08-30-2010, 01:24 AM
Deeza and I agreed to have a bit of a play beyond the beta regions. I have begun by landscaping approximately a quarter of the Talu Swamp region. This is an area about midway through the region and contains the settlements of Blackrose and Longmont. Blackrose is being conceptualised by Deeza right now. Once I upload this esp and have it merged then Deeza can use this area to create the new (small) city.
What you see here is a large swamp zone that could easily get someone lost as it's quite large and very monotonous. Fortunately, there are occasional vantage points that should help with navigation. The dry areas are the only places where you will be able to pick up useful flora as the swamps themselves are pretty much there to be avoided. Finally, the weather FX will not be as you see them here. There's not likely to be a great deal of sun around...which should help to reduce the glare on the water (in combination with the swampwater).
True to morcroft's word, the tropical trees that cover the dryland areas do indeed look much better in-game as the branches are pretty cool.
@ Deeza - Where Blackrose is located in the cell window, take a little look further North and you will find a strip of land. I thought this might be an ideal place to use a wooden walkway into the swamps that will form the entrance to the city. There could be a small jetty on the North side of that thin strip of land for anyone approaching via the river.
In order to begin work on Blackrose, clear out some of the trees and bamboo but try to avoid clearing out too much. It should be just enough so that the swamps meet up with the city walls. Inside, it should be okay to create a child worldspace. This should make modding easier as you will not be encumbered by the swamp features obscuring your view as you zoom out in the CS.
What you see here is a large swamp zone that could easily get someone lost as it's quite large and very monotonous. Fortunately, there are occasional vantage points that should help with navigation. The dry areas are the only places where you will be able to pick up useful flora as the swamps themselves are pretty much there to be avoided. Finally, the weather FX will not be as you see them here. There's not likely to be a great deal of sun around...which should help to reduce the glare on the water (in combination with the swampwater).
True to morcroft's word, the tropical trees that cover the dryland areas do indeed look much better in-game as the branches are pretty cool.
@ Deeza - Where Blackrose is located in the cell window, take a little look further North and you will find a strip of land. I thought this might be an ideal place to use a wooden walkway into the swamps that will form the entrance to the city. There could be a small jetty on the North side of that thin strip of land for anyone approaching via the river.
In order to begin work on Blackrose, clear out some of the trees and bamboo but try to avoid clearing out too much. It should be just enough so that the swamps meet up with the city walls. Inside, it should be okay to create a child worldspace. This should make modding easier as you will not be encumbered by the swamp features obscuring your view as you zoom out in the CS.