How Game Terrains Change in Today's Video Games: How Story Is Revealed Through Environment

The role of locations in the game

Above, we tried to explain the main role of locations - the diversity of the game world. The player will be bored to spend the entire storyline, say, in the middle of the desert, so the developers create for him oases, cities, caves, water obstacles, and much more. Each game location has its highlights, as well as unique enemies, if such are provided by the game's plot.

Online games, where a single virtual space unites many gamers, are of decisive importance. Zones are constantly developing, new sectors, stories are added, and it is important to maintain the plot, as well as take into account modern requirements for graphics, technical capabilities of equipment.

Variety and immersion

In the game you can distinguish the following types of locations:

• Void and population: Games can be divided into inhabited and non -residential locations. Many users and RPG games are often living, thoughtful with the presence of NPC and even animals. Non -game characters in such games have realistic behavior, and they can be interacted not only within the plot. Populated locations create a more lively and rich atmosphere, add depth and give players many variants of interaction.
• Danger and tranquility: often the games combine locations with different levels of danger. This allows players to be able to relax between the tense events of the plot. Calm zones give the players the opportunity to enjoy the environment, perform additional actions (check the equipment, replenish health, send letters, etc.). Such locations create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere where players can spend time without worrying about the danger.
• Nature: Locations are difficult to work out, but incredibly important for game experience. They often act as transitions between the main zones of the game. It is necessary to visualize the natural climate of the game, including weather phenomena, detailed plants and animals. Nature locations are most often investigated by players along and across, so they often develop additional tasks. Examples of such games are 'Witch 3: Wild Hunt', 'Uncharted 4', 'Assassin's Creed', where nature is an integral part of the plot.
• Apocalypse and Postapocalypse: consist of devastated and dangerous locations. Story elements, such as zombie invasion, radiation or meteorite fall, determine the design of the game world, which is sometimes supported even without NPC. An example is 'Metro 2033', where part of history is told through the objects and notes found by players.
• Cyberpunk: Technological progress leads to acute social differentiation. This style uses a lot of neon and backlight, and the design is close to Asian culture. Examples are 'Watch Dogs', 'Hard Reset' and 'Cyberpunk 2077', where the locations are processed in detail, reflecting the atmosphere of the genre.
• Stympank: This style gives designers a lot of freedom for creativity, creating with steam engines and industrial elements. The plot is established in an alternative XIX-XX centuries, which requires the proper processing of setting and arts.
• Fantasy, antiquity, realism: there are many other types of games, including fantasy, antiquity, magic, realism (with real terrain and physical principles). The main law that remains unchanged in the creation of a location is detail and uniqueness that provide an atmosphere that brings pleasure to the player.

The most prominent locations

Below are three games with surprisingly beautiful and made locations:

• 'Witch 3: Wild Hunting'

The area is 136 square kilometers. Villages and cities have their own unique features, and residents simulate real life. The locations are overflowing with details and authenticity.

• 'Death stranding'

In the post -apocalyptic game, the location is designed with great care. Various landscape, reservoirs and unique drawing create hyper -realistic weather and visual effects.

• 'Final Fantasy XV'

Covers 1813 square kilometers and includes a variety of landscapes - from forests to desert areas. The locations change depending on the time of day, and at night they become more dangerous due to monsters.

Creating locations in the Hidden Object genre

Even casual games have detailed game locations. They go through several stages of creation:

• Idea: must match the theme of the game and add variety to the game process. For example, additional rooms in a mysterious mansion or terrain are specific to events.
• Collection of References: A outline of a future location with comments for an artist who will work on visualization is created.
• Creating a sketch: The artist makes black and white sketches with references.
• 2D drawing: the location is refined, details, textures and objects are added.
• Animation: Animation elements are added, such as weather effects and motion of objects.
• Project: Adding unique objects that the player will look for.
• Testing: Primary test for identifying bugs and disadvantages, further feedback with players to improve locations.