Question: what type of maps/levels do you prefer?

Community Community & Industry Discussion
1

Hi
Im doing some research for a project regardig map/level design, and I would like to know what you prefer (regarding the options beneath) in map/leveldesign.
The project is a FPS with rpg and survival elements.

1: Open world (simple, 1 seamless world without loading screens)

2: Stalker Shadow of Chernobyl (smaller maps that are connected (via a loadingscreen) where you can move in and out from other maps and go back anytime to each map, but with as I said with loading screens when moving from 1 map to another.

3: Escape from Tarkov (smaller maps. You can select a map to play on, enter that map, and have to leave the map at specific points, within a set time limit.

What would you prefer, and why, what do you think are (dis)advantages.
Thank you for your time and awnsers!.

Greets.

2

I am assuming that each scenario describes a large “open” world, scenario 2 and 3 seem more like a technical limitation than a design choice.
In case of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. (amazing game!) The game would have been better without the loading screens, and I’m sure they would have done that had the engine allowed for it.

So I do prefer no loading screens (fallout 3 and up for instance, except dungeons/buildings) in big worlds.
In more linear shooters, I really don’t mind loading screens, they often offer a nice break from the fast pace action (think; Metro, Serious Sam, etc.).

But honestly, again, I think it all comes down to technical game engine limitations.