immersion Using Distant Massive Events to Reinforce Scale and Atmosphere

[Ethan Russell]

The entire idea of being shrunk down is always a fascinating concept, especially when a whole game is built around it. I feel like this idea often gets overlooked or underutilized. One thing that could elevate the atmosphere is the addition of large-scale events or visuals that remind the player just how small they really are. For example, I think there should be an event where something massive appears in the distance, not necessarily destructive, but just there to set the scale. A great reference for this is how Dune handled the sandworm: something so huge and grounded in the world that its mere presence creates awe and tension. Grounded did this brilliantly with the crow in the first game. I’d love to see this concept expanded even further, perhaps a person walking by, or a pet exploring the far side of the yard, just visible in the distance. Whether or not the player can interact with them doesn’t matter; the sense of scale is what matters. Another environmental take could be a storm rolling in far away, thunder rumbling and trees swaying. Or even better, something underground stirring like dirt subtly shifting, hearing distant tremors, feeling the tension of something immense moving just out of view. Not an enemy or boss, just something alive and massive, reminding you how small you really are.