World expansion, race models, and visual updates

The recording outlines several visual and world-building priorities tied to the next major update. As PvE development expands, the game is expected to open more explorable space, add interiors, and continue revising character and asset quality to bring older content up to the newer visual standard.

Expanded explorable areas

The next large update is expected to include more environment available for PvE and exploration. The speakers avoid promising a fully open continent, noting that a completely open world would be a much larger undertaking, but they do indicate that players should expect more places to explore, hunt, and encounter enemies.

This expansion is directly linked to the need for PvE spaces rather than being treated as exploration for its own sake.

Building interiors

An interior system is said to be in development for selected buildings. The tavern is identified as the first priority, with the implication that important structures will gradually become enterable rather than remaining closed shells.

Race model revisions

Several playable race models are being revisited after the battleground test pipeline exposed weaknesses in earlier implementations. The four races used in the PvP build were created while the new character-production pipeline was still being established, so some assets are described as less polished than intended.

The Baron receive the most detailed discussion. Their current in-game appearance is considered unsatisfactory, especially in body structure and silhouette. The planned revision aims to make them feel larger, more imposing, and more threatening, with a shape language closer to a taurine-style heavy build than to a softer panda-like silhouette.

Human female facial work is also being revised. The stated goal is to avoid both uncanny realism and overly stylized, doll-like features, aiming instead for a believable fantasy-human appearance.

Mount and asset consistency

Mounts are also being updated to match the newer visual standard. The recording mentions new textures, physically based rendering treatment, normal maps, and in some cases resculpting to support improved material detail.

This is framed as part of a broader effort to make the game's assets feel coherent in quality rather than leaving older models noticeably behind newer ones.

Visual effects and environmental polish

The visual effects team is credited with improving interactive objects and combat presentation. One example discussed is the updated appearance of soul-granting chests in Morning Pass, which are described visually as old coffins or caskets tied to the battleground's lore.

A lingering glowing-ground bug seen after battleground play is acknowledged as an unintended artifact, though the speakers note that a similar effect could inspire future environmental visuals.

Ongoing graphics overhaul

The stream frames these changes as part of a longer-running response to criticism of the game's older graphics. The developers present the newer combat visuals, updated assets, and ongoing race revisions as evidence that the project is actively replacing earlier placeholder or lower-quality presentation with more refined art.

Source

• Recording: Free Open Stress Test Stream | Scars of Honor - November 2024
• YouTube: Watch on YouTube
• Published: Friday, November 15, 2024 at 4:03 PM UTC