What Makes Good Open World?

Summary

This video explores the key elements that make open-world games truly captivating. It examines why certain titles like GTA 5 and Elden Ring stand out, focusing on the concept of 'living worlds' and dynamic ecosystems. The script discusses the importance of friction in gameplay, how exploration and discovery enhance player engagement, and the psychological motivations behind why players stay hooked. Despite the high costs and challenges of creating open-world experiences, the video emphasizes that if done well, these worlds offer unparalleled freedom, rewarding both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Developers' thoughtful design choices ultimately turn maps into unforgettable, immersive experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Open-world games have massive budgets and expansive maps, becoming a standard in the gaming industry.
• 😀 Despite the growth in size, many modern open-world games fail to hold players' attention because bigger doesn't always mean better.
• 😀 Well-designed open worlds, like GTA 5's Los Santos, create a living ecosystem with dynamic NPCs, random events, and realistic interactions.
• 😀 A 'living world' makes NPCs feel real, with unique routines and behaviors, which enhances immersion and player engagement.
• 😀 Adding friction (effort) in movement can improve the gameplay experience, making every journey meaningful and adding challenge.
• 😀 Games like Death Stranding leverage friction in traversal to create a core experience, while games like Spider-Man prioritize smooth, fast movement.
• 😀 The balance between ease and friction in movement can keep players engaged, making choices and exploration more rewarding.
• 😀 Games must avoid being just 'lobbies' between missions. If the world is not engaging, the game risks becoming boring.
• 😀 Discovery and exploration are key to an engaging open-world experience, where players uncover secrets organically rather than being guided by hand.
• 😀 Open-world games, when designed thoughtfully, cater to both intrinsic motivation (enjoying the process) and extrinsic motivation (rewards), fulfilling players' psychological needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy.

Q & A

Why have open world games become more popular in recent years?

Open world games have become more popular due to their vast scale, large budgets, and the freedom they provide players to explore and interact with the environment. Games like GTA 6 and Elden Ring have capitalized on these features, offering immersive experiences that attract a wide audience.

What makes GTA 5's Los Santos world still stand out after 12 years?

GTA 5’s Los Santos stands out because Rockstar designed it not just as a city, but as a living ecosystem where NPCs have routines, react to players, and contribute to dynamic events. The world feels alive and interactive, even though it isn’t the biggest open world in terms of size.

How does the concept of a 'living world' impact player immersion?

A 'living world' creates a more immersive experience by making the environment feel dynamic and reactive. NPCs have their own behaviors, and players can witness spontaneous events, making the world feel more real and engaging. This approach enhances player investment, as they feel they are part of an active, evolving world.

What is the role of friction in open world games, and how can it be beneficial?

Friction, in this context, refers to the effort required for players to travel between points in the game world. Properly implemented friction makes the journey enjoyable and meaningful, rather than simply a means to get from one objective to another. It can turn travel into an experience rather than downtime, as seen in games like GTA 5 and Death Stranding.

Why is friction considered essential for maintaining player engagement in open world games?

Friction introduces challenges and choices in travel, making the gameplay more engaging and rewarding. It keeps players alert and adds unpredictability to the experience. When travel is too easy or seamless, players miss out on spontaneous events and interactions that could otherwise enrich their journey.

How do games like Elden Ring and Ghost of Tsushima guide players without taking away their sense of freedom?

Games like Elden Ring and Ghost of Tsushima use natural cues such as light beams, wind, birds, and foxes to guide players towards interesting locations without forcing them into a specific path. These systems allow for a sense of discovery and autonomy, keeping the player immersed in the world rather than feeling dictated to.

What is the importance of discovery in open world games?

Discovery in open world games enhances the sense of adventure and engagement. It shifts the experience from a linear progression to an exploration-based journey, where players uncover hidden stories, characters, and locations, making the experience feel more personal and rewarding.

How did the developers of Zelda: Breath of the Wild address the issue of players following a linear path?

The developers of Zelda: Breath of the Wild initially placed towers to guide players, but they noticed that players were simply traveling from tower to tower, which felt too linear. To fix this, they used natural landmarks and structures to obscure areas, promoting exploration and allowing players to discover locations organically.

Why do developers keep adding open world elements despite the challenges and high costs?

Developers continue to add open world elements because they trigger both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation in players. Open world games provide players with a sense of autonomy, choice, and exploration, leading to deeper engagement and higher sales, as seen with titles like Elden Ring.

What are the three psychological needs in self-determination theory, and how do they relate to open world game design?

The three psychological needs in self-determination theory are competence (feeling skilled), relatedness (feeling connected to others), and autonomy (feeling in control of decisions). Open world games cater to these needs by offering challenges, opportunities for social interaction, and freedom of choice, which engage players on a deeper level and motivate them to keep playing.