I was just thinking it'd be kinda cool to see a more realistic feel to Townson.

For one, the fact that's always 'Day' in Townston no matter when you log in has kinda seemed a little bit 'odd', especially when the version of Pwnston from the chunk just prior to the last heave looks ALOT like the night version of Townston...

Maybe with the "new" graphics engine upgrade coming later this year, a TRUE day/night system can be implemented in the client, maybe by calculating the time in their GMT timezone based on their country setting or some other identifying feature...

Also since there would be now be a true 'night' why not have all the merchants open 24/7 but with different characters running them each with a unique personality and voice.

Weather could also use a stronger presence here in the game. In the outdoor levels, a more realistic wind model to blow the leaves around as well as actual rain in the forrest scenes would be very cool....

We already have what passes for snow in the snow levels but we all know it's not THAT accurate looking (sorry guy's it's really not) so maybe we would get a "Heck Yea" from the Dev's and upgrade this as well...

Adding fog to the indoor or large outdoor Dungeon areas I'm pretty certain has already been mentioned before but I'll add it here again for sake of completeness...

Im sure a number of these things are planned. With this graphics engine there is only a limited amount that they can do. We havent heard much about the new engine but I am thinking some of this would be possible. Although some of your ideas (wind, weather) are going to slow the game down for people with slowing computers so would be nice if optional.

I had this thought come to mind as well. I can see it being written off as "pointless" by some, but it changes things up and makes things interesting.

I agree the wind and weather maybe a bit much, but at the very least, a day and night. Have certain shops open up at night. Perhaps shady items/weapons/potions dealers that hang out in unusual spots in Townston. They could sell regular items, but also some special items and abilities.

I'd like to see a day/night cycle. Have it last about .. two hours? Maybe one? Don't want to make it too long, but not too short either.

Townston at night would look nice with all the torches lit. If the NPC crowd would change at night too, that would be cool.

The main problem with this idea is that not all players are in the main 4 US timezones and they would ALWAYS be playing at night possibly. And if you try to cater to all by using GMT, then you will have pissed-off players on both sides.

You want darkness? You can always turn down the brightness in the game.

Yeah I don't think aligning to time zones would work.

Aligning to Timezones would not work unfortunately. However in several survers there is more than one Townston. So it's an easy fix to Adapt each townston to a different time of day. Then players can go to whichever one they want to according to their timezones.

Now as far as Realistic Weather goes...I agree entirely... Just make it have an OFF switch within options. Cuase sometimes... it's really really a distraction...

They have snow in the ice level, maybe they can use that from time to time?

I have not fought everywhere in game yet, I have gone as far as Frump. Thus, my opinion may be inaccurate, so feel free to correct me... It appears that the majority of everything in the game takes place in a dungeon or a cave setting, (aside from Dew Valley and the SC areas, etc.) As such, weather and time of day would have no effect at all.

Caves can have fog or fire. There are also many "forrest" areas even if in a cave or underground area where there could be rain or fog or extreme heat.

This could work and work well, it just depends on the interest level and the willingness of the Dev's to WANT it to be in the game and it could happen.

Although I'm usually the devil's advocate, I actually like this idea eventhough my computer is less than graphically "uber". Shutting it off would be fine for people like me, and Id love to have fog effects, gouts of fire, etc etc.

Nighttime in townston would also be excellent, with the included ideas. The we could really havew a true cult in W7 and chant at designated times....

"The night time is the right time...The night time is the right time!" lol....

I competely agree that there should be some settings for this under the Graphics sub menu, but just like Oblivion, you could go from basic graphics to (if you have the horsepower under the hood) 16X AA, 8X AF and all the eycandy turned up full....