There is a place of open type unguided quests. but they are usually best kept to near the location of the quest giver. But should usually be prefaced by atleast letting a player know that a quest with no map point exists, and the general parameters it can include.

As some of my past postings have said. I really enjoy exploration and adventure. I like discovering things and finding new places and people (player or NPC) but quests them selves are requiring you to go somewhere and do something.

The only real life analogy i can think of is if a trucker showed up at a warehouse. Had the stuff loaded and when he asked where to go they said. Eh look for Joe's Market, Good luck. Quests to me are rarely the place to give no guidance at all. And even a quest where its left open should follow some "known" rules. SO a person who has never played, or played so many other things have some understanding of what is being required of them.

If you want a little adventure on a quest you could have the NPC in the general area of the quest. Have him tell you hes stalking beats "x" that lurks nearby, and then look around for it.

Quests that make you travel across the land and hope your trip over the location are more often frustraiting then fun. especially if its keeping you from another quest or the next part of the story line.

Besides i like Exploration and adventure when its more spintaneous. And theres no real expectation of anything, and a chance at nothing. Its what makes finding "something" that much more thrilling.