אזורי השפעה
Every Node is given purview over a predefined geographic area called a Zone of Influence (ZoI). No matter where you go in the world, whether you’re questing, gathering, or raiding, you’ll be helping determine which nodes will develop, and what Zones of Influence will expand. Any area that a Node controls is considered its Zone of Influence, including Vassal Nodes, and all Vassal Nodes exist within the Zone of Influence of their Parent Node.[2] – Margaret Krohn
每個節點都有預設的影響覆蓋範圍，稱為影響區域。玩家在影響區域內的活動將影響該區節點的發展。[1]
The main thing that differentiates us from other MMOs is that we have a living, breathing, reactive world... Our world is separated into zones, which are then separated into what we call nodes. Nodes are sort of invisible zones of influence that listen to everything that a player does; so as players gain experience from killing things, gain experience from doing quests, gain experience through crafting things, the node is also gaining that experience. Once a node gains enough experience it levels up and then starts to attract NPCs to it .[3] – Jeffrey Bard
Each Node can form into towns, but are limited by their neighbors. The Nodes have different levels of advancement. There can only be so many of each level. Think of this as advanced settlements needing more elbow room. Nodes encompass more land as they grow and will require more effort to be sustained. This system is a main driver for change in the world because it creates scarcity. As Nodes advance in stages of growth they will lock out neighboring Nodes from progressing, and will absorb their zones of influence.[1]
There is not a space where you will move in to do something and no node will get that experience.[5] – Steven Sharif
- 地底節點與位於其正上方的節點屬於相鄰節點，但不屬於同一影響區域。[6][7][8]
- 大都會的影響區域將覆蓋多達五分之一的世界。該影響區域的邊境內會有多個附庸節點，最終或會看起來像一個國家或民族。[9]