[
Update: The purpose of this post is to point out the difference in zone count at launch and get reaction. Once I compiled the two lists I was struck by the magnitude of the difference, and thought it would be a good discussion starter. See the ensuing reactions on
Bio Break and
this GameFAQs thread.]
Rift has generated much enthusiasm as a result of its recent open beta. People have been wondering how the Rift game world compares to
World of Warcraft. A comparison of the number of zones in Rift versus WoW at release is illuminating:
| Zones at Launch |
|---|
| Rift | WoW |
|---|
- Mathosia (1-6)
- Terminus (1-6)
- Freemarch (6-20)
- Silverwood (6-20)
- Gloamwood (20-27)
- Stonefield (20-27)
- Scarlet Gorge (26-30)
- Scarwood Reach (30-35)
- Droughtlands (?)
- Iron Pine Peak (?)
- Lake of Solace (?)
- Moonshade Highlands (?)
- Shimmersand (?)
- Stillmoor (?)
| - Dun Morogh (1-10)
- Durotar (1-10)
- Elwynn Forest (1-10)
- Mulgore (1-10)
- Teldrassil (1-10)
- Tirisfal Glades (1-10)
- Darkshore (10-20)
- Loch Modan (10-20)
- Silverpine Forest (10-20)
- Westfall (10-20)
- Barrens (10-25)
- Redridge Mountains (15-25)
- Stonetalon Mountains (15-27)
- Ashenvale (18-30)
- Duskwood (18-30)
- Hillsbrad Foothills (20-30)
- Wetlands (20-30)
- Thousand Needles (25-35)
- Alterac Mountains (30-40)
- Arathi Highlands (30-40)
- Desolace (30-40)
- Stranglethorn Vale (30-45)
- Dustwallow Marsh (35-45)
- Badlands (35-45)
- Swamp of Sorrows (35-45)
- Feralas (40-50)
- Hinterlands (40-50)
- Tanaris (40-50)
- Searing Gorge (45-50)
- Azshara (45-55)
- Blasted Lands (45-55)
- Un'goro Crater (48-55)
- Felwood (48-55)
- Burning Steppes (50-58)
- Western Plaguelands (51-58)
- Deadwind Pass (55-60)
- Eastern Plaguelands (53-60)
- Winterspring (53-60)
- Moonglade (55-60)
- Silithus (55-60)
|
| (Source Telarapedia) | (Source WoWWiki) |
The score for zone count at release is
40-14 WoW over Rift.
A couple of caveats about the zone counts. Mathosia and Terminus, Rift's two initial zones, can only be revisited by starting a new character. WoW had three zones without much content at launch—Moonglade, Deadwind Pass, and Silithus.
WoW currently has
75 zones;
12 were added with
The Burning Crusade,
Wrath of the Lich King added another
12, and
Cataclysm added
11 zones, nine new ones and two created by splitting existing ones.
It will be interesting to see if Trion Worlds is able to sustain the interest of players in Rift with such a low number of zones available to max level players.
Posts
Number of zones does not a game make. Gameplay, however, wins over number of zones.
ReplyDeleteBTW, it is impressive that you dug all that up -- and welcome back to blogging!
ReplyDeleteOne thing to think about is also the level brackets. While having 6 10-25 general range zones provides variety it's mostly space during the initial rush and then alt fodder for those who read the quests. The levels aren't known for the later Rift zones but it looks to be around 10 for both.
ReplyDeleteRift, being more conflict focused, may benefit from the more forced co-mingling of teams. Having redundant variety did no favors for WAR.