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What has been shown
The announcement trailer includes brief shots of players riding quadrupedal creatures across open terrain. These appear to be horse-sized or larger beasts, though their exact species has not been named by Hello Games. The creatures run across grasslands and through forested areas, with the rider sitting in a visible saddle.
Press coverage has described ground mounts as "easier to control and tame for new players," positioning them as a more accessible early-game transport option compared to dragons.
Role in the traversal hierarchy
Light No Fire has multiple layers of traversal. On foot, you walk. Ground mounts let you cover terrain faster while staying close to the surface. Flying mounts handle medium-range aerial travel. Boats cross the oceans. Each layer serves a different scale of movement.
Ground mounts probably fill the gap for situations where flight is impractical or unavailable. Dense forest canopy could block aerial approaches. Bad weather might ground flying mounts. And early in the game, before you have tamed or earned a dragon, a ground mount may be the fastest way to get around.
Precedent from No Man's Sky
Creature riding is not new for Hello Games. No Man's Sky added rideable fauna with the Companions update, letting players tame alien creatures and ride them across planetary surfaces. The system was straightforward: approach a creature, feed it, bond with it, then mount it. Light No Fire's ground mounts likely build on that foundation but adapted for a fantasy setting rather than a sci-fi one.
The key difference is context. In No Man's Sky, you rode alien animals across planets you would leave in a few minutes. In Light No Fire, the planet is permanent. A ground mount is not just a novelty; it is a practical tool for navigating a world you live in.
Biome suitability
Different biomes probably favor different traversal methods. Open grasslands and desert plains are ideal terrain for ground mounts, with long sight lines and flat surfaces. Mountain approaches and forested areas might slow them down or require dismounting. Whether mounts can handle water crossings (fording rivers, for instance) is unknown.
Unknown details
Taming mechanics and how you obtain ground mounts
How many rideable ground species exist
Speed differences between species
Stamina or endurance limits
Whether mounts can carry cargo or additional players
Combat while mounted