About the Project
Wayfinder started out as a Live Service game, was later converted to Single Player/Co-op
Worked on both the Events and Narrative teams
Created half a dozen public Events
Created dozens of quests
Prototyped and implemented the Wayfinder Memories system
Event Design
My first tasks on Wayfinder was to create Events in a shared, open, multiplayer space called the Highlands. Previously, Events had been created in our versions of dungeons, and no one had done an open world Event yet. I thought about what’s the difference between an Event in a dungeon and one in an open space? My answer was spectacle.
An open world has plenty of space for something large and maybe even a little startling to happen. I thought that a giant meteor coming down from the sky and shaking the world would be a good way to tell everyone in the zone, “Hey, go over here and check it out,” without having to say it.
The game also had a persistent multiplayer world during this time, so technically players could join in an in-progress Event. That made me think Events in the Highlands should mainly just be combat focused, with controlled waves to allow time for people to join in that wanted to.
I worked on several Events in the Highlands. The ones I’m proudest of are the Sphere of Influence (shown below) and the Gloom Tear, which had players opening a rift to the Gloom (Wayfinder’s version of shadow/chaos magic infiltrating our world) and actually enter a different world to fight a boss.
The collaboration between departments is what brings gameplay like this to life. Without FX, sound, art, and combat working together, the experience wouldn’t shine.
Sphere of Influence
Narrative Design
Frostmarch Sidequest: Mocca My Dear
In a fast, action paced game like Wayfinder, it’s hard to find the right space for a narrative heavy quest, much less one of a personal nature.
To have any chance of creating an emotional connection, I had to get the player’s attention. One way I felt could work was if a quest was organically discovered so that it felt opt-in, as opposed to perfunctory, like when you grab all the quests in town before heading out.
You see a dog wanting to play, and who doesn’t want to take a moment out from killing monsters to play fetch? If you don’t want to do that, then I would ask, who is the monster here?
Mocca My Dear deals with the nature of grief and the sad realities of pet ownership. I wanted to make something that resonated with those that are on the more sensitive side, and talk about those feelings and thoughts we learn to keep private to all except those closest to us.
Arsenal Questline: Shadow of the Eclipse
The Eclipse is a powerful, cursed weapon, brought forth from the shadows, corrupting and controlling any that dare to wield it. Honestly, who doesn’t love a cursed weapon story? The quest is ultimately about seeing the potential in something, wanting it to work, but then watching it twist and crumble right before you. I was able to use my experience in creating Events to script some memorable moments.
Mocca Part 1
Mocca Part 3
Mocca Part 2
Eclipse, First Encounter with Anson
Lady of the Bog was another quest I worked on
