We need dynamic weather

[Zackie.8923]

I was watching peachy's stream the other day on FF14 and one thing that stood out was the dynamic weather. it really adds atmosphere and feel to the game. not just limited to specific areas in specific zones, that is weird.

[ShogunTaira.1843]

I don't know if it's needed per se, but it would be a welcome addition nonetheless. The game is already pretty focused on breathtaking graphics overall and this would reinforce it a little. We saw a bit of it in the Living Story areas, but not much beyond that.

To expand on it, I think I see a relatively simple implementation of this considering Anet's current systems: manipulate particle emitters to give the illusion of dynamic weather. Just place a bunch of them in an area that would benefit from it (i.e a blizzard effect in the flat icey plain in Wayfarer Foothills) and have it be manipulated at random intervals. For example, the blizzard effect could be more or less powerful during the day or night, or it could give the player an icy overlay texture to simulate accumulated snow. It's a super specific example, but one that struck my mind as I was writing this. Hooray for spontaneous creativity!

[Tanuk.7961]

Lightning during night time would look amazing I think. Especially with water reflections set to all.

[Spiral.3724]

That would be interesting but probably hard on the fps. I do love going to zones where it's storming or snowing though!

[The Greyhawk.9107]

"Need" and "Want" are two different things. And this issue is very much a "want".

Hate Is Fuel.

[tool.5769]

Wouldn't mind having it but I don't think it should be high in priorities. A little flavor is nice but this might be quite a huge undertaking to make happen.

[Celldrax.2849]

It's something I've occasionally thought about while playing the game.

I'm the sort who really loves the exploration of open world games, so having a weather cycle would do so much for immersion.

Map wide weather patterns are unlikely though, but I can dream.

[Yargesh.4965]

Absolutely dislike this in every game I play[ed]. I get enough rain in real life I really don't want to see more every half hour in game.

[rapthorne.7345]

As an active player of FFXIV, I can say it does add a lot of flavour and dynamics to the maps. It helps create the illusion that the maps aren't in an isolated bubble locked off in their own world.

But if I remember from one of the producer letters, the weather system is a core aspect of the engine, so adding something like it to GW2 that's more than just a hackjob would be a lot of work

[Ashantara.8731]

As long as the game engine hasn't been optimized to better utilize post-2009 systems, and thereby increase the overall performance of the game, anything that could possibly lead to lag and low FPS should be avoided.

P.S. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have dynamic weather and upvoted the OP.

[Danikat.8537]

The weather does change in some areas. I'm not sure if it's dynamic weather or tied to events or what, but it definitely changes.

For example I've got screenshots of the river at the north end of Bloodtide Coast (just outside the entrance to LA) in the pouring rain and others where it's bright sunlight. I also had a screenshot taken at the top of a waterfall in Timberline Falls as my desktop wallpaper which prompted me to go back there when gliding in core maps was enabled so I could glide off and when I got there I was really confused that it didn't look right at all, then I realised it's because it was slightly foggy in-game whereas it was sunny in the screenshot.

But then in other areas I can't remember it ever changing. Shaemoor for example, I don't think I've ever seen anything but bright sunshine there.

If it is possible to add weather effects to more areas that would be nice. I don't mind if it's inconsistent (e.g. pouring rain in Queensdale and bright sun in Kessex Hills), just the variety would be good.

[Nyel.1843]

Hasn't GW2 some kind of dynamic weather? I mean the weather is constantly changing, isn't it? Or what's the difference?

[Flatley.1620]

I'd love to see more weather too, especially storms and rain. Perhaps make it seasonal too? Mind you snow covering Queensdale in winter might need a map reskin (not sure what the tech term for it is but it would almost ne a new map)

[Stalkingwolf.6035]

i love dynamic weather in WoW. Over the years they tuned it down. But questing in Stranglethorn and the rain starts was very atmospheric. i would love to see that in Guild Wars 2.

[DakotaCoty.5721]

FFXIV also has different wind physics than we do.

For example, if we see wind blowing, our hair doesn't react nor our armor - so there would need to be additional levels of coding added just for it to look immersive. But it would be great to see hair redone and armor physics revamped so a weather system like this could work.

I think there's only few skins that react to in-game physics, I believe the Silly Scimitar is one of them, but no actual serious skins. Oh and also the whip sword.

[Phineas Drayke.6381]

I would love dynamic weather! But I'd love even more to have real nights! Like BDO alpha nights. Not the tuned down version they got now. Out of cities/villages, you should'nt be able to see a lot withour a bright moon or a torch. But well, thats just me ^^

[Ayuruk.3980]

That would be cool!

[Helbjorne.9368]

Maybe this is something we'll see in an engine update/overhaul, which hopefully includes Dx12. Although such an undertaking would definitely be expansion sized, so unfortunately we'll probably have to wait another 2 years.

[RoseofGilead.8907]

"Need"? Definitely not. But it would still be a neat feature to see, along with darker nights.

[Tiscan.8345]

Uhm? GW2 already has a dynamic weather-system. They just don't use it an aweful lot.

[Aaricia.9758]

I spent some of my time away from GW2 playing FFXIV and the weather was stunning. The idea of gliding through a storm of thunder and lightning sounds questionable in real life---but seems to be a perfect idea for Tyria. I would welcome this addition to Tyria, most definitely.

[Daniel.5428]

I think Anet can come with some weather effects without affecting the performance too much. It would be something.

[TheGrimm.5624]

Not sure I would prioritize this over other things. We do have a large number of visual effects in game already. I think if they were to add this they would also need to add in ways to disable it since people are already turning off particle effects to reduce system impact and people in PvP use standard models to reduce players masking ability tells. Not saying it isn't an ambitious goal, but would prefer new maps (WvW, PvP, PvE, Fractals, Dungeons, World Bosses) before something like this myself.

[The Greyhawk.9107]

@Tiscan.8345 said:Uhm? GW2 already has a dynamic weather-system. They just don't use it an aweful lot.

Quoting since people aren't paying attention to those pointing this out.

.Hate Is Fuel

[Alga.6498]

@The Greyhawk.9107 said:

@Tiscan.8345 said:Uhm? GW2 already has a

dynamic weather-system

. They just don't use it an aweful lot.

Quoting since people aren't paying attention to those pointing this out.

.

Hate Is Fuel

But I think they are talking about Snow, Rain, Storm, Thunderstorm etc.We do have Night/Day cycle and a few rainy areas and of course snow at the Norn areas.Sure, I am all up for new weathers, even an update of the night weather which will be really, really dark. GW1 Nightfall had some areas who had the superdark night, something similar to that I'd like to see here in GW2