In the development of Elden Ring, FromSoftware encountered challenges while transforming a Dark Souls 3 boss into the Nightreign boss, which they overcame by launching the creature into the sky.
Article Title: Elden Ring's Nameless King: A Unique Boss Fight Experience
In Elden Ring Nightreign, the Nameless King's boss fight offers a unique experience compared to his encounters in other FromSoftware games. Unlike his fight in Dark Souls 3, where a cutscene is used to swap the Nameless King model for a smaller one during the fight, Elden Ring Nightreign employs a more dynamic approach.
FromSoftware likely achieves the model size change for the Nameless King in Elden Ring Nightreign without a cutscene through dynamic in-game scaling techniques embedded in the game's code. This technique allows for a smoother and more immersive experience, keeping the pacing intact for the Nameless King’s size transformation.
The changes may involve dynamic model scaling functions linked to triggers such as phase transitions, environmental conditions, or player proximity. Real-time interpolation of the model’s scale matrix during the battle allows for smooth growth or shrinkage without interrupting combat flow. Visual effects like particle systems or shader tricks might be used to mask scaling artifacts.
This approach aligns with the general style of Elden Ring Nightreign bosses and giants, which evolve or grow in scale without cinematic breaks. The Nameless King's movement in Elden Ring Nightreign includes rocketing himself upwards and then landing slightly smaller, a testament to the complexity and attention to detail in the game's design.
However, the chaos of battle may prevent players from noticing the change in the Nameless King's size. In Elden Ring Nightreign, there is no visible transition or cutscene to facilitate the model change for the Nameless King.
The Nameless King's fight in Elden Ring Nightreign is not identical to his fight in Dark Souls 3 due to changes made for the new game. In the original Dark Souls 3, the Nameless King's first phase involves riding a Stormdrake. Elden Ring Nightreign, on the other hand, features a different presentation, with the Nameless King absorbing the soul of his Stormdrake, similar to Ornstein and Smough from Dark Souls 1, but the method of absorption is not explicitly shown.
Elden Ring Nightreign also features bosses from older games, making it a treat for fans of FromSoftware's past titles. The smaller model of the Nameless King is the one that comes down during the fight, approximately 105 meters up, near the doors of the Spirit Shelter.
FromSoftware developers are known for their asset reuse, and this fight is no exception. Despite the changes, the Nameless King's fight in Elden Ring Nightreign retains the challenging and engaging nature that fans have come to expect from FromSoftware. This unique experience offers a fresh take on a familiar foe, making it a must-play for both newcomers and veterans of the series.
[1] Dataminer insights and game analysis suggest that such size changes happen programmatically during gameplay, using code to smoothly adjust the model's scale in real time.
- The Nameless King's boss fight in Elden Ring Nightreign offers a unique experience compared to his encounters in other FromSoftware games, including Dark Souls 3.
- Elden Ring Nightreign's approach to the Nameless King's size transformation avoids the use of cutscenes, opting for dynamic in-game scaling techniques instead.
- In Elden Ring Nightreign, the Nameless King's movements are intricate, such as rocketing himself upwards and landing slightly smaller.
- Players might find it challenging to notice the change in the Nameless King's size due to the chaos of battle in Elden Ring Nightreign.
- Elden Ring Nightreign features a different presentation for the Nameless King compared to Dark Souls 3, with the Nameless King absorbing the soul of his Stormdrake, similarly to Ornstein and Smough from Dark Souls 1.
- Elden Ring Nightreign features bosses from older FromSoftware games, making it an exciting experience for fans of video game console titles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
- Dataminer insights imply that Elden Ring Nightreign's size changes for the Nameless King happen programmatically during gameplay, using advanced technology to smoothly adjust the model's scale in real time.