Red Central will be seeing some very significant changes to aesthetic and cultural over the coming weeks.
I've designation four locations in the Mix to act as Cultural Districts that emphasize some of the primary cultures we see in the game world without without obstructing the hard Mix melting pot feel of the center of the sector.
It's important to note that while these Cultural Districts link very closely to the "Factions" of organized crime in the Mix, they do not set boundaries for the 'turf' these Factions control. These are cultural hubs, not territory markers for crime syndicates. Just because you're Russian mafia and you are in the Russian district, doesn't mean Russians generally enjoy the company of dangerous criminals.
The first Cultural District to be deployed is "The Gulag"
The Gulag is the new home in the Mix for the Russian & Eastern European culture. Each district is marked clearly with a 'gateway or entranceway' of sorts that's clearly marked so you know when you're entering a culture-dense area of the Mix. You'll find ethnic foods, cultural references, and references to the timeline for associate culture/race with events that happen in the game's History to try to assist in pulling new and old players alike into what it means to be "RUSSIAN" in Withmore or the Sindome world in general.
We'll be making some changes as we go but right now the Gulag is ICly deployed with new ambient population messaging, new descriptions, and a new vendor.
As I get further along I'll be updating more of the NPCs that are static to the area or that are based in and around the area such as the Arteries to include more ethnic/cultural distinction when you 'look' at them.
Please treat these Cultural Districts as if they've always been there. They're significant changes but you need to proceed as if you've never really paid that much attention to the people and the area before, you're noticing now the cultural distinction that's been mixed in with the dense crowds of Mixers.
Next Cultural District will be Chinatown followed by Little Kyoto and a yet to be named Latin Trade Collective inspired zone.
Let me know what you think, and I'll take recommendations for further improvements to the zones. Please keep in mind we're working with the existing space and not trying to add new rooms to each area.
