All of this ties into the diverse cultures you’ll bump into on your journey, and what’s really important to them—like their deities—breathes life into the game. Take the Aedyrans, for instance; they’re a nation that holds concepts like rightful rule, leadership, and order in high regard. Suddenly, they’re thrust into Eora’s expansive frontier. You can imagine the challenge they face trying to blend into the local scene. It might be as simple as a tweak in their attire or a shift in their lifestyle. This “Wild West” setting welcomes everyone, but sticking to old ways might not cut it for survival in the Living Lands.
Patel expands on this, saying, “If you’re someone who primarily honors [the goddess] Woedica, you prioritize law, order, justice, and rightful rule over other values. On the other hand, if Abydon, the Smith, is your deity of choice, it’s not that you dismiss other gods, but you hold industry, hard work, and dedication above all else. These distinctions allow us to inject these factions and groups with clear ideals, giving players a strong sense of what they’re about.”
I notice this blend in the architecture and the way outfits are designed—it feels like the two are intricately connected. Lead Environment Artist Dennis Presnell explains, “This world truly lives and breathes. That’s reflected in the game, but it feels like it’s been living in our development process as well. It’s such an iterative procedure where, as we go, our team introduces new assets, ideas, or storytelling techniques, and we all build upon that, supporting one another. It all comes together to form a world so rich in variety; it becomes a big, cohesive, authentic reality.”
