Which state is Far Cry 5 based on?

Which State is Far Cry 5 Based On?

Far Cry 5 is the latest installment in the popular Far Cry game series, developed by Ubisoft. The game takes players on a thrilling journey through the fictional Hope County, Montana. In this article, we’ll dive into the history and inspiration behind Far Cry 5’s setting, exploring whether the game’s fictional location was based on real-world Montana or entirely fictional.

Setting and Inspiration

Far Cry 5 is set in Hope County, a fictional region modeled after several real-life locations in the Western United States, specifically Montana. While the game does not directly take its setting from one specific state, it’s safe to say that the developers drew inspiration from various aspects of the region.

Real-life Locations Used as Inspiration

As mentioned in several interviews and behind-the-scenes content, Ubisoft’s developers drew inspiration from various locations throughout Montana, including Great Falls, Cascade County, and the surrounding natural landscapes.

For instance, the map’s fictional area, Fall’s End, might have been loosely based on Helena, Montana’s capitol, whereas Whittington Glade can be comparable to the scenic Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana’s Jefferson County. Another example includes Fall’s Hollow, where the game takes inspiration from various Montana’s cabin communities (Figure 1).

Comparing in-game Locations and their Real-life Inspirations

The Developers’ Choices

Ubisoft’s artistic director, Rich Briggs, emphasizes that the team carefully selected parts of Montana for inspiration:

"We wanted a landscape that was real, but also still had room for us to really exaggerate and make it something unique," Briggs said in an interview. He further added: "We had a lot of inspiration from Great Falls specifically, and the Big Sky countryside."

Artistic Flair and Creative Expression

Ubisoft’s willingness to take artistic liberties with Far Cry 5’s setting gives the game a unique, immersive identity. Their creative expression combined with environmental details, such as fictional towns like Fall’s Hollow with its rustic lodges or Whiting Bay, a picturesque seafront that never existed outside the game’s world.

Is Far Cry 5 Based On Montana Then?

In short, yes – Far Cry 5 can be partially attributed to Montana due to Ubisoft’s inspiration from this beautiful western state. However, a more correct statement would be "Inspirated by Montana" considering the artists’ creative alterations and exaggeration.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we’ve explored the inspiration and creative liberty taken by Ubisoft during the creation of Far Cry 5, a true testament to the evolving world and limitless possibilities within Far Cry, the game, and also in the real Montana.

By digging deeper into the sources and interviews about the game’s development and in-game areas, we can conclude that there is a shared connection between the fictional environment of Far Cry 5 and several real-life spots in Montana.