How Big is the game World? Azeroth-WoW size or Smaller?

tro44_1

I found a picture talking about the Rift, and was wondering if this is all there is to the game world.

[IMG]http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=969&pictureid=10357[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=969&pictureid=10356[/IMG]

 

if not, then How big is the game world? is it bigger the Azeroth in WoW?

 

Kalmporos

I would say smaller. But you'll see less barren areas than WoW.

Check the maps here: aionmaps.vnemesis.com/

tro44_1

thx for the fast reply. So those two pics are all there is to the World?

How is World PvE and World PvP handled then? Siege Fighting in this game as well correct?

 

Edit:

Cool its not that bad.Does the resorce system function like most RTS or is it more like a crafting thing?

Dam this Wiki is info-less

 

Kalmporos

Originally posted by tro44_1


thx for the fast reply. So those two pics are all there is to the World?
How is World PvE and World PvP handled then? Siege Fighting in this game as well correct?

 

Those two pics are just two zones of the whole world.

Each race has their own zones but Abyss is common for both.

Also you can travel to your enemies lands via Rifts but be prepared for a hostile environment :P

ps. Make sure you check the link I gave you to see almost all the areas. They also add more areas with patches and i dont know if the link is up to date thats why Im saying "almost"

FastTx

Originally posted by tro44_1


thx for the fast reply. So those two pics are all there is to the World?
How is World PvE and World PvP handled then? Siege Fighting in this game as well correct?

 

Those are the 20-40 zones for each side. With rifts to include some pvp.

There is a 1-10 area and a 10-20 area for each side (both are safe from pvp).

There is a 20-25 safe area for each side.

Each side has their own main town.

There is a 30-50 area for each side with rifts.

There is the Upper and Lower Abyss with a Core.

 

More is being added with each expansion including the claim that Player Housing will be a feature of the first expansion.

fiontar

The world is very small, which is one of the biggest flaws for this otherwise compelling game.

The non-Abyss world map for both factions combined probably has a total landmass equal to all the Tier One lands in Warhammer Online, minus the RvR lakes. It's harder to quantify the Abyss, because it's 3 dimensional and it's mostly empty space, with small islands of land scattered here and there. Setting the Abyss aside, Aion has about 15%-20% the solid land mass seen in WAR.

If you compare it to WoW, you could probably fit all six lvl20+ "PvE" zones in Aion into a space less than 60% the size of Kalimdor. So, let's say that the three zones for your race would combined take up about as much space as The Barrens, Stone Talon Mountains and Ashenvale combined.

Small world.

Also, the zones are connected by portals, no seamless transitions. Additionally, the sub areas with in each zone are all surrounded by impassible cliffs and are connected through just a couple of narrow choke points.

For people wondering about rifts, even though an individual rift tends to open up near content for players in the same level range on each side, it is very possible for Level 35-40s invaders to travel to the part of the zone where level 20-25s are leveling.

MrPhire

Originally posted by fiontar


The world is very small, which is one of the biggest flaws for this otherwise compelling game.
The non-Abyss world map for both factions combined probably has a total landmass equal to all the Tier One lands in Warhammer Online, minus the RvR lakes. It's harder to quantify the Abyss, because it's 3 dimensional and it's mostly empty space, with small islands of land scattered here and there. Setting the Abyss aside, Aion has about 15%-20% the solid land mass seen in WAR.
If you compare it to WoW, you could probably fit all six lvl20+ "PvE" zones in Aion into a space less than 60% the size of Kalimdor. So, let's say that the three zones for your race would combined take up about as much space as The Barrens, Stone Talon Mountains and Ashenvale combined.
Small world.
Also, the zones are connected by portals, no seamless transitions. Additionally, the sub areas with in each zone are all surrounded by impassible cliffs and are connected through just a couple of narrow choke points.
For people wondering about rifts, even though an individual rift tends to open up near content for players in the same level range on each side, it is very possible for Level 35-40s invaders to travel to the part of the zone where level 20-25s are leveling.

 

Those portals are a design they created through probably Guild Wars. Along with the, i think its called, districts. It's their way of trying to reduce lag. Good bad? I dunno.

crunchyblack

So wait, aion uses zoned maps instead of an open world approach?  Just like age of conan?

For some people this is a major issue, a game breaker.  Im not so anal, as long as the maps are huge, and they are, im cool with zoning.

 

tryklon

Originally posted by crunchyblack


So wait, aion uses zoned maps instead of an open world approach?  Just like age of conan?
For some people this is a major issue, a game breaker.  Im not so anal, as long as the maps are huge, and they are, im cool with zoning.
 

 

The zones have portals to travel between them, but together they form a greater map, a world that delivers the impression of a big map. In age of conan we couldnt even see a world map where it actually showed the zones drawn together so we can have the notion of distance between them.

Another thing about  districts like someone said they were GW like. There are only districts on the 1-20 zones to reduce lag from a big surge of players on that areas. From Lvl 20 up there are no districts and every player shares the same maps, once again, contrarily to Age of Conan and Guild Wars, that kept the district system all the way in the game.

fiontar

Originally posted by tryklon

Originally posted by crunchyblack


So wait, aion uses zoned maps instead of an open world approach?  Just like age of conan?
For some people this is a major issue, a game breaker.  Im not so anal, as long as the maps are huge, and they are, im cool with zoning.
 

 

The zones have portals to travel between them, but together they form a greater map, a world that delivers the impression of a big map. In age of conan we couldnt even see a world map where it actually showed the zones drawn together so we can have the notion of distance between them.

Another thing about  districts like someone said they were GW like. There are only districts on the 1-20 zones to reduce lag from a big surge of players on that areas. From Lvl 20 up there are no districts and every player shares the same maps, once again, contrarily to Age of Conan and Guild Wars, that kept the district system all the way in the game.

 

Even though the individual zones for one race "fit" on one map, the impression in game is no better than AoC. In fact, it's even more restrictive in the way it feels, because the "sub-zones" with in each zone are walled off from everything else, in most cases, with only a couple, narrow choke points connecting to the larger zone.

IMO, world design was a big step backwards, at least for the lands outside the Abyss.

I still remember when WoW came out thinking that in the coming years most MMORPGs would take that very open world design and improve greatly upon it. I saw WoW's world design as just one solid step forward for the Genre. Unfortunately, since then, no one has improved at all on the concept. Most games now are fairly closed, with limited landscape. The very few that have offered large world size have been seriously flawed in other elements of world design.

With all the elements of WoW that most titles duplicate, it's unreal that one of the most important elements of WoW's success, world design, is one thing no one has been able to emulate and improve upon. (For clarity, no WoW fanboy here, I haven't player WoW for over a year and a half. Just a fan of the genre who keeps hoping for some new titles to really move the genre forward).

scodavis

There are actually two ways to travel.  As in WoW, if you are traveling long distances you take (horde side) a Zep and zone into the new area and in Aion you take a portal.  Once you are in the area, you can take flight masters and fly between sections of the map, just like in WoW, although the graphics are just stunning compared to WoW.  The maps seem optimized for gliding, so you can get around quickly.

 

It is certainly NOT AoC where every time you enter a tavern or building there is a loading screen and every time you enter a new area there is a loading screen and every time you want to scratch your nose there is a loading screen.

 

So basically, if you are traveling a very long distance there is a portal to save time.  Short distances are handled by flight masters.

Markn12

You will only see a loading screen when you leave that actual zone basically.   Say you're in altgard you wont see any loading screen unless 1.  You take the zone portal to Morheim or you use the portal master to go to another zone.   I would say altgard is actually a pretty big ass zone if you ask me there are carved out areas for tons of quest for lv 10-20  you start off fighting stuff outside the fortress walls, then you go west through a tunnel and come out to a gorgeous forest with a npc camp area that has more quest that you can do.  From here you level etc etc do quest and you explore at about level 13-15 you find bastest village which is a rather normal sized village with you guessed it more quest (better ones way better)  the campaign quest has a few here also so you get some really nice xp.  You continue this route until 16-17 then you go back to the fortress and go east and start the campaign quest part for black claw outpost/village.     At level 20 you can either stay and kill elites or go to morheim (which is pretty dam big tiself if you ask me).  



Every zone has content like this and quest villages etc and it makes the zones seem ALOT bigger then people say.   If you take out the abyss its small but the abyss is where most 25 + will be.

Comparing world size to other games well of course EQ is the standard despite what people think wow was not the first open world area game EQs landmass is way bigger then wow.   It is small compared to these games but shit eq has been out 10 years, wow 5 etc give aion 5 years and 3 expansions see how big it gets.

xiirot

Compared to WoW, this game is microscopic.  So I'm not sure why people like it?

Average linear gameplay - CHECK

Pretty-flashy-lights - CHECK

Dumbed Down for children - CHECK

Heavily Instanced Zones - CHECK

No feeling of immersion - CHECK

 

scodavis

Originally posted by xiirot


Compared to WoW, this game is microscopic.  So I'm not sure why people like it?
Average linear gameplay - CHECK
Pretty-flashy-lights - CHECK
Dumbed Down for children - CHECK
Heavily Instanced Zones - CHECK
No feeling of immersion - CHECK
 

Average linear gameplay - It's an MMORPG. You level, you hit end game, you raid or pvp.  What did you expect?

Pretty-flashy-lights - CHECK

Dumbed Down for Children - I don't see this at all.  The game mechanics are much more fun than WoW.  Matter of opinion, I guess

Heavily Instanced Zones - You are either misinformed, uninformed or lying.

No feeling of immersion - Matter of opinion, but if you're basing this assumption on your 'Heavily Instanced Zones' assumption, I've already dealt with that.

 

JonMichael

Originally posted by xiirot


Compared to WoW, this game is microscopic.  So I'm not sure why people like it? You're confused because you're wrong.
Average linear gameplay - CHECK WRONG - As the game progresses, there is more than one area for level ranges.  The only place it is quite linear is 1-10.
Pretty-flashy-lights - CHECK Right on that one... some of the best particle effects I've ever seen
Dumbed Down for children - CHECK WRONG (obviously you didn't get very far and haven't stepped foot into the abyss)
Heavily Instanced Zones - CHECK  WRONG Only instanced in the 1-10 zone to prevent lag.  After that, everyone on the server is in the same "instance".
No feeling of immersion - CHECK This is a personal one, but no wonder since you don't know that much about the game, you wouldn't feel immersed
 

 

Sevensodd

I would say it is smaller, but there is soooo much more in each area.  Think of having a pepperoni and sausage pizza.  You hate sausage, but love pepperoni and want more of it so bad you can taste it.  Now WoW-world is 20 parts pepperoni / 80 part sausage.  Aions' world is more like 80 parts pepperoni / 20 part sausage. 

Boardwalker

Originally posted by MrPhire



Those portals are a design they created through probably Guild Wars. Along with the, i think its called, districts. It's their way of trying to reduce lag. Good bad? I dunno.

You are confusing the lower level channels with Rifts. They are two entirely different things; channels are like multiple instances of lower level zones. You can switch between channels if one becomes too crowded. Later in the game there is only 1 channel. Rifts are portals through which enemies can enter your lands.

xiirot

I'll admit, I didn't make it to the Abyss.  Mostly because the game lost my attention after the first 11 levels.

 

I guess the only question I would have about this game, do you gain XP in PvP?  I don't mean honor or pvp points, I mean actual XP that levels you up?  If the only way to gain experience is by killing NPCs and quests, then it is simply too linear for me.  I want to gain experience by PvPing (that's why I loved the WAR PvP, no matter how flawed end-game was).

If the answer is yes, I may give the game another shot.

Shoko_Lied

Originally posted by crunchyblack


So wait, aion uses zoned maps instead of an open world approach?  Just like age of conan?
For some people this is a major issue, a game breaker.  Im not so anal, as long as the maps are huge, and they are, im cool with zoning.
 

 

Well in AOC you where zoning all the time because each zone wasnt that big. At least in aion each zone is fairly large  with alot of content, so you will not be seeing a load sceren often. Also, they make this intuitive by making you go to a portal sender and you jump into a portal. So it's not like you are randomly entering a load screen to cycle a new area.

Whitetree

Originally posted by xiirot


I'll admit, I didn't make it to the Abyss.  Mostly because the game lost my attention after the first 11 levels.
 
I guess the only question I would have about this game, do you gain XP in PvP?  I don't mean honor or pvp points, I mean actual XP that levels you up?  If the only way to gain experience is by killing NPCs and quests, then it is simply too linear for me.  I want to gain experience by PvPing (that's why I loved the WAR PvP, no matter how flawed end-game was).
If the answer is yes, I may give the game another shot.

 

From what I understand, 1.5 added XP gain in PvP. However, I don't think it will be substantial enough to level off of, buy I may be wrong. I completely agree with you about WAR, though. That was one of its shiny spots, being able to actually level in PvP.

Shoko_Lied

Originally posted by JonMichael

Originally posted by xiirot


Compared to WoW, this game is microscopic.  So I'm not sure why people like it? You're confused because you're wrong.
Average linear gameplay - CHECK WRONG - As the game progresses, there is more than one area for level ranges.  The only place it is quite linear is 1-10.
Pretty-flashy-lights - CHECK Right on that one... some of the best particle effects I've ever seen
Dumbed Down for children - CHECK WRONG (obviously you didn't get very far and haven't stepped foot into the abyss)
Heavily Instanced Zones - CHECK  WRONG Only instanced in the 1-10 zone to prevent lag.  After that, everyone on the server is in the same "instance".
No feeling of immersion - CHECK This is a personal one, but no wonder since you don't know that much about the game, you wouldn't feel immersed
 

 

This reminds me of the good ol debate on whether people would want a giant landmass with nothing to do, or a smaller landmass with something  cool to do everywhere and anywhere.

 

Or that other debate over quality. Do you want 100 hookers that look like there face is half melted off. Or 5 amazing hawties.

fiontar

Originally posted by denshing

Originally posted by crunchyblack


So wait, aion uses zoned maps instead of an open world approach?  Just like age of conan?
For some people this is a major issue, a game breaker.  Im not so anal, as long as the maps are huge, and they are, im cool with zoning.
 

 

Well in AOC you where zoning all the time because each zone wasnt that big. At least in aion each zone is fairly large  with alot of content, so you will not be seeing a load sceren often. Also, they make this intuitive by making you go to a portal sender and you jump into a portal. So it's not like you are randomly entering a load screen to cycle a new area.

 

That's not really accurate. I didn't play AoC for very long, but thinking back on my experiences there, I'm not sure that Aion's zones are really any larger than the zones in AoC. Unlike AoC, the zone isn't open, but highly compartmentalized.

Also, Aion crams content for 20 levels into one such zone. 20-40 and 30-50 in the two main PvE zones for each race. The third post 20 zone has a tiny sliver for 20-25 content, with the rest of the zone for 45-50. (The 45-50 area of the third zone was just made playable in the very latest patch, in Korea, which will be the version for our OB and beyond. That's all the playable land mass they have added in almost a year since launching in Korea, so don't expect frequent updates with new zones and added PvE content).

avalon1000

Originally posted by fiontar

Originally posted by denshing

Originally posted by crunchyblack


So wait, aion uses zoned maps instead of an open world approach?  Just like age of conan?
For some people this is a major issue, a game breaker.  Im not so anal, as long as the maps are huge, and they are, im cool with zoning.
 

 

Well in AOC you where zoning all the time because each zone wasnt that big. At least in aion each zone is fairly large  with alot of content, so you will not be seeing a load sceren often. Also, they make this intuitive by making you go to a portal sender and you jump into a portal. So it's not like you are randomly entering a load screen to cycle a new area.

 

That's not really accurate. I didn't play AoC for very long, but thinking back on my experiences there, I'm not sure that Aion's zones are really any larger than the zones in AoC. Unlike AoC, the zone isn't open, but highly compartmentalized.

Also, Aion crams content for 20 levels into one such zone. 20-40 and 30-50 in the two main PvE zones for each race. The third post 20 zone has a tiny sliver for 20-25 content, with the rest of the zone for 45-50. (The 45-50 area of the third zone was just made playable in the very latest patch, in Korea, which will be the version for our OB and beyond. That's all the playable land mass they have added in almost a year since launching in Korea, so don't expect frequent updates with new zones and added PvE content).

True...I would suspect the first addition to land zones will be in the Expac. 

fiontar

Originally posted by JonMichael

Originally posted by xiirot


Compared to WoW, this game is microscopic.  So I'm not sure why people like it? You're confused because you're wrong. It is very small compared to WoW. The three post level 20 PvE zones for each race would likely fit into an area of WoW the size of The Barrens, Stonetalon Mountains and Ashenvale. Also, remember that aside from Rift PvP and a few related quests, the PvE zones for the other race do not provide leveling content for you. So, really, you'll be spending most of your time (other than time spent playing in The Abyss) leveling from 20-50 in an area the equivalent of three WoW zones. Looking at the WoW maps for a refresher, I can chart my typical 1-60 leveling route there through a total of about 20 zones.


Average linear gameplay - CHECK WRONG - As the game progresses, there is more than one area for level ranges.  The only place it is quite linear is 1-10. You are mostly wrong here. The game is totally linear from level 1 to 20. You have content for levels 20-25 in two zones, but you'll probably want to do all the quests to minimize grinding, so you only have some choice in which one you start in, before you start the process of bouncing back and forth. From level 1 to 25, you will have no alternative route for leveling alts, you will do all the same quests and grind all the same mobs.


Level 25 to 30? One PvE zone, or the Abyss. Once again, you'll probably want to fully avail yourself of all the quests in both places and will still have some grind.
Level 30 to 40? You will be bouncing between the two main PvE zones, plus the Abyss. Once again, you will want to do all the quests, if possible, but will still have some grind.
Level 40-45? Content in one main PvE zone and the Abyss. Same caveat as above.
Level 45 to 50? Choice of two zones to level in, plus the Abyss. Same caveat as above.
You can get some XP from PvP, so that might help break the monotony a little. There are also instances, but unless you enjoy WoW End Game like instance grinds, how many times will you really want to repeat any given instance?
Also, in Aion maybe 75% of your quests are a part of linear quest lines. You have to do the parts in order to keep unlocking further quests. It is very linear.
Pretty-flashy-lights - CHECK Right on that one... some of the best particle effects I've ever seen The game does look nice.


Dumbed Down for children - CHECK WRONG (obviously you didn't get very far and haven't stepped foot into the abyss) I agree with you mostly here. Although many elements are fairly simple and linear, it's not dumbed down for children. The leveling curve is a beast, by recent standards and the PvP environment makes leveling a real challenge. Class customization is minimal though and combat and crafting are pretty straight forward.


Heavily Instanced Zones - CHECK  WRONG Only instanced in the 1-10 zone to prevent lag.  After that, everyone on the server is in the same "instance". Partially wrong here. "Channels" persist through levels 1 to 20. Also, there are a lot of traditional, six man instances. Additionally, it is not an open world. One capitol city, newb zone, beginner zone and three main PvE zones per race. Each only connected to the others via teleports. The Abyss is also split into three sections, Upper, Lower and Middle, each in it's own instance.


No feeling of immersion - CHECK This is a personal one, but no wonder since you don't know that much about the game, you wouldn't feel immersed Immersion is fairly low here. Some zones are beautiful and you get very immersed in the environment. Some are a bit blah and very much to the "theme park" end of the Theme Park<---> Virtual World end of the spectrum. Some areas make sense in the world, others completely feel like they are tailored only for leveling and don't feel organic to the world they are set in.


Mob models and animations are great and there are some nice design elements here and there, but there are also a lot of places where you won't be able to immerse yourself much.
It also not much of a game for explorers. With almost every inch of the world having a very specific purpose in the leveling flow chart. There isn't much to see that you would miss if you only stuck to the quests and didn't go exploring.
 

 

 

Remii718

Originally posted by xiirot


Compared to WoW, this game is microscopic.  So I'm not sure why people like it? You're confused because you're wrong. It is very small compared to WoW. The three post level 20 PvE zones for each race would likely fit into an area of WoW the size of The Barrens, Stonetalon Mountains and Ashenvale. Also, remember that aside from Rift PvP and a few related quests, the PvE zones for the other race do not provide leveling content for you. So, really, you'll be spending most of your time (other than time spent playing in The Abyss) leveling from 20-50 in an area the equivalent of three WoW zones. Looking at the WoW maps for a refresher, I can chart my typical 1-60 leveling route there through a total of about 20 zones.


Average linear gameplay - CHECK WRONG - As the game progresses, there is more than one area for level ranges.  The only place it is quite linear is 1-10. You are mostly wrong here. The game is totally linear from level 1 to 20. You have content for levels 20-25 in two zones, but you'll probably want to do all the quests to minimize grinding, so you only have some choice in which one you start in, before you start the process of bouncing back and forth. From level 1 to 25, you will have no alternative route for leveling alts, you will do all the same quests and grind all the same mobs.


Level 25 to 30? One PvE zone, or the Abyss. Once again, you'll probably want to fully avail yourself of all the quests in both places and will still have some grind.
Level 30 to 40? You will be bouncing between the two main PvE zones, plus the Abyss. Once again, you will want to do all the quests, if possible, but will still have some grind.
Level 40-45? Content in one main PvE zone and the Abyss. Same caveat as above.
Level 45 to 50? Choice of two zones to level in, plus the Abyss. Same caveat as above.
You can get some XP from PvP, so that might help break the monotony a little. There are also instances, but unless you enjoy WoW End Game like instance grinds, how many times will you really want to repeat any given instance?
Also, in Aion maybe 75% of your quests are a part of linear quest lines. You have to do the parts in order to keep unlocking further quests. It is very linear.
Pretty-flashy-lights - CHECK Right on that one... some of the best particle effects I've ever seen The game does look nice.


Dumbed Down for children - CHECK WRONG (obviously you didn't get very far and haven't stepped foot into the abyss) I agree with you mostly here. Although many elements are fairly simple and linear, it's not dumbed down for children. The leveling curve is a beast, by recent standards and the PvP environment makes leveling a real challenge. Class customization is minimal though and combat and crafting are pretty straight forward.


Heavily Instanced Zones - CHECK  WRONG Only instanced in the 1-10 zone to prevent lag.  After that, everyone on the server is in the same "instance". Partially wrong here. "Channels" persist through levels 1 to 20. Also, there are a lot of traditional, six man instances. Additionally, it is not an open world. One capitol city, newb zone, beginner zone and three main PvE zones per race. Each only connected to the others via teleports. The Abyss is also split into three sections, Upper, Lower and Middle, each in it's own instance.


No feeling of immersion - CHECK This is a personal one, but no wonder since you don't know that much about the game, you wouldn't feel immersed Immersion is fairly low here. Some zones are beautiful and you get very immersed in the environment. Some are a bit blah and very much to the "theme park" end of the Theme Park<---> Virtual World end of the spectrum. Some areas make sense in the world, others completely feel like they are tailored only for leveling and don't feel organic to the world they are set in.


Mob models and animations are great and there are some nice design elements here and there, but there are also a lot of places where you won't be able to immerse yourself much.
It also not much of a game for explorers. With almost every inch of the world having a very specific purpose in the leveling flow chart. There isn't much to see that you would miss if you only stuck to the quests and didn't go exploring.
 

 

 

Hmmm......

I didn't expect a small world and zoning with loading screens. I hated how small WAR and AoC were.

Maybe Ncsoft will give us a trial? I don't want to pay for another mmo that ends up having small cut up zones with loading screens and "world pvp zones" that are instanced lol. I like playing in a big world.

FastTx

It was over a year before there was even a trial for Lineage 2, even then they only give trial keys to subscribers to give out to their friends. Usually a trial isn't given so early at release but you can play the game for free if you manage to get your hands on an Open Beta key come September 6th.