Avowed Isn’t Open-World Because The ‘Pacing is Really Tough’ Without Zones

by

Globally, the game “Avowed” is set to debut on February 18, joining a packed schedule for the role-playing game (RPG) community this month. With anticipation running high among potential fans, there’s been a flurry of interest in news about the title. Lately, the focus has shifted towards the game’s structure and layout.

In a recent conversation with Xbox Wire, the creators at Obsidian explained why there won’t be an open world in their upcoming game, Avowed. This choice is intentional and strategic, aimed at enhancing the player’s overall experience by providing a more focused, engaging gameplay.

‘You Can Do Whatever You Want’

During an interview with Xbox Wire, team members from Obsidian Entertainment, namely Berto Ritger, Carrie Patel, and Kate Dollarhyde, provided insights into the characteristics of the ‘regions’ featured in the upcoming game Avowed.

In this expansive role-playing game, rather than being an open-world title, it focuses on compact areas, interconnected yet enclosed by boundaries to ensure a steady and controlled progression.

Or:

This RPG isn’t open-world; instead, it offers denser regions that are sectioned off by borders for a more streamlined and manageable experience.

Or:

Unlike an open-world game, this RPG features tightly packed regions confined within borders to maintain a smooth and consistent flow of gameplay.

During the interview, Dollarhyde – who works as a narrative designer – explained:

Pacing is really tough in open-world games.

At any moment, it’s uncertain where the player is or what they’re engaged in. However, by arranging these zones sequentially, we can always determine the recent core content the player has experienced on the primary path. While we may not be aware of any side quests they’ve completed, we are assured that they’ve just encountered a key experience.

That sentiment was echoed by Ritger, region director at Obsidian:

I think it’s a good pacing mechanism.

You have a general idea of your past actions before moving on to new things. Within these zones, there’s a great deal of freedom to do as you please, yet they are not interconnected spaces that allow for instantaneous travel across them.

By dividing the game world into smaller, intricately designed areas or districts, Obsidian is able to concentrate on providing a richer, player-driven experience. Although these zones are smaller than what we often see in large-scale RPG games, there will still be ample content in Avowed.

Read More

2025-01-26 00:48