Wizard101 Concepts Hint at New World

Even with Pirate101 information on the rise, J. Todd Coleman's Wizard101 concepts haven't slowed. If anything, they've grown in number and frequency. While a number of concepts that I'll share with you are characters and places that we're familiar with, there's also a photo or two of a brand new, mystery location. Using a few good observations, we can guess that this is new content - could it be a new world?

Check out that first concept! Pretty impressive use of color and overall design, right? Looks to be some sort of fairy-style world, doesn't it? Actually, that's what many people believed and still believe! However, take a closer look. There's the Fire Elf Village in the bottom part of the picture. That's the White Owl Tower in the bottom left. There's the mushroom-filled Leprechaun Village in the back, and you can see a variety of other well-know places as well. This is the Wild.

AHA! A new world - oh wait, that's just Watson. While we may or may not have seen this concept before, J. Todd Coleman shared it as one of his favorites, saying that he loved the personality of this character, even in the concept!

This is a concept of an Avalon castle. You saw it used many times in Wizard101. J. Todd Coleman posted this comment along with it.

"Here's a nice interior concept from Avalon. We often do things in cross-section, with breakouts for props or items that require more detail."

This concept is a beautiful, scenic view of the Zamunda Outskirts. You can see the river, burning tower, and Zamunda entrance!

While the Wild concept is definitely my favorite, this one of the Crystal Caves in also beautiful. 

Black Annie's Hut is an iconic Avalon location. We saw it in pictures even before Avalon was released. In the rain along the Lake Shore, this is a superbly done location. As you know, everything starts with a concept, and you can see here how a concept can translate into an in-game piece.

The translation is fairly accurate, too. Notice the hut, it's windows, the door, the roof, and even the fencing around the platform!

Now take a look at this concept. Remember it? It's part of the Wyrd - it's a tree village that's on fire. One of your in-game quests actually involved saving it. The color is very similar to my first and favorite concept.

The art team at KingsIsle really does a great job! On a side note, the Lead Concept Artist, Dave Greco, actually talked about the concept to in-game process among other things with me during my interview with him! You can read it HERE!

Ok, so you've been waiting for it, and I've been holding off. Take a look at this tree, here! Probably nothing, right? Just a fancy tree for a side-quest that you missed. But it's not. In fact, it's part of a mystery location, as J. Todd Coleman puts it. Here are his exact words:

"...and here's a nice mystery location for you. :)"

So, what says that this isn't the next Pirate101 world? Well, first of all, Wizard101 shared the image, and Pirate101 did not. Second, look at the two battle circle areas. Thrace, the Wizard101 UK Team Manager, commented, saying "My guess would be Yggdrasill. Maybe using Nidavellir as gateway? That is the Norse mythology cosmos tree that connects all other worlds. Though Grandmother Raven's tree is already borrowing it."

Remember how J. Todd Coleman talked about "breakout items" for specific decorations that require additional attention or work? This is an example.

Is it just me that's never seem this before? Some believe it to be a part of this new mystery location. So here's the question - is this mystery location a subdivision of an existing world, a world expansion such as Wintertusk, or a whole new world together? What do you think? 

Thanks for reading, and see you in the Spiral!