"Travels Afar" Scenic Spot Collaboration Documentary - Zhangjiajie Chapter

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在开放世界游戏美术创作中，地貌作为承接这个世界所有内容的基础，显得尤为重要。 以张家界雄奇秀美的峰林为灵感，我们创作了璃月绝云间、天衡山入口等区域，并邀请美术将幕后创作思路与旅行者们一同探讨。
希望游戏中的美景可以吸引大家亲自探访山水之美，带着《原神》踏上现实世界的远行。
One of the most important elements while designing an aesthetic for an open-world game is the topography, which serves as a foundation for all other content.
Inspired by the majestic topography of Zhangjiajie's karst landscapes, we created areas such as Liyue's Jueyun Karst and the entrance to Mt. Tianheng. In this chapter of the documentary, we invite our artists to discuss the creative philosophy behind those locations with you.

## The Creative Inspiration for Liyue

我们始终将提瓦特大陆当做一个真实存在的世界来设计，七国各有主题。
We have always viewed Teyvat as a real world we were designing, with seven distinct nations. Each region has unique features and cultures that we hope to bring to life for players.

海地 《原神》场景美术负责人：《原神》是一款开放世界游戏。我们始终将提瓦特大陆当做是一个真实存在的世界来设计。七国各有主题，每个地区对应怎样的自然风貌，有着怎样的人文风情，都是我们想要传达的东西。我们在规划设计之初就决定，其中一个地区会以奇幻世界观下的中国风主题进行创作，也就是大家现在看到的璃月。目前大家能够看到的有中国风内容的开放世界游戏还比较少。我们希望能通过璃月的创作，将心目中的「中式美」传达给全世界玩家。《原神》利用二次元卡通渲染特有清新明快的画风，与中国风的各种自然风貌和人文要素相结合，来传达璃月地区的核心美术视觉。同时，我们在现实参考的基础上进行奇幻感的美术视觉包装，来传达出《原神》自己的美术调性。
Haidi, Environment Art Team Lead: *Genshin Impact* is an open-world game. We have always designed the continent of Teyvat as a realistically existing world. Each of the seven nations has its own theme, and each region corresponds to different natural landscapes and cultural styles. These are the things we want to convey. From the beginning of the planning and design, we decided that one of the regions would be created with a Chinese fantasy theme, which is what you see as Liyue. Currently, there are relatively few open-world games with Chinese elements. Through the creation of Liyue, we hope to convey the concept of "Chinese aesthetic" to players worldwide. *Genshin Impact* combines the fresh and vibrant art style unique to two-dimensional cartoon rendering with various natural landscapes and cultural elements of Chinese culture to convey the core visual aesthetics of the Liyue region. At the same time, we incorporate a sense of fantasy art based on real-world references to present the unique artistic style of *Genshin Impact*.

## How Scenery Designers Create the "Chinese-Style Aesthetic"

海地 《原神》场景美术负责人：在开放世界（游戏）美术创作的过程当中，地貌作为承接这个世界所有内容的基础显得尤为重要。璃月要选用什么样的自然风貌作为中国风的代表来传达给全世界玩家，同时还要保证所有人对这种要素的接受度。这是我们在前期不断思考的地方。为此，我们进行了大量的影像资料收集，以及实地的采风。经过反复的筛选对比，我们最终把张家界确定为灵感来源之一。
Haidi, Environment Art Team Lead: In the process of artistic creation in an open-world (game), the terrain serves as the foundation that connects all the elements of this world, making it particularly important. For Liyue, what kind of natural landscapes should be chosen as representatives of Chinese aesthetics to convey to players worldwide, while ensuring their universal appeal? This is a question we constantly pondered during the early stages. To achieve this, we conducted extensive research on visual materials and went on field trips. After thorough selection and comparison, we ultimately identified Zhangjiajie as one of our sources of inspiration.

强鸽 《原神》璃月绝云间 场景原画：它最吸引我们的一点是地貌本身足够奇幻。有点不像这个世界的东西。这是来过张家界的中外游客都能感受到的共同的一种认知。砂岩为主的地貌作为提瓦特七神里「岩之神」领地的标志，也是很合适的。在美术表现上这种高耸的砂岩峰林之间，云雾的留白能带来更多的想象空间，近似于中国传统山水画里的写意手法。通过进一步的原画氛围图的表现，确定这就是我们想要的感觉。
Qiang Ge, Scenery Concept Artist: One of the most captivating aspects is the fantastical nature of the landscape itself. It feels somewhat otherworldly, unlike anything in this world. This is a shared perception among both domestic and international visitors to Zhangjiajie. The predominance of sandstone formations as the symbol of the territory of the Geo Archon, one of seven Archons of Teyvat, is also fitting. In terms of artistic expression, the towering sandstone peaks and forests provide ample room for imagination through the blank spaces of clouds and mist, reminiscent of the freehand brushwork technique found in traditional Chinese landscape paintings. By further depicting the atmosphere through concept art, we confirm that this is the feeling we desire.

尚巍 张家界市博物馆馆长：张家界地貌用一句话来说就是由荒山到平台到峰墙然后到峰林然后到残林，就是这么一个发展轨迹。因为它有完整的发展轨迹，所以联合国自然遗产组织专门到这里来进行了实地考察多次，最后命名为张家界地貌。
Shang Wei, Zhangjiajie Museum Director: In a nutshell, the landscape of Zhangjiajie can be described as a progression from barren hills to plateaus, then to peak walls, followed by peak forests and eventually residual forests. This is the developmental trajectory it follows. Due to its complete development trajectory, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conducted multiple field investigations here and ultimately designated it as the Zhangjiajie Geopark.

林子 《原神》璃月绝云间 关卡美术：游戏里的「绝云间」是璃月仙人隐居之处，而张家界这种千山耸立和云雾缭绕的感觉就非常适合用做绝云间这块的美术主视觉。游戏内同时也取材了一些栈桥和吊桥的人文要素来点缀在璃月的千山之中。玩家在璃月探索游历的过程中，可以充分地感受到特有的冒险体验。
Lin Zi, Level Artist: In the game, Jueyun Karst is the secluded residence of the Immortal of Liyue. The sensation of Zhangjiajie's towering mountains and enveloping mist is perfect for creating the artistic visual representation of Jueyun Karst. The game also incorporates elements of footbridges and suspension bridges to embellish the thousand mountains of Liyue. As players explore and travel through Liyue, they can fully experience the unique adventure it offers.

岩浆 《原神》璃月天衡山 关卡美术：璃月港的必经之路——天衡山的入口，灵感来源于天门山。由此拾级而上能够营造出一种仪式感。进入天衡山后豁然发现贸易之都璃月港，这种强烈的视觉与空间对比更衬托出璃月厚重的自然与人文底蕴。
Yan Jiang, Level Artist: The entrance to Mt. Tianheng, a must-pass route to Liyue Harbor, takes inspiration from Tianmen Mountain. Ascending its steps creates a sense of ceremony. Upon entering Tianheng Mountain, one suddenly discovers the bustling trading hub of Liyue Harbor. This strong visual and spatial contrast further highlights the profound natural and cultural heritage of Liyue.

## About the Future Direction

海地 《原神》场景美术负责人：在《原神》的未来规划里，后续地图板块将逐步开放。游戏里演绎的故事也会越来越丰富。这些内容将支撑美术去创造更夸张、更奇幻的美术表现。我们整个团队将继续全力塑造富有冒险感、奇幻感，满足探索欲、有高度沉浸感的提瓦特大陆给全球玩家。
Haidi, Environment Art Team Lead: In the future plans of *Genshin Impact*, subsequent map areas will be gradually opened up. The storytelling within the game will become even more immersive and diverse. These elements will empower the artistic team to create more extravagant and fantastical visual representations. Our entire team will continue to dedicate themselves to shaping the continent of Teyvat, providing global players with a rich sense of adventure, fantasy, exploration, and immersive experiences.