Open-World or Linear?

Help and Feedback Game Design Support
1

Yesterday I asked if a stealth game was a good idea in Roblox, and seeing the responses, it is. Now I am stuck on map layout and design. Open world would mean there are less restrictions to players being able to explore, and could be added on to over the course of updates in the game but players could be confused on where to go. Linear would mean there are more restrictions to player exploration, but it would be easier for a player to understand where to go next. So which one should I go with?

2

You can give options with linear gameplay, like giving 3 ways to infitrate a compound or different ways to neutralize NPC’s. I said this because open-world games can be frustrating for kids aswell with linear gameplay and notifying players what to do would be easier for players to know what have to be done to progress.

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3

Good point. Would having an objective marker show up in an open world game help with objectives?

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4

I personally think linear games should have different paths for each environment/level/quest, so players can replay said levels multiple times (replayability).

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5

That would be good aswell and with an UI for listing available quests/missions or objectives will help player to understand what can be done.

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6

Regarding open world games, you should make traveling easier to understand, to not create too much confusion, like you said, map markers or pointers should do.

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7

Thanks for the help! I appreciate it!

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8

A combination of both ideas would actually make for much more streamlined yet fun and diverse gameplay. You could perhaps have a few different routes you could take for an objective but end up in the same place the game wants you to go, such as parkouring on rooftops, or sneaking through alleyways. Location/Quest markers would be super useful too, as it could further help guide players to where they should go next, in case they were to ever get off course.

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9

That would make the game a bit more interesting and enjoyable. Being able to go back to the same objectives but take different paths because you got a certain item would be cool.