Most MMOs are rife with numerous content and game systems that help bring their particular world together, making it feel more immersive and alive. Some of these systems may not be noticeable on the surface at first, but after a bit of digging and exploring, a player can discover a fortune in gameplay. The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ is no different. Our goal is to not only provide an epic story spanning across the lands of Eriador, but also support that story ¨C and our world as a whole ¨C with fun and interesting World Content Systems.
Welcome to World Content Systems 101
World Content Systems encompass all the little bits and pieces of gameplay and non-quest content available in the game. These systems include Ambient Creatures, Treasure Chests, Rare Monsters, and Crafting Resource Nodes. Each system is designed to help make Eriador feel more complete and alive. After all, what fun is running from one place to another without something to see and do on the way there?
Look at the cute little squirrel!
The Ambient Creatures system has a large impact on immersion in the world, despite being the smallest of these systems and the easiest to design and implement. What would a forest be without random deer, fox and (grey...) squirrels meandering through it? While other beasts may also be present, the inclusion of passive creatures helps make an aggressive world appear less so and provides for better immersion in a seemingly living world.
Ambient Creatures are not limited solely to the fields, marshes, and forests. Farms are crowded with chicken roosts, pig pens, and cow pastures. You might even spy the local tabby cat sunning itself upon the cobblestones of Bree!
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