As we announced during the Spring Telethon, we are adding three new maps to the game that we are calling “Outskirts”. These scenes will be very close to the three starting scenes and players will go directly there after finishing those starting scenes. Outskirts will be very large scenes, similar in scope to some of our recent big scenes like Blood Bay. This will allow them to be large enough that players can base themselves in a single scene for adventuring, resupply for their first couple of hours without having to go through multiple scene loads, or having to use the Overworld.
Each scene will have a small outpost that will include some shopkeepers, trainers, crafting stations, and a few quest givers (and no player housing!). The scenes will also include plenty of adventuring areas (forests, ruins, bandit camps, etc.).
From last week’s Update of the Avatar #224, we’ve introduced the second and third outskirts scenes! See the amazing screenshots below:
The Making of Highvale Outskirts
SPOILERS: After Highvale Village was overrun by Obsidian Elves the villagers escaped to Resolute and the soldiers who were defending the village fled to a nearby abandoned monastery high in the mountains in a scene we are calling Highvale Outskirts. They have made camp there but are blocked from completing their retreat to Resolute by an encampment of Elves who are patrolling the area. Players following the Path of Courage will go directly to this scene after Highvale Village and will assist the soldiers as well as follow numerous other quests and side quests. The monastery will include some crafting stations, merchants and trainers among the soldiers who can help players outfit and train. This very large scene also contains a small Kobold mining camp, a hunters cabin on an alpine lake, and an abandoned farm. We hope to have this scene live in Release 42.
[A Dev+ Forum Post by Chris “Sea Wolf” Wolf]
Hey folks, I have a few screenshots to share of the upcoming Highvale Outskirts. This is one of three new introductory areas that are designed to help new players learn about the basics of gameplay in SotA. The centerpiece of the map (metaphorically speaking) is a forgotten monastery, where the forces from Highvale have retreated. From this monastery, players will be able to take on local quests throughout the map.
The inspiration for this map is drawn from European monasteries such as the ones in Meteora Greece, where monks would study in isolation.
Most of the map is open fields and patches of forest, perfect for hunting wild game. The map also features a lake where players can fish, and even a fishing boat which circles the lake.
The Monastery Cliff-side
The Monastery Chapel (exterior)
The Monastery Chapel (interior)
The Under-croft
The Elven Camp
The Fisherman’s Hut
The Wilderness
Also here’s a sneak peak video I did yesterday for Pen of the Avatar:
Chris Wolf
Level Designer
The Making of Bloodriver Outskirts
SPOILERS: Players following the Path of Truth encounter the Elven village of Bloodriver massacred by vigilantes from Aerie. The elves have fled for their lives into the forests upriver and invaded the home of an Elven hermit who dwells in a ruin deep in the forest. They have set traps to protect themselves from the vigilantes who have pursued them here and are harassing them still. Elven soldiers from Vertas are arriving from the north to protect them while Aerie soldiers are streaming in from the south east to try and stop all out war between the humans and elves. We hope to have this scene live in Release 43.
[From a Dev+ Forum Post by Esteben “SorcerousSteve” Zaldivar]
Hey guys, SorcerousSteve here once again to give you a sneak peak of Bloodriver Outskirts!
Tucked away in a dense forest, Elven survivors from the recent Bloodriver Massacre have sought refuge and built a camp atop a woodland plateau. They protect themselves from the humans who pursue them they have chosen this reclusive spot and have booby-trapped the surrounding area!
Elven Camp
Bloodriver: Here is the blood red river as it cuts through the dense forest.
Vigilante Camps: Scattered throughout the scene are these camps led by humans to capture and kill elves. Pictured below are pens, and cages meant to hold the elven captives, truly a grim sight.
Traps: Some new traps will make their way into Bloodriver Outskirts like this “Indiana Jones” inspired rolling boulder trap. Run!
See you next time!
Esteben Zaldivar
Level Designer
The first Outskirts scene, Solace Bridge Outskirts, was revealed in Update #222:
They look really fine. The monastary is great! You made a good work – it will be very interesting to explore the Outskirts Scenes
I didn’t know how you manage the flow of the story (Solace Bridge –> Boat to Soltown), but I am excited about and looking forward, what kind of quests can be found in the Outskirts …