World-Building: The Ursee
Hello! And welcome to the first of a series of blog updates covering the development and evolution of The Falconeer.
A lot of attention has been finding its way here lately, which is lovely to see! not least due to articles and videos such as Digital Foundry's first impressions - which if you haven't seen already? Is definitely worth a watch!
Waiting for a game can be almost stressful! You get a small glance early on and then piece the rest of it together in your mind until release eventually arrives - you can believe I've been through this exact process any times.
As such I've decided to keep you updated when I get the time with blog posts.
These blogs are going to cover a variety of aspects of the development process, from things like world building and laying out the state of the games universe in this initial update, to covering different mechanics and features of the game as they are announced.
The Falconeer is an ambitious project, and the initial reaction and excitement that has come from you all has been as humbling as it has motivational.
I hope that these little insights into the wonderful world of The Great Ursee help build a picture of what is in store for you once the game finally makes its way into your hands.
Mapping out the Ursee
The Falconeer is set in a fantastical ocean world which its inhabitants call the Ursee.
The Ursee is a vast open world, as beautiful as it is deadly with a variety of natural phenomenon and environmental hazards - heightened by the occupation of several warring factions :
- The Mancers
- The Freebooters
- The Imperium
- Civilians
- Rogue Pirates
All fighting to maintain their own areas of influence and wrestle the mystery and power of the Ursee for their own gain.
(Note - we'll take a look at some of these factions, their history, philosophy and their vessels individually in further updates!)
Areas of Influence
Every faction in the Falconeer seeks to both secure their borders, whilst expanding out their area of influence.
Skirmishes against other factions and raids on trade vessels are common place, and as the story of the Falconeer begins, a clear faction map is in place, somewhat divided by the presence of the world splintering Maw (more on that in a moment!)
The Ursee is truly a world divided
The Northern waters see a somewhat regulated, and standardised existence under the control of the Imperium and a large Civilian influence - allowing for larger settlements and prosperous trade routes.
Meanwhile in the Southern Wilds, the Mancer and Freebooter factions control and maintain a presence amidst a cruel and desolate backdrop.
Volcanic activity and harsh seas mark the tone south of the Maw
The Maw
Returning back to that world dividing mark on the map for a second, it's time to talk about the Maw.
As well as sounding ominous, the Maw is an unnatural scar upon the Great Ursee, marking the divide between the wild untamed South, and the calmer seas of the North.
The nature of the Maw itself is not really discussed amongst the inhabitants of the Ursee, with its violent and secretive origins almost a taboo subject amongst those that know of them, although the Mancer faction is more knowledgeable about the formation and function of the Maw then even the other factions would think.
The Maw - defying logic, reason and physics since 2019
Ever since the Maw came into being, sailors are left with two options when it comes to traversing the divide.
- Travel the long way around the outskirts of the violent scar - exposing themselves to the potential further hardships and adding lengthy time to their voyage.
or
- Pay an Imperial tribute in order to utilise the 'Mawbridge' - a physics defying structure that is almost as wondrous as the Maw itself, and because of its location and purpose? A much sought after strategic location of importance.
The Mawbridge can cut valuable travel time for those desperate to avoid a long voyage - for a price.
The BattleMap
Of course every great ocean world, requires a great map for proper navigation and up to date information, which often can make the difference between life and death out in the Ursee.
The world map of The Falconeer will often take centre stage, used as an important resource for faction leaders, tradesmen, and pirates alike in order to divulge specifics related to missions in a 'battle-map' style briefing.
As it stands the map is still somewhat of a work in progress, and is evolving all the time with land masses being sculpted, added and removed as the Ursee itself takes shape.
By the time launch rolls round we'll be looking at a larger Ursee, with a variety of distinct locations, and more secrets to be discovered.
Thank you!
Well that's about all I've got time for at the moment, these falcons aren't gonna tame themselves, and those Mancer scholars are pretty close to filling me in on how the Maw works - I can feel it!
Thank you for the interest you are showing in the Falconeer. In the coming weeks I will update you with specifics regarding the combat, the traversal, and more on the Ursee, the factions within it and a range of other mechanics and features we haven't focused on yet!
But for now I hope the very basic world layout is enough to get that sense of wonder turning!
If you aren't already - You can keep much more on the fly updates over on the games twitter page - @TheFalconeer , as well as the publisher working with me on this -
@Wiredp
If you want one more step behind the curtain and to see EVERYTHING that comes from my fingers? - @FalconeerDev is where you want to be!
And if you want to come and join a community of Falconeer enthusiasts, talk directly to the producers and myself, and share up to the second feedback on things as they are made?
Then nest yourself up in our discord :- https://discord.gg/PRb2P3Z
Until next time!