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General: Africa: Developer Journal

DanaDana Member Posts: 2,415
in News & Features Discussion

Tracy Spaight, the designer of Africa and VP of R&D at Rapid Reality, brings us an Africa developer journal on an element of the game called The Dreamscape. The Dreamscape is an alternate reality that players can explore within themselves.

image How do you know, beyond any doubt, that you’re not dreaming right now? Philosophers and poets have pondered this question for millennia. To the dreamer, the dream realm can seem as real as the waking world. In Africa’s “dreamscape,” the boundary between the waking world and the dream realm is a hazy one: players will be able to step into their own dreams and adventure in the primeval forest of their unconscious mind.

The dreamscape is a randomized, instanced space that players can explore when their characters sleep – which they must do periodically. In the dreamscape players can receive visions, undertake quests, learn new skills, and hone their spiritual powers. They may find hidden sources of strength that will make them better hunters, warriors, and shamans in the waking world.

You can read the journal here.

Dana Massey
Formerly of MMORPG.com
Currently Lead Designer for Bit Trap Studios

Comments

  • TymoraTymora Member UncommonPosts: 1,295

    An excellent, innovative idea from an original mmorpg.  The Dreamscape can open many more possibilities as far as gameplay goes, and can stretch what I hope is otherwise a more "realistic" game.

    I can't wait for more info on Africa.  I haven't been this excited about an upcoming mmorpg since Fallen Earth.

  • FergRedbeardFergRedbeard Member Posts: 69
    The whole dreamscape idea sounds really interesting.  To a certain extent it sounds somewhat linear in the idea that only specific events trigger dreamscape sessions.  My question is will you be able to explore the dreamscape at any time or only those specified events with a specific goal in mind in the dreamscape?  Either way...the dreamscapes allows the introduction of more "fantastic" elements in a game that is supposed to be more realistic....good idea!
  • MiexonMiexon Vendetta Online CorrespondentMember Posts: 181
    This game looks very interesting and original. I will keep my eye on it.

    Member of the Phoenix Alliance Guild
    in Vendetta Online
    www.vendetta-online.com

  • DodooDodoo Member Posts: 78

    If they manage to create a good semi-random instance generator for Africa's Dreamscape and The Chronicle's Death Realm and succeed in implementing an EAI in online games, it will be a huge markstone in the history of MMORPGs.

    I wish them the best and really hope they will overcome all the technical difficulties.

  • FlatfingersFlatfingers Member Posts: 114

    As someone who's big into personality theory (and its Jungian roots), I'm delighted to see a game make use of archetypal figures as an actual part of gameplay.

    But I did wonder about this sentence in the dev journal:

    Players can die in the dreamscape.

    Ummm... OK, I understand that Africa is committed to providing a deeply engaging gameplay experience, but is it possible that this might be taking immersiveness just a little bit too far?

    --Flatfingers

  • jigeredjigered Member Posts: 18

    Very, very interesting idea!!

    two tumbs up!

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