Creating massive video game environments is no easy feat, and it can be especially difficult for developers, trying to deliver on *harsh* deliverable dates set by publishers. But it’s just the natural order of development/publication in this industry. Publishers will always likely lean towards a faster delivery date, while developers would want a more polished gameplay, environment and mechanics. Notorious examples of this include: No Man’s Sky, Fallout 76, Cyberpunk 2077, just to name a few.
NOTE: It’s worth mentioning that some of this games have turned things around since their disastrous launch.
Anyways, without getting more off-topic, we provide a little insight into the worlds of devs, especially when it comes to world-development, and creating massive and unique world environments!
So how exactly do huge video game environments get created?
The process usually starts creatively or *run and gun style*. Meaning, developers usually start by playing around with assets, themes, and start manipulating a premade world. After that, if an idea of the game or the world itself looks very interesting to build and unique, it usually kick-starts the planning process.
In which, developers sketch out a rough outline of the world, including key landmarks and the overall size and scope. It’s like a virtual roadmap for the world they’re about to create.
Once the roadmap is done, it’s on to the other phases.
Designing The Asset
Next up is building the assets for the game world. This involves creating 3D models of characters, buildings, and other objects using software like Maya or Blender. These models are then textured and lit to give them a more realistic appearance. It’s like a virtual art class, only way more intense. Once the assets are ready, they’re imported into the game engine.
Shaping The Game World
Now it’s time to build the actual game world! This involves laying out the terrain, placing objects and other elements, and generally shaping the world. The developers use tools within the game engine to do all this, shaping the terrain and adding details like trees, rocks, and other environmental elements. It’s like playing a giant game of virtual Tetris, only way more complicated.
Adding Player Interactivity
Once the basic layout of the world is done, it’s time to add some interactivity. This can include NPC characters that the player can interact with, as well as interactive objects like doors and levers that the player can use to solve puzzles or progress through the game. It’s like adding the cherry on top of a virtual sundae.
Quality Assessment
Next up is the playtesting and debugging phase, where the developers test out the game to make sure everything is working as intended and fix any bugs or glitches they encounter. This process usually involves playing through the game multiple times, making adjustments and improvements as needed. It’s like a never-ending cycle of virtual problem-solving. Some games have bugs and glitches that are never found or fixed, which can often lead to great cheats that the player can exploit too!
Lighting & Sound
Making a big video game scene feel believable and immersive is a key part of the process. Although they put a lot of time and attention into making intricate, realistic assets and landscapes, developers must also take into account lighting and sound design in order to truly bring the world to life. A significant aspect of building a plausible game environment is lighting, which can assist set the mood, emphasize key locations, and give the game a more authentic feel. The correct music and sound effects may assist set the mood and give the world a more alive feeling, while sound effects can add realism to the game and help immerse the player in the experience.
Other Unique World-Building Techniques
In addition to lighting and sound, developers must also consider the overall layout and design of the game world. This includes the placement of buildings, objects, and other elements in order to create a realistic and believable environment. It’s important to create a sense of flow and progression through the world, as well as balance and variety to keep the player engaged.
Artificial Intelligence Enhancements
Another important aspect of building a massive video game environment is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create realistic NPC characters. These characters are programmed to behave and interact with the player in a way that feels natural and believable. Developers use a variety of techniques to achieve this, such as programming NPC characters to have their own routines, goals, and motivations, and to react appropriately to the player’s actions.
This can involve anything from simple behaviors like walking around and interacting with objects, to more complex behaviors like decision-making and problem-solving. The use of AI in video game environments allows developers to create a more immersive and interactive experience for the player, as they can interact with the game world in a more meaningful way.
It’s not uncommon for developers to spend months or even years working on a single game, with some larger projects requiring the efforts of hundreds of people. It’s a team effort, with each member contributing their own expertise and skills to bring the game world to life.
The development process is also constantly evolving and improving as new technologies and tools become available. For example, the use of procedural generation, where parts of the game world are generated algorithmically rather than being hand-crafted, has become increasingly popular in recent years. This allows developers to create larger and more diverse game worlds more efficiently.
As with any creative process, there are also a lot of challenges and setbacks that developers must overcome. The process of building a game world is iterative, with ideas and features being added, modified, and sometimes even removed as the game takes shape. It’s not uncommon for developers to go back to the drawing board multiple times in order to get everything just right.
Finally, the game is ready for release! But the work doesn’t stop there. Many games continue to receive updates and expansions after their initial release, adding new content and features to the game world. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.
Amazing Worlds, Poorly Designed Worlds & Labor Intensity of World Building
Despite all the challenges, the end result is oftentimes worth it. When the designs and implementation are done well then, the players finally get to step into the game world and explore it for themselves, it can be a truly magical experience.
The sense of immersion and the feeling of being a part of the world is something that can’t be found in any other medium. It’s this sense of wonder and discovery that keeps players coming back to their favorite games time and time again. Sadly, poorly designed games may not provide the same level of immersion and enjoyment and can lead to a less enjoyable experience for players. They often tend to fall by the wayside until they’re too outdated to attempt to play.
Creating massive video game environments is a complex and labor-intensive process that requires a team of skilled professionals and the use of a variety of tools and technologies. From the planning phase to the final touches, it’s a process that takes a lot of hard work and dedication. But when players finally get to step into the game world and explore it for themselves, we all hold thumbs and hope it’s all worth it.
The sense of immersion and the feeling of being a part of the world is something truly special, and it’s what keeps players coming back to their favorite games time and time again. And it’s all thanks to the talented developers who put in the hard work to bring these worlds to life.
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