then I remembered: I’m a good witch. No one will be chasing me with a crossbow. Still, I cannot wait to…
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Cover Reveal...Everwylde by Donna Grant
Cover Reveal…Everwylde by Donna Grant
Everwylde, an all-new paranormal romance from Donna Grant is is coming April 16th! Everwylde by Donna Grant Genre: Paranormal Romance To live in the light, they hunt in the dark… Strong-willed and cunning, Ravyn was taken in as a child by a group of witch Hunters who raised her to be the best of the best. When she receives word that the witch who murdered her mother and ripped apart her world is…
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#EVERWYLDE by @dgauthor is coming tomorrow! Preorder yours! ⠀⠀ Amazon: http://amzn.to/2HHTjNj iBooks: https://apple.co/2HIj4xc Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2HD00QU Kobo: http://bit.ly/2HHyOjX Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/2HGw7iH ⠀⠀ — ABOUT: ⠀⠀ Re-enter the world of New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant’s spellbinding Kindred series. To live in the light they hunt in the dark… Strong-willed and cunning, Ravyn was taken in as a child by witch Hunters and raised her to be the best of the best. When she receives word that the witch who murdered her family and ripped apart her world is nearby, Ravyn begins her hunt. In her quest to locate the witch, she finds her pursuit impeded again and again by a gorgeous and powerful man. But she won’t be denied and intends to do whatever is necessary to complete her mission. But the Coven is more dangerous than ever, and Ravyn may not be enough to thwart their latest endeavor. Carac has spent years building his army and winning wars to become known as one of the greatest knights of his time. But he holds a big secret. Everything he’s worked for comes into question when he’s faced with a threat he hadn’t known existed. He suddenly finds his mission changed after he’s approached by the most spirited and beautiful woman he’s ever seen. It’s soon apparent that priceless antiquities are only the beginning of what they’re fighting for—and what they stand to lose. —> #Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2HHApWV ⠀⠀ •• •• •• •• ⠀⠀ #Bookish #BookRecs #TBR #MustRead #ReadingList #Bookthings #readersofIG #TeaserTime #booklist #BookTeaser #Bookstagram #ReadersofInstagram #ReadersofIG #BookTeasers #bibliophile #BookLove #Readers #InkSlingerPR #BookNerd #DonnaGrant
#inkslingerpr#tbr#readersofig#readersofinstagram#bibliophile#bookteasers#mustread#bookstagram#donnagrant#bookrecs#bookteaser#readinglist#goodreads#booklove#bookish#booklist#bookthings#everwylde#teasertime#booknerd#readers
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#EVERWYLDE by @dgauthor is coming in 3 Days! Preorder yours! ⠀⠀ Amazon: http://amzn.to/2HHTjNj iBooks: https://apple.co/2HIj4xc Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2HD00QU Kobo: http://bit.ly/2HHyOjX Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/2HGw7iH ⠀⠀ — ABOUT: ⠀⠀ Re-enter the world of New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant’s spellbinding Kindred series. To live in the light they hunt in the dark… Strong-willed and cunning, Ravyn was taken in as a child by witch Hunters and raised her to be the best of the best. When she receives word that the witch who murdered her family and ripped apart her world is nearby, Ravyn begins her hunt. In her quest to locate the witch, she finds her pursuit impeded again and again by a gorgeous and powerful man. But she won’t be denied and intends to do whatever is necessary to complete her mission. But the Coven is more dangerous than ever, and Ravyn may not be enough to thwart their latest endeavor. Carac has spent years building his army and winning wars to become known as one of the greatest knights of his time. But he holds a big secret. Everything he’s worked for comes into question when he’s faced with a threat he hadn’t known existed. He suddenly finds his mission changed after he’s approached by the most spirited and beautiful woman he’s ever seen. It’s soon apparent that priceless antiquities are only the beginning of what they’re fighting for—and what they stand to lose. —> #Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2HHApWV ⠀⠀ •• •• •• •• ⠀⠀ #Bookish #BookRecs #TBR #MustRead #ReadingList #Bookthings #readersofIG #TeaserTime #booklist #BookTeaser #Bookstagram #ReadersofInstagram #ReadersofIG #BookTeasers #bibliophile #BookLove #Readers #InkSlingerPR #BookNerd #DonnaGrant
#readersofig#bookrecs#booknerd#bookteaser#teasertime#bookstagram#readinglist#tbr#donnagrant#everwylde#booklist#goodreads#readersofinstagram#bibliophile#booklove#bookish#bookthings#bookteasers#readers#inkslingerpr#mustread
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