Storyline: Geographical Names

CidHighwind · 2011-07-16, 12:16 AM

This may seem a minor point to some, but I know that one thing that would make this massively open world (HUZZAH!), one that has been very carefully handcrafted (HUZZAH!), feel even more immersive? How about naming some of these places on the map.

PS1 has landmarks for interesting geographical formations. From the sounds of it, PS2 has the potential for a lot of these unique geographical locations. Wouldn't it feel infinitely more meaningful (beyond just capturing that unobtanium resource you've been after for a week) if you now, for example, held Mirror Lake, right next to the Twin Spires?

Obviously the more of these specifically named location the better - if you feel like you're fighting not just for resources, but for a PLACE, I know that I personally would feel 10x more involved and into the world of Auraxis. This would take barely ANY budget, and perhaps only a week, if that, of time to brainstorm and include within the game, and would add so much to the value of the world.

Additionally, having named locations would allow for squad/outfit leaders to quickly and easily reference where certain raids/attacks would take place. Instead of simply "drop somewhere in Grid A7", they could say "drop in Grid A7, on top of the Marris' Plateau, just west of the Great Salt Sea" or some such.

Thoughts?

Bags · 2011-07-16, 12:18 AM

Sure, why not.

krnasaur · 2011-07-16, 12:25 AM

I like it.

Tikuto · 2011-07-16, 04:06 AM

Yeah I like it.

While there may not be an old Sanctuary, I still like the idea of VS's homeland being named "Sanctuary" nevertheless - just a name.

VS homeland: "Sanctuary". Religious and spiritual world.
TR homeland: "Metropolis". Developed and blighted world.
NC homeland: "Bastion" (Stronghold). Rebellious and righteous world.

Volw · 2011-07-16, 04:29 AM

I'd much more prefer 8 digit grid reference, but this sounds good as well. Preferably both.

Manitou · 2011-07-16, 11:27 AM

Yes indeed, nice idea! This would also lend itself to memorable battles being named after certain areas.

Old grizzled PS2 veteran to another:
"Remember that day we held off a column of Vanguards and infantry in the valley near Twin Spires? Man! The Battle of Twin Spires was epic!"

Soothsayer · 2011-07-16, 11:45 AM

Yeah I think this would be cool.

I think they shouldn't try too hard to make places sound super epic though, usually it gets a little forced.

If everything is epic then nothing will seem epic...

CidHighwind · 2011-07-16, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Soothsayer

I think they shouldn't try too hard to make places sound super epic though, usually it gets a little forced.

If everything is epic then nothing will seem epic...

Agreed, all it really needs is to have labels on the map that sound like real places - real places make it more immersive than epic names. The Grant River, Musk Bay, the ruins of the city of Randall or some such. Really quite simple to come up with names if you put you mind to it!

wildcat140679 · 2011-07-17, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Volw

I'd much more prefer 8 digit grid reference, but this sounds good as well. Preferably both.

PS1 had a good grid system but the area one grid covered was to large. Having that grid cut up in 9 sub sections would be a welcome sight.

Hamma · 2011-07-16, 11:51 AM

Great idea!

BorisBlade · 2011-07-16, 04:37 PM

Ooh i really like this, they have been removin alot of the immersion stuff from PS1 and it was feelin more and more just like some dull instanced zerg match from CoD. This could really help to make it feel more like a real world.

Valdae · 2011-07-16, 07:59 PM

A friend of mine from my old outfit wrote a story on our forums about a bridge battle we fought in. He called it the 'Battle Over Pamba River', and even though we haven't played PS in years we still talk about it to this day. Giving names to things gives places more value and nostalgia, as oppose to just being a nameless patch of land.

Expanding on your idea, wouldn't it be great to let dedicated members of the PS community come up with some names? I think from judging some of the cave names from CC, that SoE could do with some fresh input anyways..

**Malorn** · 2011-07-16, 08:06 PM

I'd love for the strategic map to have an optional toggle of names of territories. Geographical names or landmark names are all great for helping coordinate.

We still need precise labeling of hexes, however...we can't replace that, but having them named things I can be more general and people can know what I'm talking about without having to go look up specific grids. General regions are probably sufficient for most communication.

Names of specific peaks like Mt. Cyssor and Gunuku Island and what not would be nice. Naming forests, plains, mountain ridges, peaks, islands, bridges, etc would all be great for landmarks.

CidHighwind · 2011-07-16, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Malorn

I'd love for the strategic map to have an optional toggle of names of territories. Geographical names or landmark names are all great for helping coordinate.

We still need precise labeling of hexes, however...we can't replace that, but having them named things I can be more general and people can know what I'm talking about without having to go look up specific grids. General regions are probably sufficient for most communication.

Names of specific peaks like Mt. Cyssor and Gunuku Island and what not would be nice. Naming forests, plains, mountain ridges, peaks, islands, bridges, etc would all be great for landmarks.

I was thinking something similar - a simple toggle would make it disappear, or at least fade away for those who are seeking a more general game-play experience, and toggling them on would allow for more tactical and visceral experience.

Additionally, I agree completely with Valdae - Having the PSU crew/members come up with a submittable list of geographical names would be a tremendous show of productivity/faith/goodwill on their inclusion of us as a community in the project. Not to jump the gun here, but Is there a way we can get a confirmation or go-ahead from a dev on this? Hamma, should we maybe start a separate thread?

**Malorn** · 2011-07-16, 09:00 PM

I think we should do that once we see some continent renders. Its important to also know the cultural background theme to the continent.

For example, Solsar had an Egyptian theme, so I would expect that on the Solsar continent we draw from Egyptian mythology for our regional and landmark names.

Without knowing those themes and seeing continent renders I think it would be hard to create that immersive experience with the names. We'd be stabbing rather blindly.

We could take existing planetside themes, continents, and names and come up with some examples though. They will map to at least a few zones. We know that they are working on Searhus, and I'm sure it will have a similar look to it and possibly the same cultural inspiration.