What is the appeal of open world content?

[Alex_Lenderson]

Please don't turn this into a hunts and atma complaining contest. I'm talking more in general - why do developers think open world content is good? Seems like a throwback to the bad old days of spawn 'stealing', lag fests and drama. I've never seen open world content (be it FFXIV, WoW, FFXI, or Guild Wars 2) require any skill.

So help me understand? It seems the FFXIV development team thinks open world content is very important, that must mean some portion of the player base thinks it is.

[TheUltimate3]

Open world content, when it works, helps make the world feel more alive and you are apart of it. Large, wide open areas make the player feel like they have transported to a far away planet, to a world where Crystals rule. Using this game and it's previous incarnation as an example, compared to the wide open (if bland) areas of 1.0, 2.0's open world feels cluttered and compact (if diverse).

As I said, that feeling really only happens when the open world works and there is a legit need to actually be out there. The other game I'm playing, ArcheAge and that game world his huge. It also has a reason to be that huge, because of the open world housing, limited resources, and PVP. Because the game is focused around such, their open world works.

[coldreactive]

Open world content, when it works, helps make the world feel more alive and you are apart of it. Large, wide open areas make the player feel like they have transported to a far away planet, to a world where Crystals rule. Using this game and it's previous incarnation as an example, compared to the wide open (if bland) areas of 1.0, 2.0's open world feels cluttered and compact (if diverse).

As I said, that feeling really only happens when the open world works and there is a legit need to actually be out there. The other game I'm playing, ArcheAge and that game world his huge. It also has a reason to be that huge, because of the open world housing, limited resources, and PVP. Because the game is focused around such, their open world works.

On the contrary, Radiata Stories with its day/night and living world cycles, where NPCs would travel between areas much like players (and on time), works just as well if not better.

[WellFooled]

On the contrary, Radiata Stories with its day/night and living world cycles, where NPCs would travel between areas much like players (and on time), works just as well if not better.

I feel like you were trying to quote me, but missed :P So to respond, Radiata Stories did have an awesome single player open world, but that's not the same as open world when discussing an MMO. Kind of like a raid in a single player RPG is a whole different concept from a raid in an MMO.

[coldreactive]

I feel like you were trying to quote me, but missed :P So to respond, Radiata Stories did have an awesome single player open world, but that's not the same as open world when discussing an MMO. Kind of like a raid in a single player RPG is a whole different concept from a raid in an MMO.

We already have NPCs that do transition between areas from time to time, especially in Limsa Lominsa.

[WellFooled]

We already have NPCs that do transition between areas from time to time, especially in Limsa Lominsa.

:x I think we're having different conversations about different things. Don't mind me, carry on!

[WellFooled]

Open World content is the one thing that is unique to MMOs. Doing content with a smaller group has been around since the earliest days of couch co-op, but only MMOs offer an environment where you can participate in content where there are hundreds of other players there cooperating or competing with you.

[skaterger]

Open world, when done well is incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeR7D1PfbQg

When it is done poorly, like hunts, it is terrible. Btw I hope the devs can take a look at how open world bosses were done in GW2, no rendering issues even with hundreds of players, there is a sense of danger with their abilities, they don't drop like a sack of potatoes even though they are elites, and they offer equal rewards for participation.

[Mugiawara]

Open world, when done well is incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeR7D1PfbQg

When it is done poorly, like hunts, it is terrible. Btw I hope the devs can take a look at how open world bosses were done in GW2, no rendering issues even with hundreds of players, there is a sense of danger with their abilities, they don't drop like a sack of potatoes even though they are elites, and they offer equal rewards for participation.

Oh God, I remember when I did this. xD! I was like HOLY FDJSKFDSKLF.
1:08 guy tries to help him, get punted away haha.

I'd also like some open world instances, like the ones in TERA. Those are super fun.

[Cyrus-Wallace]

Open world, when done well is incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeR7D1PfbQg

When it is done poorly, like hunts, it is terrible. Btw I hope the devs can take a look at how open world bosses were done in GW2, no rendering issues even with hundreds of players, there is a sense of danger with their abilities, they don't drop like a sack of potatoes even though they are elites, and they offer equal rewards for participation.

I remember that violet dragon too... the world bosses were amazing.