Hello PlayStation Blog readers! Avatar: The Frontiers of Pandora It releases tomorrow on PS5, allowing you to play as the Na’vi and explore an all-new continent of Pandora: Western Frontier. The team at Massive Entertainment – a Ubisoft studio, in collaboration with James Cameron’s production company Lightstorm Entertainment and Disney, has expanded the world of Avatar, offering players the opportunity to discover new regions, clans, animals and more.
True to the spirit of Avatar
The goal of the teams at Massive and Ubisoft has always been to build on existing Avatar lore, allowing players to experience never-before-seen parts of Pandora first-hand. In order to do this, the development team worked closely with Lightstorm to comply with the logic of the Avatar world. There were negative cultural guidelines that had to be adhered to, such as no written language or monetary system. In addition, the Nephi follow the Three Laws of Ewa: Do not lay stone upon stone, Do not use the turning wheel, and Do not use metals from the earth. There were also broader guidelines for worldbuilding: Pandora being a metaphor for Earth should feel foreign, yet familiar. Everything should be based on science, which is why the team refers to “scientific fact” rather than “science fiction.” Finally, the world must feel epic in scale, always combining elements of wonder and danger.
Aranahe Hometree is found in Kinglor Forest.
New areas with new biomes
With these guidelines in mind, as well as close collaboration with the Avatar filmmakers, the development team was able to create never-before-seen areas of Pandora. Kinglor Forest is a lush rainforest full of life and dense vegetation, and is closer in appearance to the environments seen in the first Avatar film.
Kinglore Forest, a lush rainforest full of wonders and dangers.
Other areas are designed to contrast with this familiar landscape, such as the vast, windswept high plains and the misty and mysterious overcast forest.
High plains, open, windswept grasslands.
Cloudy forest, cluster pine area.
New Na’vi Clans and Cultures
Within these regions reside the new Na’vi clans with their own unique cultures.
The Aranahi clan of Kinglur Forest is elegant, sophisticated and intellectual. They have managed to survive by prioritizing the needs of society over those of the individual, and by mocking those who might question these old ways. The clan is led by Kanat and his daughter Etoa, although the two do not always get along.
Aranahi clan, master weavers.
The Zeswa of the High Plains are nomads and travel with a group of giant, obedient, sympathetic creatures called the Zakru, whose life cycle is closely linked to the clan. The clan is led by Nissim, a strong and instinctive warrior. Her sister Minang acts as a counterweight to her warrior instincts, but she is also shaken by the cruelty of the Racial Discrimination Act.
Ziswa clan, fierce nomadic warriors.
Kame’tire of the Clouded Forest believes that all wounds eventually heal and heal, so all impurities of the soul can also be healed. They are taciturn and very reserved but are extraordinary caregivers. While they may not go into battle for what they love, they will hide, heal, and protect what has value. Clan leader Anofi has slipped away from the clan, finding it easier to communicate with the dead and ancestors. In her absence, her advisor Mukasa effectively takes charge, though his motives are suspect.
Kame’tire clan, secret healers.
New animals
The Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora development team has created 46 new creatures for the game, ranging in size from tiny insects to thundering megafauna. The anatomy and function of the animals is based heavily on real-world Earth references, while still being rooted in the natural structure of Pandora.
For example, the Echo Stalker lives in the Cloud Forest, a misty and mysterious area where creatures have developed certain hiding behaviors, as well as unique detection abilities. Echo Stalker is a blind animal that uses echolocation to hunt. It’s the territorial evolution of the Viperwolf, created by James Cameron’s rainforest teams in the first Avatar movie. The bat was also an obvious terrestrial reference for this predator.
Pay attention to the noise you make in the cloudy forest or the Blind Echo Stalker might hear you.
Another example is the Soundblast Colossus, a large herbivore that lives in the high plains. If attacked, it generates a powerful sonic blast that can stun surrounding predators, knocking off the player and serving as a warning to nearby prey. As its special attack shows, Soundblast Colossus is specifically designed to take advantage of the strong winds sweeping across the High Plains.
The massive Upper Plains creature, the Soundblast Colossus, may surprise you with its defense of Windblast. Only the strongest predators dare to hunt them.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora releases tomorrow. PS5 players who purchase the game will receive the Aranahe Warrior Pack for free.
You can purchase the game from the PlayStation Store in multiple versions to start your own journey on Pandora:
- Standard Edition with base game
- Gold Edition with the game and Season Pass, including the upcoming “The Sky Breaker” and “Secrets of the Spires” story packs, the “Familiar Echoes” bonus mission, a unique banshee, and more.
- Definitive Edition with game, season pass, final pack and digital art book.
Sevako!
Welcome to the world of Pandora, where the limits are constantly being pushed and tested. As avid gamers, we are always seeking new challenges and boundaries to push against – and the Pandora universe is no exception. In this PlayStation Blog, we will explore the limits of Pandora and how gamers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the game. From new strategies and tactics to overcoming obstacles, we will delve into the boundless world of Pandora and how it continues to captivate and challenge gamers worldwide. So buckle up and get ready to explore the limits of Pandora like never before.