In various non-realistic theme MMO games full of fantasy elements, you will find that besides humans of different races, there will be many strange creatures. Some of them may have developed to the same level as humans, and some may appear as “monsters” in some encounters.

So as a player, have you ever noticed the various strange creatures in this game when playing New World Aeternum? After defeating them, do you choose to take the dropped New World Aeternum Coins and leave immediately, or will you observe its corpse more?

If you are a more curious player, or you have always paid attention to the art level of a game, you will find that the appearance design of the creatures in New World Aeternum is not randomly pieced together, but carefully designed. In fact, only in this way can the player’s combat experience be more immersive.

So, how are these creatures designed? Next, let us introduce them to you based on some interviews with the game art team.

Where Does The Design Inspiration Of The Creatures Come From?

Regarding this aspect, Sojin Hwang, deputy art director of New World Aeternum art team, said that in games with fantasy worlds as the main body, the design of some non-realistic creatures will actually be influenced by a mixture of mythical and real animals, and designers will actively draw inspiration from various sources.

Many countries and regions around the world have their own different cultures, and the part about mythical creatures provides a rich source of inspiration for the designers of New World Aeternum art team. On this basis, they incorporate fantasy elements and symbolism into the design, making the final result full of fantasy.

In addition, real animals also play an important role. They provide designers with the accuracy and behavior that should be in designing game creatures from an anatomical perspective, so that the creatures are rooted in reality. By studying the movement, texture and ecological adaptability of real animals, designers have designed various species in the game, making them more credible and attractive to players.

Sojin Hwang said that the team hopes to develop designs that are both imaginative and friendly by combining these elements, enriching the game world with diverse and fascinating life. This mix makes the creatures created not only visually striking but also closely connected to the theme of New World Aeternum.

How To Reflect The Design Of Creatures Through Game Lore?

As an important background story component of New World Aeternum, game lore provides designers with the game background, history, roles in the narrative, and environmental background that affect visual and functional aspects when designing game creatures. When a game creature’s appearance and related stories reflect the lore related to the game theme, it will be better integrated into the game world.

In addition, lore may also affect the role of the creature in the game world. Its characteristics and animation style will determine whether it will be designed as a fierce predator or a mysterious guardian. Sometimes, the design of a creature can also develop some new stories because its unique physical characteristics may lead to the emergence of specific lore. For example, by explaining why the creature has certain abilities or behaviors based on its appearance, to enhance its design and narrative significance.

In fact, a well-developed game lore enriches the design process of game creatures, ensuring that each creature is an integral part of New World Aeternum and resonates with players on a deeper level. This close relationship ensures that creatures are not only visually striking but also provide players with a richer, more immersive experience in the game as they navigate the world map.

What Is The Specific Process Of Designing New Creatures?

This type of art design usually starts with an overview of the creature, brainstorming through initial sketches and exploring different ideas between different designers. The design team then completes the creature design document (CDD) and holds detailed meetings to refine various aspects of the design and determine the eventual goal.

Concept artists then collect reference images to design a unified look for the game creatures. After determining the general direction of the appearance, the design team members will communicate again to solicit feedback. After reaching a consensus on the ultimate design, it is necessary to come together again to finalize the details to ensure that the creature’s appearance, behavior, and other aspects are consistent with the game’s theme.

Designing a new creature is a complex task that requires designers to have strong creativity, collaboration, and attention to every design detail. The design team invests a lot of time and effort to ensure that each creature looks unique and memorable, thereby enhancing the player experience.

What Challenges Arise When Designing New Creatures?

A major challenge in this type of design is to ensure that the creatures are designed to fit the environment they live in and avoid some errors. For example, Angry Earth creatures in New World Aeternum live in dense jungles, so their characteristics need to adapt to the surrounding environment.

During the concept design process, in order to minimize the restrictions on the artist’s creativity and avoid affecting their performance, the technical staff in the design team will try their best to solve problems such as file size and performance limitations. However, in fact, there is no need to include too many tiny details. After all, these creatures are not designed as pure works of art, but their main function is to serve the game.

In order to ensure that the game creatures have unique visual features under some technical limitations and want them to have excellent performance in the corresponding game mechanics, it is necessary for the artists and technical teams to iterate and collaborate continuously. Only in this way can we ensure that the final designed creatures are not only visually eye-catching but also can work effectively within the game technology framework.

The above is an introduction to some design ideas and design processes for various creatures in New World Aeternum. If you haven’t seen these creatures yet, you might as well jump into the game and experience how outstanding the designers’ work is.