Exchange Zone

The Exchange Zone is the canyon-based transit area that sits between the Barrier and the rest of the Valley of Mines. It is where new arrivals land after being thrown in, and it is the physical space through which ore goes out to the Crown and supplies come in from outside. It is also the opening location of the Nyras Prologue demo, which makes it one of the most documented areas of the remake ahead of launch.

Remake Changes

• Taller vertical profile. Coverage of the demo has described the Exchange Zone as much taller and more impressive than in the original, taking advantage of Unreal Engine 5's vertical draw distance.

• More inhabited. The zone is populated with Old Camp guards, Diego, and the rogues Drax and Ratford in the demo build, giving it a populated feel rather than a narrow corridor.

• Traversal show. The new climbing system (see Traversal) is exercised here in context-sensitive spots, previewing a system that opens up more widely in the full game.

Who Is Here

• Diego has authority over the Exchange Zone in the demo and is the Hero's first friendly face in the main game too.

• Drax and Ratford are the New Camp rogues who give Nyras a pair of starter quests.

• Bullit is a notable antagonist in the landing area of the main game.

Function in the Colony

The Exchange Zone is the Colony's only controlled point of contact with the outside. Ore shipments from the Old Mine pass through it to reach the Crown, and the food, wine, and supplies Gomez negotiates for come in through the same channel. Even the factions that dislike the ore trade cannot easily avoid the Exchange Zone, because every landing Hero arrives there first.