Creating the Massive Map of Dragon’s Dogma 2: Insights from Series Creator Hideaki Itsuno

Dragon’s Dogma 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed action RPG, is set to release on March 22, 2024. One of the most intriguing aspects of the game is its massive map, which is reportedly four times the size of the original game’s world. In a recent conversation with IGN, series creator Hideaki Itsuno shared some insights into how the team crafted this expansive and engaging game world.

Initially, Itsuno intended the map to be only 1.5 to 2 times the size of the first game’s world. However, as the team began to fill the map with interesting content, it grew significantly larger. Itsuno explains, “We’ve placed items on the map and figured out ways to guide the player’s eye so that there aren’t any moments when they feel bored.” This approach is common in action games, where players are often presented with a large map filled with various landmarks and objectives. Itsuno and his team paid close attention to the placement of these landmarks and the paths players would take to reach them.

One of Itsuno’s primary goals was to create a sense of danger and excitement in the map. To achieve this, the team did extensive location scouting, including visiting tall landmarks like Osaka Castle and Abeno Harukas skyscraper. Itsuno wanted the team to understand the feeling of danger that comes from being in high places and convey that feeling to players through environmental cues and design. He also wanted to make the experience of climbing a mountain more realistic than simply dragging a character up a slope.

When designing the map, Itsuno and his team considered the idea of creating a map that lets players go anywhere they want but instead placed areas that players wouldn’t want to visit on it. This approach would allow the team to focus on specific areas of the map while still maintaining the feeling of freedom for the player. Itsuno explains, “Everyone takes paths that circle around the mountain, so we’d talk about why they did that instead of using some other route, and the answer is that it looks so tough. It’s not that you want to go but can’t, it’s that you don’t even consider taking that route to begin with.”

The team also wanted to ensure that players would always have something to discover and explore on the map. They paid close attention to the placement of landmarks and the paths players would take to reach them, ensuring that there would always be something new and interesting to discover. Itsuno explains, “We were able to able to give a lot of consideration to this kind of mapmaking at the grey- and white-box stages, before we really sat down to make them.”

Creating a massive map for Dragon’s Dogma 2 was a significant challenge for Itsuno and his team. However, by focusing on creating a sense of danger, excitement, and discovery, they were able to craft a world that is not only larger but also more engaging and immersive for players. With its intricate design and vast expanse, the map of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is sure to be a highlight of the game and provide players with countless hours of exploration and adventure.

In conclusion, the creation of the massive map of Dragon’s Dogma 2 involved extensive location scouting, careful consideration of player behavior, and a focus on creating a sense of danger, excitement, and discovery. By taking these approaches, Itsuno and his team were able to craft a world that is not only larger but also more engaging and immersive for players. With its intricate design and vast expanse, the map of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is sure to be a highlight of the game and provide players with countless hours of exploration and adventure.

As we continue to learn more about Dragon’s Dogma 2, be sure to check back with IGN for the latest news, reviews, and features. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts on the game in the comments below.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

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Dragon’s Dogma II
Dragon’s Dogma II
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MAR 22, 2024
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References
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