Greetings, Adventurers!
Brimstone Sands, Everfall, and Monarch’s Bluffs are just a few of the zones where players continue to create their own memorable experiences in New World. But what about the experiences that created those same zones? Each territory is crafted through conversations around questions like what’s something awesome we haven’t done before, what would look cool through the lens of Aeternum, and how will this make our narrative even more immersive. The process actually begins by working backwards.
Explore the philosophy, elements, and stories behind zone creation in the video below.
The Role of Concept Mood Explorations in Building a Zone
Senior Concept Artist Stuart Kim walked us through some of the zone creation process:
“Concept artists use shape language, color, material variety, and lighting in these mood explorations to evoke a desired emotion,” Stuart said. “For example, how do we amplify awe in the player when they see a majestic vista? Or perhaps we could create a stronger sense of apprehension using low-lighting & atmosphere in a dark, supernatural location? At the early stage, we’re not focusing too much on specific designs, but trying to establish the overall tone of the scenery and using our tools to achieve those results.”
“We’re also attempting to add in a sense of intrigue through directed compositions that may depict figures or the state of an object or place. For instance, you might see a settlement after it was destroyed or perhaps over-grown through abandonment and the passing of time. These visual cues provide clues as to why or how it became that way. It may even stir up more questions, which is a good thing. The team worked closely with Narrative and Design throughout production to develop the look of the world and contribute to the storytelling of Aeternum through concept art.”
What is your favorite point of interest or activity in Aeternum? Let us know on the forums, Reddit, or YouTube comments section. Thanks for your support! We’ll see you in Aeternum.
