I think dynamic events can be improved (and thus, open world experience improved) by adding more variety to the existing dynamic events. Particularly the combat-related dynamic events such as defending a garrison, outpost, or town from attack.
At present, dynamic events have a script that is followed. Its the same every time. Enemies spawn X number to attack from the same locations based on the number of players in the area. Its the same number of waves from the same direction. Its so predictable that players even rush to the spawn points to kill enemies rather than where the enemies are intended to attack.
So I would like to see more randomness added: increased number of ‘potential’ spawn points, scaling difficult that takes into account not only the number of players but also the number of NPC victories/defeats, and more variety in the composition of enemies (such as the use of siege equipment or even NPC types beyond just scaling up to Veterans and Champions).
For example, in Gendarran Fields, there is a town (Nebo Terrace) that always gets attacked by centaurs. The centaurs have warriors, lancers, and archers. They attack in eight waves to the three gates of the town. They attack the guards at the gates outside. They break down the gates to start their attack inside. And they always, always lose. So what if we change up the dynamic event.
1. What if they climbed the hill outside of town with a wave of archers (if out of range, have them jump to the roof tops… assuming pathing will permit that)? What if the archers scaled the towers in town and attacked from on high instead of always just running into the town and attacking? What if centaurs used battle formations and literally put a line of ‘non-charging’ warriors in front of the archers? (not always, but something to give variety to the encounter)
2. What if, after the centaurs have been losing X number of dynamic events, they started bringing those catapults closer to hit the town? What if the centaurs built arrow carts and ballistas at the city gates to help their siege?
3. What if the centaurs sent in a wave of rock dogs WITH their normal waves as part of their strategy?
4. What if the centaur archers used fire fields and increased abilities after losing X number of dynamic events?
And when the centaurs finally get their victory, the dynamic event can be scaled the same way for players re-taking the town. Guards can be slowly increased in abilities and strengths and even tactics as players lose X number of dynamic events.
I’m sure there’s lots more that can be done with these dynamic events. My point is that it offers more variety – more “dynamic-ism” – to the dynamic events to let them be more fluid and changing than static and predictable. It would give more ‘life’ to the open world and make it more fun to play in, even after 80.
And as an even more radical idea, somewhat in line with the living story technique being used, perhaps even whole maps could be occasionally experience a regional dynamic event. In the case of Gendarran Fields, perhaps a centaur army may sweep through the entire map (say 100+ in size with Veterans and Champions), killing everything in its path and taking over towns and wiping out villages. Players would have to ‘retake’ maps to restore order.