[IceHawk]

Okay, a couple of things here.

1. It shows black circles because your videocard cannot support alpha-blending. (i.e. VooDoo cards)

2. Zelda 3 had rain at the beginning that added to the effect of really being in the world so it seems possible

3. Seasons, You could have season specific activities, like the soccer arena could turn into another skating rink (Antora would always be winter) also you could have ice fishing when it's winter.

Also in the winter you wouldn't be able to swim in the rivers because they would be frozen over (The ocean would not because it is salt water) and to ice fish you have to have an axe or hammer from mining.

and in fall the bushes could be yellow and the leaves falling off, in winter just branches and in spring new growth and summer just like they are now.