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Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
Our quickest Alpha Two updates are in Discord. Testers with Alpha Two access can chat in Alpha Two channels by connecting your Discord and Intrepid accounts here.
Improving Character Interaction Animations
Faimith
Member, Alpha Two
I watched the Bard livestream and enjoyed it overall, but I think adding more interaction animations could greatly enhance immersion.
For example, an idle animation while talking to an NPC or reading through the quest log would make the experience feel more dynamic. It would also be nice to see animations for discovering special items or interacting with events, like summoning monsters.
At the end of the showcase, the three-star elite mob summoning felt a bit abrupt. Seeing the summoning process and the mobs emerging from the well would be much more immersive.
I understand these features might not be implemented in Alpha 2, but I would love to see them by release. Is this something Intrepid plans to include?
For example, an idle animation while talking to an NPC or reading through the quest log would make the experience feel more dynamic. It would also be nice to see animations for discovering special items or interacting with events, like summoning monsters.
At the end of the showcase, the three-star elite mob summoning felt a bit abrupt. Seeing the summoning process and the mobs emerging from the well would be much more immersive.
I understand these features might not be implemented in Alpha 2, but I would love to see them by release. Is this something Intrepid plans to include?
7
Comments
Those are all fantastic ideas! I would also add a pure idle animation where the character would do some stretching, looking at their weapon, fixing their armor, etc.
Confident over here it will come during the Alpha Two AND the Beta.
✓ Occasional Roleplayer
✓ Guild is " Balderag's Garde " for now. (German)
Really good ideas, love it.
Maybe we gather some more ideas?
For example:
- Animal Interactions:
Petting or feeding mounts and pets, or calming wild animals.
- Weather Reactions:
Characters could show different animations depending on the weather, like shivering in the cold or shielding their eyes from the sun.
- Inspecting Items:
Examining artifacts or loot closely, possibly discovering hidden details or lore.
- Trading:
Detailed animations for trading with other players, including inspecting and handing over items.
- Repairing Gear:
Polishing armor, cleaning weapons, or repairing equipment after battles.
Additionally, it might be helpful to have the option to activate or deactivate these detailed animations, giving players control over their experience. What do you think?
The idea of having a more immersive summoning process, especially for significant events like a three-star elite mob appearing, is excellent. Watching the mobs emerge in a dramatic way, rather than simply appearing, would add a lot to the narrative and atmospheric depth.
While these enhancements may not be feasible for Alpha 2, I hope the developers at Intrepid Studios consider incorporating them into the final release. It would definitely make for a more polished and engaging experience. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they prioritize these immersive details as development progresses!
Pretty sure Steven has given the disclaimer many times that animations / effects / UI are a work in progress.
I like your enthusiasm though.
betas are usually not very long, polish should be done pre beta
You could even have factions in the game. Lets say you earn "reputation" with the religious sector of a Religious node, maybe you could purchase with earned reputation (perhaps blocked by reputation tiers) - you could have something that makes your "rest" a prayer pose instead of sitting down.
We could have a section in our "spellbook" for non combat skills and slots. You could then have slots for sitting/standing idle/dancing. And of course just general emotes for fun/RP.
I love your idea about unlocking certain animations through achievements or quests, similar to Runescape. It adds a layer of progression and personalization.
I think most of the interactions with the world itself should be available from the beginning to ensure basic immersion.
However, having NPCs react differently based on your reputation is fantastic. It reminds me of a forum post discussing this: https://forums.ashesofcreation.com/discussion/56760/different-dialogue-from-vendors-npcs-for-citizens-vs-visitors#latest
The more reputation you have, the more unique interactions you could unlock. This would add depth to the game's social dynamics and make the world feel more responsive and alive.
What does everyone else think?