Revisiting Pre-existing Content

Festivals have consistently been a strange piece of content to manage over the last year. They were worked on by several pairs of hands before I took on the task of babysitting this corner of our game, and adding new content without paying attention to the old somehow felt very irresponsible to me.

I’ve put as much effort into making each festival experience as cohesive as possible as I have into implementing new events. Not only do I want every season’s celebration to feel balanced in the amount of content and rewards it offers, but I hope to make every area balanced as well. Making new content for each season is the easy part, and the fun part, as well…but trying to make sure Duillond, the Party Tree, Thorin’s Inn, and the Horsefields all offer an equal amount of diverse and fun gameplay has been the greatest challenge, and one that is still underway.

I’m looking forward to seeing our festivals grow ever larger. We’re well on our way; new highlights are coming in with every book update, and this will continue to build and grow the range of these special recurring events. But equal attention is given to ensuring that vendors are present in the right places, that quests are localized to the party grounds, and that liberal party decor helps to enhance the atmosphere in which quests and rewards are being offered. For example, party musicians are now present at each stage to liven up the dance lessons as you perform steps one, two and three.

You’ll find that Yule quest-givers have moved to where you’re sure to spot them, and that the items they’ll have you collect will not require you to trek so great a distance as you expect. Instead of in the town of Bree, the Yule quests are right at the party grounds on the Horsefields. The quest-givers of Thorin’s Hall have also retired to the more festive inn, for they wish to see if the beer-fight draws as much of a crowd as many dwarf-patrons have anticipated.

I hope this year’s Yule Festival is a fun one for you! We look forward to seeing you there.

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