Dragon Age: Inquisition The Exalted Plains Blog Update #2
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Continuing from their previous blog entry, BioWare has set out to tell us more about The Exalted Plains in Dragon Age: Inquisition by sharing some developer commentary from senior environment artist Andrew Farrell and two more screenshots in this latest update. The screenshots have been mirrored in our image gallery, and I'll quote from the blog below:
As this is the Dales, one might wonder: what's become of the Dalish elves?
(They've retreated into an area with more security away from all the fighting,) explains Farrell. (Of course, they've got a few problems of their own.)
The Crow Fens is one section of the Exalted Plains. In contrast to the sprawling hills elsewhere in the area, the Fens is claustrophobic, creating tension as you wonder what lies in wait for you around the next corner. According to Farrell, the Fens was the perfect playground for his imagination to run wild.
Using the power of the Frostbite 3 game engine and next-generation technology, utilizing water in levels is one of the achievements the team is most proud of.
(Interactive water is one of the key things we've added to next-gen,) says lead environment artist Ben McGrath. (It's got realistic reflections, and also realistically ripples and splashes as you walk through it.)
This is all made possible by a technology advancement known as (displacement mapping). McGrath describes the benefits it adds to the game:
(Displacement mapping adds a new level of realism to the environment. Normal maps [in previous-gen technology] brought great detail to surfaces, but displacement mapping actually pushes those details out so you can see them in the silhouette. The place where it's probably the most noticeable is on terrain. Pebbles, sand ripples, cobblestones, and other details all pop out from the terrain and make it far more detailed than ever before.)
Once an area is built, its ecosystem brings it to life. While exploring the Exalted Plains, you're likely to see the halla, birds, and wolves that have made it home. Make your way into the Crow Fens, and you'll find yourself amidst drakes, dragonlings, and dragonkin.
