Zelda Breath of the Wild NEWS: What Assassin's Creed Origins could learn from Nintendo
NINTENDO Switch launch game Zelda Breath of the Wild could have a huge impact on the way future open-world games are made.
Nintendo Switch launch game Zelda: Breath of the Wild could change the way future open world titles are made.
Assassin's Creed Unity designer Benjamin Plich and Witcher 3 designer Damien Monnier have spoken to GamesIndustry.biz about how Breath of the Wild will shift the open world paradigm.
With the Assassin's Creed series about to make its return with Assassin's Creed Origins, it will be interesting to see if Ubisoft and other developers take a cue from Zelda.
Both developers agree that Nintendo's effort is successful because it gives players true freedom to make discoveries and explore at your own pace.
"Breath of the Wild has managed to bring classic open world mechanics together while not relying on them to guide the player through its world," said Monnier. "You go and explore it because you wonder what's out there, not because a loot icon tells you to.
"While its world includes classic open-world activities, collectibles and loot-filled mobs, it definitely doesn't feel overloaded and allows the focus be on the exploration.
"You want to explore this land whether or not you are on a quest, or being tasked to collect/gather something. You know, If you were to remove all NPCs, quests and mobs, I would still take pleasure in exploring that beautiful world," he added.
Monnier also believes that Zelda benefits from smart placement of points of interest within the environment.
"[The designers use] smart placement of points of interest in the distance, that break the horizon," he continued.
"That includes intriguing natural formations. I find them inviting. Once you do reach one of these points you often feel a shift in the mood that makes you feel as if you have travelled further than you actually have; as if you have gone on a greater journey."
Plich added: "Breath of the Wild showed something most designers already know, but which is hard to achieve... [these games are] evolving from classic open worlds to an open-game model - open progression following each player's intrinsic motivations, adaptive challenge curve and economy, open narrative structures, and so on."
Nintendo releases trailer for The Legend of Zelda
The news comes as Nintendo prepares to reveal more about Breath of the Wild's Master Trials DLC.
The add-on content includes the Trial of the Sword game mode, which gives players the task of fighting through 45 rooms filled with enemies.
"Link starts without any armour or weapons, and if he can defeat all of the enemies in the room, he can proceed to the next area," reads the official description.
"When Link clears all of the trials, the power of the Master Sword will be awakened, and it will always be in its glowing powered-up state while usable."
The DLC also includes a hard mode, complete with tougher enemies and floating treasure guarded by monsters.
Elsewhere, Hero's Path helps players track progress by revealing Link's footsteps on the map.