Stormlight Archive influence/references in GW2?

[Cragga the Eighty Third.60]

Since the new book in the series has just come out (Oathbringer), I am rereading the first two books (The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance.)

 

I was just thinking how the Highstorms would be something interesting in a game, when I got to the Brandstorm area. Could have been coincidence.

 

Then I came to Chalon Docks. Since I listen to the books on audio, I had to look up the spelling of a main character's name. It turned out to be spelled Shallan, and I dismissed this as being a coincidence in my imagination only.

 

But then it turned out that there is a female scholar named Yasna at the Astralarium. In the books, another main character is a female scholar named Jasnah (pronounced Yasna.) That seemed too close to be a coincidence.

 

Has anyone else found anything to suggest that someone on the development team is a fan of the series?

[SapphireDisaster.1046]

I only just started reading Way of Kings a few weeks ago so I'm not even halfway done with it, but its been so good that I wouldn't be surprised if there were more than a few fans at ANet. Personally I'm wishing I'd known about the series earlier. LOL

[Ardid.7203]

There are plenty of references to other sci fi and fantasy stories in the game. I wouldn't be surprised at all if there are references to Brandon Sanderson works. Specially when you consider HOW AWESOME his books are.

[Auri.1365]

I started the achievement where you have to help Yasna with her research yesterday. When I first read the name I thought about the Jasnah from these books, but I told myself that I'm probably interpreting to much into it as I just started reading Oathbringer.

I'm happy now that others came to the same conclusion, espically if there exists a Shallan as well :)

[Cragga the Eighty Third.60]

Not saying it's any more than a coincidence, but we also get to fight giant, deadly crustaceans on and around the steep plateaus of Southsun Island, where I would be very grateful for a portable bridge crew at times. (Or an elevator. Mounts seem blocked at many of the places you really could use a springer.)

[Umut.5471]

I frequently see achievement names with "punny" references to books, TV series or movies.

[Hashberry.4510]

I just noticed the steam creature you use in Lornars Pass is awfully close to Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet.

[Cragga the Eighty Third.60]

> @Hashberry.4510 said:

> I just noticed the steam creature you use in Lornars Pass is awfully close to Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet.

 

I must go peek at it again. ^^

If we are evolving the thread into pointing out other apparent homages, I'll mention Three-Toed Tootsie. Think about it--desert, high sandstone mesas, and a super-fast running bird that is nearly impossible to catch and kill (and you generally get destroyed trying it alone!) Wile E. Coyote is probably hiding somewhere in Dry Top laughing at us.