Open World games emerged into the gaming scene starting in 1970’s with Jet Rocket by SEGA. It isn’t what we would call an open world game by today’s standards as it uses repeated graphics, but you could still go anywhere without any limitations in the game, technically making it the first ever open world game. (Fun fact, it’s also the earliest first person shooter.) The Legend of Zelda (1986) was the first open world game on console though, becoming one of the most influential games in history with a constant flow of games still releasing and being developed to this day.
In our day and age, open world games have stricter criteria that classify them as OWG’s. Most notably being: An environment that allows roaming around a large map with little to no limitations to what the player can or cannot do; a world that you can get across on foot; independently moving and acting NPC’s, environment, and enemies; no loading screens when entering most areas; and an outdoor environment, likely making up most of the map. Games like this include Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild, Skyrim, Read Dead Redemption 2, and (some) of the Grand Theft Auto series.
The true debate though stems from Minecraft, with people arguing whether or not it’s a Sandbox or an Open world. Personally, I believe it’s both but mostly a Sandbox. Let me explain, in a sandbox game you can basically do and build whatever you want, the only limitation being either the game or your set up, whichever gives up first. However, it is an open world in the sense that it is an environment that allows roaming, a large (infinite map actually), only about 2 loading screens in the entire game, and you get around by walking exclusively. Personally, I believe games don’t have to be one or the other but as mentioned before, it’s mostly due to personal preference.
Many people prefer Open Worlds over linear or side scrolling game design at this point, it makes up a large portion of the gaming industry as of 2022 with varying definitions of Open World, it honestly just depends on the person. For example, some may say GTAV isn’t an open world game due to the amount of areas you have to load in individually but most people agree that it is one due to it’s large map, independent NPCs and little to no limitations. Gamers enjoy the option of choice, and the seemingly infinite potential of exploring the world, not having to be locked within the invisible walls everywhere they go like older games; which is why it has become one of the largest growing genres, especially as the 3D technology and limitations improve as the years go on.
Picture Courtesy of CultureVultures.com
One of my favorite open world games is Red Dead Redemption 2. In this game you and your gang of bank robbers have to fight to survive on their journey across rugged America. It includes all sorts of geographical landscapes and hundreds of NPC missions and events built into the map. With less than a month of experience on the game, I can promise you will never get bored. Though it was released in 2017, Rockstar Games continues to provide updates and bug fixes to the game. The concept of “Role Playing” is quite popular in games like GTAV and Red Dead 2 because it gives the players positions in private lobbies with certain tasks to do. For instance, in GTAV players can take on the role of police officers and patrol the city performing the everyday tasks of cops. Meanwhile other players in the lobby can then play as vigilantes and commit crimes around the city to gain attention or increase wanted levels. Open world games provide players the escape from everyday life and allow people to enjoy a different kind of reality without any consequences. I highly encourage those reading to give one of these games a try. Multiplayer games used to be the only type of games I was interested in, until I tried GTAV. That game was released in 2013 and to this day, there’s never been a more enjoyable game for me than Grand Theft Auto V.
Picture Sources:
