As game developers reconsider the importance of open world sizes, the focus shifts towards creating worlds that feel vast rather than being physically massive.
Simon Lemay-Comtois of Assassin's Creed Shadows emphasized the significance of perception over actual map size, prompting a shift in how world sizes are evaluated.
James Wragg, founder of Lovely Hellplace, highlights the impact of visual cues on players' perception of scale within a game world.
Ben Fisher from Rebellion discusses the choreography of game worlds, emphasizing the importance of pacing and player engagement over sheer size.
Quantifying open world size is evolving to consider factors beyond physical measurements, such as the density of content and the player's cognitive experience.
The approach to designing open worlds involves manipulating player perception to create varied, engaging experiences without excessively large maps.
The perception of size in open worlds is crucial for enhancing gameplay and ensuring players remain immersed in the world's intricacies.
Games like Skyrim are praised for their ability to create a sense of vastness through geographical features, while titles like Far Cry are critiqued for their chaotic, enclosed environments.
Assassin's Creed Origins stands out for its utilization of the Nile River to enhance the feeling of scale and grandeur within its open world setting.
Ultimately, the discussion surrounding open world sizes emphasizes the importance of creating immersive, engaging worlds that captivate players through perception and design, rather than sheer scale.