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The Making of Middle Downs

Discussion in 'Developer Work and Blog posts' started by SorcerousSteve, Aug 3, 2017.

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  1. SorcerousSteve

    SorcerousSteve Developer Emeritus

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    Hey guys! SorcerousSteve here to give you a sneak peek on my latest map, The Middle Downs!
    The Middle Downs are located in South Paladis just south of Highvale in a rolling hills region.
    Serene and peaceful the area is lush, but scattered throughout the region are mysterious burial mounds built hundreds of years ago.
    What mysteries do these burial mounds hold?
    Is there a link between their location/orientation and what puzzles/traps may lay inside?
    [​IMG]

    The Western Mound
    [​IMG]

    An abandoned village in the Middle Downs moments before sunset.
    [​IMG]

    Another burial mound located to the South.
    [​IMG]

    A lowland bog cuts through the center of the Middle Downs.
    [​IMG]
    Stay tuned for more updates on the Middle Downs!

    Esteben Zaldivar
    Level Designer
     
    SorcerousSteve, Aug 3, 2017
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  2. Dereck Visaard

    Dereck Visaard Avatar

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    Looks fantastic!!
     
    Dereck Visaard, Aug 3, 2017
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  3. Jaanelle DeJure

    Jaanelle DeJure Avatar

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    Woweezowee can't wait to check it out!
     
    Jaanelle DeJure, Aug 3, 2017
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  4. Proteus Tempest

    Proteus Tempest Avatar

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    Time to explore!!
     
    Proteus Tempest, Aug 3, 2017
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  5. Barugon

    Barugon Avatar

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    Is this where the hobbits live?
     
    Barugon, Aug 3, 2017
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  6. Daxxe Diggler

    Daxxe Diggler Avatar

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    Another awesome scene to explore! Great job Esteben.
     
    Daxxe Diggler, Aug 3, 2017
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  7. Proteus Tempest

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    We just love the hobbitses.
     
    Proteus Tempest, Aug 3, 2017
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  8. Nataurz

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    My precious
     
    Nataurz, Aug 3, 2017
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  9. Jens_T

    Jens_T Avatar

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    Really beautiful. Sometimes I wish the amazing scenes were just free to wander around - without MoBs to kill/hide from :)
     
    Jens_T, Aug 4, 2017
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  10. Aurelius Silverson

    Aurelius Silverson Avatar

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    Interesting, this is one of my weaker characters favoured hunting spots so I'm interested to visit the updated version!
     
    Aurelius Silverson, Aug 4, 2017
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  11. Stryker Sparhawk

    Stryker Sparhawk Avatar

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    The nazghul came to live in the Shire?
     
    Stryker Sparhawk, Aug 4, 2017
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  12. Hornpipe

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    That zone looks really good !
     
    Hornpipe, Aug 4, 2017
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  13. Gorthyn

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    Looks fantastic, hope to get there one day !
     
    Gorthyn, Aug 4, 2017
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  14. Spoon

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    Downs is also the hills but can also be related in etymology from burial mounds.
    So a lot of 'downs' toponymy comes form "that hill over there" which really was a burial mound.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toponymy

    As such this is more akin to the Barrow-Downs in the Fellowship
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_places_in_Middle-earth_(fictional)#Barrow-downs

    Real burial mounds:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    Fictional art about the barrows in the fellowship:
    [​IMG]
     
    Spoon, Aug 4, 2017
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  15. Stryker Sparhawk

    Stryker Sparhawk Avatar

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    Oh, so this is like a Miyazaki film:
    The nazghul perspective of : My Neighbor Hobbitoe
     
    Stryker Sparhawk, Aug 4, 2017
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  16. Jens_T

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    If these are burial sites, and some might house wights, having the MoB spawn follow the day/night cycle and/or celestial cycle would be nice. Similar to many horror stories a stroll through a peaceful area at day light becomes perilous at night.
    Also the Avatar's behaviour towards the graves could play a role. The more graves are robbed, the more aggressive the undead become. there also could be undead NPC that add background to the Love storyline.
     
    Jens_T, Aug 5, 2017
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  17. Tahru

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    Very nice, thank you.
     
    Tahru, Aug 5, 2017
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  18. redfish

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    Draugr ;)
     
    redfish, Aug 9, 2017
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  19. SorcerousSteve

    SorcerousSteve Developer Emeritus

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    Hey guys! SorcerousSteve here to give you an update on Middle Downs!
    This week I focused on terrain polish, finishing up the interior of the mounds, and spawning.
    The Mound of the Sun can be seen below before night time, alongside this there are 4 satellite burial mounds within walking distance nearby.
    [​IMG]

    Interior of the Drovak Mound.
    [​IMG]

    Ancient cave drawings depicting hunts, fauna, and sun worshiping line the inside of the Mound of the Sun.
    [​IMG]

    The Oldon Mound and its collapsed roof bring in light from the starry sky.
    [​IMG]

    Des Morte Bog cuts through the Middle Downs, a burial mound can be seen on a nearby cliff.
    [​IMG]
    Hope you guys are looking forward to exploring the burial mounds of the Middle Downs this R45!

    Esteben Zaldivar
    Level Designer
     
    SorcerousSteve, Aug 10, 2017
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  20. Carlin the Druid Archer

    Carlin the Druid Archer Avatar

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    Would be great if some scenes like this had hidden treasure that had some kind of a flag on it allowing a character / account to only 'find once'. That would make these scenes much more interesting.

    That way it could be a decent / substantial treasure / loot.

    Right now the scenes look pretty but are a bit non-interactive apart from the usual grinding for monsters and resources.
     
    Carlin the Druid Archer, Aug 10, 2017
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