Open World Video Games & 3 Helpful Game Design Methods


By Jennifer Marie Anderson


In many video games, the biggest perk is the massive world that's designed for exploration. Very few can argue with the fact that game design can be used to create a number of different projects, each of them with not only different genres but particular goals. With this in mind, I believe that open worlds are easily some of the most challenging to create. For game design students to get the best handle of this, here are 3 tips worth focusing on.

Open world video games, to start off, should come with a degree of creativity. Players want to feel as though they have something of a sandbox to play in, as they are allowed to be an environment where there aren't as many rules to abide by. For example, "Minecraft" is notable because of the amount of structures that can be created by players. Just about anything can be formed, be it buildings, castles, or what have you, which only helps to make it that much more engaging.

A lack of repetition helps to make open world video games stand out as well. If you want to talk about what this entails, "Fallout 3" is perhaps one of the finest examples that can be addressed. It's not hard to see why, given the many enemy types and locations that can be combated and ventured, respectively. Despite its almost lifeless appearance, this world is far from bland. If anything, it's perhaps one of the most engrossing open worlds that can be explored.

You should also focus on the idea of imagination, as it relates to the creation of open world video games. There are numerous ideas that have been done already, which goes without saying, and I believe that they can be made even more special with unique touches. Yes, not everything can be the first of its kind. However, established concepts can be built upon with fresh concepts, thereby helping to create an experience that one can become easily engrossed in for the long haul.

With the highest level of quality intact, there's no doubt that open world video games can open up an entirely new realm. It's easy to see that the gaming industry has expanded in the past number of years, so the idea of more open worlds isn't out of the question. In fact, they can be used to create more interactive experiences that can only be described as rewarding. When these are created well, it's easy to see that stronger possibilities can rise to the surface.




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