New World is introducing mounts as part of its upcoming Rise of the Angry Earth expansion, marking a significant addition to the game. In the latest Forged in Aeternum, the development team delves deeper into the details of these new forms of transportation in Aeternum.
Mounts have been a highly anticipated feature, and their inclusion in the game is the result of extensive community feedback and a year of development. Senior game designer Andy Manches sheds light on the year-long journey, beginning with his passion for locomotion in games. He emphasizes that the development process goes beyond merely facilitating travel from point A to point B.
Balancing the impact of mounts, especially in player-versus-environment (PvE) scenarios, was relatively straightforward. The goal was to prevent players from trivializing game content by using mounts to quickly bypass challenges. As a result, there are instances where enemies can dismount players based on specific factors.
For player-versus-player (PvP) situations, any hit from another player will dismount the target. The team even discusses potential strategies, like using a bow and arrow to dismount opponents during PvP encounters.
The addition of mounts is expected to enhance the player experience, allowing them to explore the game world more efficiently. Elements such as dash mechanics and on-screen effects contribute to the sensation of high-speed travel and rejuvenate the overall gameplay experience.
To determine a player’s mount speed, rather than attaching it as an inherent trait of the mount, the team opted to make it a property of the player character. This is achieved through the riding trade skill, which can be leveled up in various ways. Completing mount quests will be a crucial method for gaining riding XP, with quests offering diverse challenges such as reaching checkpoints, timed activities, exploration, and even racing.
Customization options for mounts include visual-only gear, in the form of skins. These can be applied to mounts, and there are also mount attachment items, like shields, which can receive trade skill-related skins. Players can personalize their mounts with a range of visual enhancements, with more skins planned for addition to the in-game store. Some skins may also be obtainable through PvP activities.
The team has exciting plans for additional mounts, including more elaborate and armored mounts available through the in-game store – get New World Gold Coins safe & quickly, as well as dyes to provide even more customization options for players to explore.