Forsaken World, and Interior Design

Hey, seekers!
Hope you had a great holiday! I thought things would be real quiet in the Official Chinese Forums, but 'lo, and behold', a new post. And here I was, thinking they'd stay all "hush, hush" until their Beta announcement! I was wrong, and there's a new post concerning interior spaces in Forsaken World. Screen shots, and (as always) my 'rough interpretation", with unnecessary commentary. Enjoy! Also, for more on interiors, don't forget to check Asfer's Forsaken World Fans (who beat PWB at their own topic) And there's a poll going on over there at FWF, so while you're there, please take a moment to vote!

In general gaming practice, in 3d world design it's always easier to create "outdoor" scenes, versus "indoor" scenes. A lot of has to do with how we perceive the visual surroundings, and the more "true to life" the representation, the more immersive it feels. Outdoors? "Place "tree" at co-ords x,y " And poof, we have a tree. (notwithstanding that even a tree is a work of art, but generally easier due to it's generic nature). Indoors? Well, that's a different story. How do we make it *not* seem like we're inside a cardboard box? Textures, which blur in the distance, are very "up close, and personal" in an interior space, thus requiring greater detail. Now remember, in a virtual 3d world, every single thing you "see" has to be painstakingly created, and placed where you would expect to see it. Here's a shot inside the Great Library in Freeport.

 

Theoretically, you can read book titles on the spines. Wow.

Be sure to click on that picture, and take in as much detail as you can. That's a LOT of work, for just ONE viewpoint of ONE interior. The detail is exceptionally high. (and I tell you what, if the clock actually *works*, then forget it, FW wins for all time.)

Okay, that's a hands-down overkill of graphics. For anyone who's played mmo's over a span of years, you know how "high end" that interior is. But hey, it's supposed to be grandiose..it is the Great Library, after all. What about other places, something a little more "working class". Well, here's a shot of the interior of a shop.

I don't know what's being sold, but it looks nice in there.

Now, again, click on the pic, and see it in a larger size. While you look over the details, note that the woodgrain on the ladder is not the same woodgrain of the corner support beam, which is not the same wood as the chest, or the counters, or the floor for that matter. Look at the dynamic lighting from the hanging lantern. This is all about details, seekers..and FW hasn't spared us any.

Next up let's compare two "taverns" in Forsaken world. Not content to have one unified 'generic' tavern style, FW has some racially motivated design ethics, That is to say "A Human tavern would not look the same as a Dwarven tavern". Let's compare:

 

Human Tavern

Dawrven Tavern.

While both serving the same purpose, it's evident to see the designer's racial characteristics reflect the aesthetic outcome of the final result. While both can serve humans AND Dwarfs, which one do you think each race would be more "at home" in? (And speaking again of detail, did you notice the little ramp in front of the Dwarf bar? Amazing attention to detail. (I'm guessing a Vamp tavern would look more like a blood bank, or a really cool Goth Nightclub) ;)

Now, when talking "interiors", (in theory, the whole "world" is an interior, inside a sphere)., we normally think of "in a building". What about caves? Those are "interiors", as well. And when it comes to caves, nobody beats a Dwarf. From what I gather from the original post, Dwarfs, being the mechanical geniuses they are, have a series of railroad-connected caves, encompassing smelting furnaces, and production machinery, (and I would guess mining, as well.) See for yourself, (with an eye for detail.):

 

Dwarf Cave Interior.

Attention to detail. Yet another reason to look forward to Forsaken World.