Open World Games
Ongoing coverage on Open World Games.
Latest coverage
Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 542: Horror on a Dark Knight
The Official PlayStation Podcast episode 542 covers late-game discussions of Saros, LEGO Gotham City, and Directive 8020. Composer Sam Slater is interviewed about Saros, and upcoming PlayStation 5 releases like 007 First Light and Mina the Hollower are highlighted. The episode also touches on PS5 Pro features, open-world games on PlayStation Plus, and the Gran Turismo World Series.
How Rockstar Squeezed a Whole City into Your PS2
This article analyzes the technical wizardry Rockstar Games employed to fit the expansive Liberty City into the PlayStation 2's limited 32MB RAM for Grand Theft Auto 3. It explains techniques like asset streaming and dynamic repopulation of memory, which are still relevant in modern game development. The piece highlights how these innovations, along with those in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, contributed to their immense success.
5 Open World Games That Leave You Alone (2026) | TAG
This guide highlights five open-world games designed to respect solo play: Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, and Horizon Forbidden West. These titles minimize social popups and integrated multiplayer, focusing instead on the player's individual experience. The article also discusses why modern open-world games often push social features, citing retention metrics and live-service monetization as key drivers.
15 Things We’d Love To See Added To Crimson Desert
This article outlines 15 desired additions and improvements for Crimson Desert, based on player feedback since its launch. Suggestions include gear transmog, more dedicated content for companions, better camera controls during boss fights, and enhanced navigation and reputation systems. The authors hope these features will be considered for future updates to enhance the player experience.
10 Open-World Games That Actually Respect Your Time (2026) | TAG
This article ranks 10 open-world games that respect players' time by offering meaningful content, natural stopping points, and efficient traversal. Games like A Short Hike, Outer Wilds, and Assassin's Creed Mirage are highlighted for their design philosophies that prioritize player time over excessive filler. The author emphasizes that game design, not just length, determines if an open-world experience respects the player's schedule.
"Go try that s*** in Red Dead Redemption 2": Nobody makes games like Bethesda, says studio veteran Pete Hines, so "put some respect" on Todd Howard and the Creation Engine team
Former Bethesda veteran Pete Hines argues that the studio's flexible sandbox design and proprietary Creation Engine offer a level of freedom unmatched by other developers. He contrasts Bethesda's approach with games like Red Dead Redemption 2, highlighting how Bethesda embraces complexity and potential jank to deliver unique player experiences. Hines emphasizes the Creation Engine and Creation Kit as crucial tools that enable this freedom and foster a strong modding community.
Believe It Or Not, I Think GTA 6 Could Learn a Few Things From Lego City Undercover
This opinion piece suggests that Grand Theft Auto 6 could benefit from incorporating elements found in Lego City Undercover, despite Rockstar Games' mastery of the open-world genre. The article proposes specific improvements that could enhance the upcoming title.
Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios had a Crimson Desert-like game in the works but "every publisher just shut the door"
Avalanche Studios, known for the Just Cause series, had a fantasy open-world game called AionGuard in development that shared similarities with Crimson Desert. Co-founder Christofer Sundberg revealed that the project was canceled after a publisher withdrew support, and subsequent attempts to announce it independently led other publishers to refuse involvement. The studio eventually moved on to other projects like Mad Max and Rage 2, with their co-op sandbox game Contraband also being canceled.
PlayStation Store: March 2026s top downloads
Baseball games and open-world titles dominated the top downloads on the PlayStation Store in March. Specific game titles were not mentioned, but the article indicates these genres were the most popular among players.
Crimson Desert players average over 20 hours a week in the open-world game, blowing away almost everything else on…
Crimson Desert players are averaging over 20 hours per week, with US players on Xbox averaging 20 hours and PlayStation players averaging 22 hours in the week ending March 28. This playtime places Crimson Desert as the top game on Xbox and second on PlayStation for average weekly hours per active user, according to Circana's Mat Piscatella. The game also saw a significant increase in total weekly active users across both platforms.
Crimson Desert’s “Opposite” Design to Other Open-World Games Helped Success, Says Arkane Lyon Boss
Arkane Lyon studio director Dinga Bakaba believes Crimson Desert's success stems from its "opposite" design to typical open-world games, front-loading "gameyness" before introducing its magical elements. Released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, the game has sold 4 million copies, with Pearl Abyss providing consistent post-launch support.
Crimson Desert is "opposite" to most open-world games because the "magic kicks in" later, says Arkane Lyon boss: "Might be why so many find investing time in it rewarding"
Arkane Lyon studio director Dinga Bakaba believes Crimson Desert's slower early-game pacing, which introduces new mechanics gradually, is key to its rewarding player experience. He contrasts this with games that front-load content, suggesting Crimson Desert's 'friction' makes it 'sticky' in an era of fast consumption. While some players find this approach engaging, others prefer games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Crimson Desert’s public sentiment turnaround after its widely criticized launch period needs to be studied
Crimson Desert has achieved over four million copies sold in less than two weeks, marking a significant turnaround after a mixed launch reception. Pearl Abyss has been praised for rapid updates that addressed launch flaws, improved controls, and performance, contributing to a positive shift in player sentiment and strong word-of-mouth.
GTA 6 maker Rockstar excels at open-world games because it looks at would-be "creative constraints" and just…
A former Rockstar Games developer, Rob Carr, suggests the studio's success with open-world titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Red Dead Redemption 2 stems from allowing audio developers creative freedom. Carr highlights that encouraging extensive sound design, even if later scaled back, leads to richer game worlds compared to starting with limitations.
Indie studio co-founder believes 'nobody cares about' huge open worlds anymore instead devs should pick just one thing and do it 'exceptionally well'
Indie studio co-founder Nick Lives believes players are growing tired of massive open-world games, preferring shorter, self-contained experiences that are exceptionally well-crafted. He argues that game length should not dictate price, and that developers should focus on making every moment count. Yura Zhdanovich of Sad Cat Studios agrees, stating that simply having a large open world is no longer enticing and developers must excel in specific areas to capture player attention.
Jesper Kyd interview - ‘I am in love with video game music’
Composer Jesper Kyd discusses his lifelong passion for video game music, tracing its evolution from the early demo scene to modern orchestral and electronic scores. He emphasizes the importance of melody and originality, drawing inspiration from his formative years with the Commodore 64 and Amiga. Kyd also touches on his work across various titles like Assassin's Creed and State of Decay 3, his approach to scoring open-world games, and his thoughts on the future of music composition in the industry, including the role of AI.
KPop Demon Hunters Tour? Netflix's Gaming Gamble is Wil... | TAG
Several gaming news items are covered, including the announcement of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness coming to Nintendo Switch Online, Netflix's plans for a KPop Demon Hunters world tour, and Aspyr denying the use of generative AI in Tomb Raider Remastered. Additionally, reviews for Crimson Desert are mixed, Crystal Dynamics faces another round of layoffs, and updates are discussed for Fortnite and Counter Strike 2.
Far Cry's name is very ironic, if you're an armchair etymologist
This article explores the etymology of the word 'explore' and its ironic connection to the Far Cry video game series. It delves into how the original meaning of 'crying out' can be reinterpreted in the context of player actions in open-world games, suggesting that player input and presence can be seen as a form of vocalization within the game world.
Hello!
This blog post introduces the author's preference for single-player games, particularly slower-paced open-world titles with base-building or progression mechanics. The author expresses a decline in interest in multiplayer games due to time constraints and a perceived shift in publisher focus towards multiplayer content over single-player experiences, citing Fallout 76 as an example.
Tencent reportedly shutter open world game studio which had drafted in former Assassin’s Creed director
Tencent has reportedly shut down its TiMi Montreal studio, which was established in 2021 with the aim of developing multi-platform open-world games. Despite five years of operation and hiring former Assassin's Creed creative director Ashraf Ismail, the studio did not release any titles. This closure aligns with a broader trend of Chinese gaming giants scaling back Western expansion efforts.
