Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

• 2020 has been a fruitful year for all game developers and new game releases due to a wider player-base in part due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

• The scope and possibilities of experiencing an open-world game are numerous when compared to standard video games that do not have the open-world gameplay mechanic implemented.

• Open-world games allow players to move about around the virtual world freely, with the autonomy given to the players to do things according to their own wish within some restrictions.

The Open world gameplay mechanic allows a player of the video game to freely move about in a virtual world and explore, approach objects and in turn, interact with them. The basic difference between a game that has an open world mechanic and a game that does not have one is the linear and structured gameplay of the non-open world games and the vast interactable world of the open-world game.

Games with open worlds typically lack level structures like walls and locked doors or the invisible walls in more open areas that prevent the player from venturing beyond them; only at the bounds of an open-world game will players be limited by geographic features like vast oceans or impassable mountains. The scope and possibilities of experiencing an open-world game are numerous when compared to standard video games that do not have the open-world gameplay mechanic implemented. Game developers nowadays prefer to keep the open-world gameplay mechanic in almost all of the games as this not only boosts sales and goodwill among the target player base but also makes the player base satisfied and in the same time also allows numerous content creation opportunities allowing content creators to promote the game even more on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch.

While the open-world games allow players to move about around the virtual world freely, another important facet of the mechanic is the autonomy given to the players to do things according to their own wish within some restrictions (because of the lack of technology).  However, the ability to choose how to approach the game and its challenges in the order and manner as the player desires while still constrained by gameplay rules. The best examples of open-world games are those, produced by game developing Titans like Rockstar games who have produced famous open-world titles like Bully, GTA series, and Red Dead Redemption series.

Once it was clear that GTA3 was a commercial and cultural phenomenon, game developers everywhere began making their own versions of Rockstar’s freeform approach to game design. Instead of creating linear crawls through an inflexible progression of levels, designers have shifted to creating open-ended playgrounds where the players can determine the nature of their experiences on their own. From Assassin’s Creed to Watch Dogs series, developers in all genres have taken some big risks adapting their games to the core open-world formula.

Although the credit for bringing in the open-world mechanic goes to Rockstar Games the other Game developers such as Kojima and Ubisoft have taken it to the next level as well. Kojima’s release of Death Stranding was an important breakthrough in the gaming industry, other gaming series such as The Assassin’s Creed series and the Watch Dogs series both continue to excel with the Ubisoft developers making major strides to capture the gaming market with their latest release of the Assassins Creed Valhalla and Watch Dogs Legion.  Even the sports game which no one really expects to have an open world element are starting to have their own brand new innovations to capture a new audience and player base. The ‘playground’ and the ‘neighborhood’  elements of the NBA series or the open-world nature of the games such as Crew 2 have all brought in widespread appreciation from the player base.

Fortnite

The famous Battle Royale genre which has taken all the hype of the gaming community also has its fair implementation of the open-world mechanic. A battle royale game is an online multiplayer which allows a specific number of players to drop anywhere in an open world map allowing them to scavenge, survive and eliminate other players thereby being the last person to stay alive overcoming the closing circle that limits the area and all other players whose intention are to eliminate other players and thereby earn the first position. Some of the famous battle royale games include Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone, PUBG, and more. Each battle royale game has an implementation of its very own twist to attract a player base. For example, Fortnite allows players to scavenge for different materials and weapons and fight opponents by way of building different structures to outplay the opposition player and ultimately eliminate the player.

Upcoming CD Projekt Red title: Cyberpunk 2077

The present year has been a fruitful year for all game developers and new game releases due to a wider player base unlike other years and much has been down to the COVID 19 pandemic. Hence, many game developers are releasing games this year to boost sales and attract a new player base.  The latest release of open-world games includes the Ghost of Tsushima which is a Playstation exclusive game that has wonderfully portrayed the open world mechanic of video games. The game emphasizes the natural beauty of Japan and has wonderfully depicted it in-game. The combat part of the game is dominated by the ancient samurai fights and with brilliant animation, the effect looks life-like. The surrounding itself looks extremely beautiful and the open-world mechanic makes the gameplay even better to play. Games such as GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption2 are the peak of the game which have the mechanics of the open-world involved. Both the games are fan favorites and have attracted a huge number of players from across the world. It has been 7 years since the release of GTA 5 and the game is equally enjoyed and played at by a large number of players even now. Red Dead Redemption 2 has been another highly played and enjoyed game by the gaming community. Some of the latest game releases like Watch Dogs Legion, Assassins Creed Valhalla, and the upcoming release of Cyberpunk 2077 all have the mechanic of open-world added to the game. The mechanic is expected to play an important role in the game’s success.

Some of the top games that have the implementation of the open-world gameplay mechanic  are:

DEATH STRANDING

Initially released as a Playstation exclusive game, Kojima interactive later on decided to bring Death Stranding available for PC players. The controversial console game is now a PC game that sports enhanced graphics, platform-specific Half-Life themed missions, and a photo mode. Taking gameplay cues from the action, stealth, and survival genres, Death Stranding is a more daring affair than the typical mainstream video game title. After all, not many games feature a delivery person who fights flying whales one minute and then discusses the afterlife with Guillermo del Toro the next. It’s an odd, slow burn.

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2

 Red Dead Redemption 2 came out initially on 26 October 2018. However, it was later released for PC following a series of optimizations to the game. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a violent story about the death of the Old West. You take control of Arthur Morgan, a man who belongs to an outlaw group and is disillusioned by the criminal lifestyle. Still, Arthur can’t see himself doing anything other than stealing and killing. This results in you undertaking many daring missions. Though not without some performance issues, Red Dead Redemption 2 amazes on PC. Its incredible story, beautiful graphics, a multitude of optional quests.

GHOST OF TSUSHIMA

Away from the sword clashing, Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima is surprisingly zen. The game surprisingly has innumerous possibilities such as crafting haikus whilst one marvel on a peaceful lake, or following a fox through the wilderness to a hidden shrine, or just go and see what that smoke in the sky is all about. A minimalist UI, waypoints pointed out by fluttering yellow birds and the wind makes for one of the most interesting, natural open-world experiences to date.

CALL OF DUTY WARZONE –

The first and by far the best multiplayer and battle royale game to play at the moment. Activision’s Call of Duty Warzone is the franchise’s second battle royale game but the level of popularity and success the game has received is quite extraordinary for a relatively new battle royale game. The map of Verdansk is a huge map that allows 150 players to jump in and fight it out for the Warzone Victory. The game is known for its continuous action allowing players to enjoy every bit of their time in the game. Call of Duty Warzone has racked up the most viewed game on Twitch title from its competitor Fortnite last month thereby marking another stepping stone towards the success of the game.

GTA V

Very few people who have a knack for playing games that have open-world mechanics can argue the fact that Grand Theft Auto Five is the best game that has the open world mechanic of all time. The downtown rides in a sports car across Los Santos does not get old for a passionate gamer. The campaign or the main storyline does not get boring even if one plays it repetitively because of the uniqueness and challenging aspect of each and every mission. After the addition of the online feature to the game, millions and millions of people worldwide still grind the game and enjoy it. Running their own in-game business or completing in-game heists along with the prospect of enjoying with friends makes the game feel exciting even 7 years after its release.