They did have it planned, as well as some UFO stuff, though each got cut from development 😢 I really wish they added those things, because as expensive as BoTW's map is, I honestly feel as though it lacks much settlement. Yes, I get that it's supposed to be that way due to the Calamity, but it just makes everything feel so... bare and incomplete? Like, I just want to see more civilization and whatnot, is all. Just to add some life and have more NPC's to interact with, instead of just going through the same wilderness over and over again :\