Interesting little video. I'm not entirely sure that it's a directly 1:1 comparison for various reasons, like larger maps tending toward more water, or some games having different ways of representing that size with respect to travel times etc, but interesting nontheless.
I have doubts whether the very last example really counts also, but I guess it's more of a joke than anything
Games relevent to me, and therefore more interesting ... Arma 2 (in the guise of DayZ) Skyrim GTA V Fallout 3 Witcher 3 Minecraft
Last edited by DM; 10/17/1910:32 AM.
"They might look the same, but they don't taste the same."
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)
#4493268 - 10/17/1910:22 AMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: DM]
Witcher 3 for example has a playable area around 13km^2 for Velen and Novigrad, while the coordinate system for that map, including non-playable border regions is 72km^2
Skyrim - headline 37km^2. around 17km^2 usable, at most.
A few however are closer to their published sizes (though some of these are off...)
KC:D was 16.8km^2 (8192x8192 0.5m map cells), however the minimum playable area from this "tiny" map (in the context of the Witcher 3 headline numbers) is over 14km^2.
Even then, the idea that large map is good map is also misleading. If it is only large for the sake of big numbers on marketing fliers and the increased size doesn't add to, but detracts from engaging gameplay, then it is not a positive thing.
#4493269 - 10/17/1910:36 AMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: Lieste]
Even then, the idea that large map is good map is also misleading. If it is only large for the sake of big numbers on marketing fliers and the increased size doesn't add to, but detracts from engaging gameplay, then it is not a positive thing.
Well, to be fair it's a direct comparison only, it doesn't try to suggest whether any map is actually a good map
That said, the maps I listed as being of interest to me I regard as good maps. I'm a sucker for open world gameplay and large maps I admit, of the 4 gaming archetypes I am most definitely in the "explorer" camp
"They might look the same, but they don't taste the same."
#4493276 - 10/17/1912:07 PMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: DM]
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,346PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,346
Miami, FL USA
What about the playable map size for Elite Dangerous??
**mic drop**
Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 10/17/1912:32 PM.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Wan about the playable map size for Elite Dangerous??
**mic drop**
Lol, yeah that was my thought too I don't know how you would generate a map size for every explorable land area in a procedural galaxy with highly variable landable planet sizes though, except by rough estimation
"They might look the same, but they don't taste the same."
Wan about the playable map size for Elite Dangerous??
**mic drop**
I was expecting that to be the largest. I also missed the IL2 GB maps, with Bodenplatte being around 120,000 km2.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
#4493304 - 10/17/1903:27 PMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: DM]
I'd be curious how large classics such as Ultima 6, Ultima 7 and Wizardry 8 are compared to some more modern games--if that's even possible, considering the first two's tile-based nature. But Ultima 6 even had an entire underground world that connected with the overworld, and it was possible to travel vast distances through the caves.
Test Drive Unlimited is huge, btw. It feels like a 1:1 representation of Oahu, at least when I drive through it, and I've been there in person so I recall quite a bit.
#4493309 - 10/17/1904:07 PMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: DM]
Aren't the driving game maps a bit of "cheat"? I mean they only have to look good from the road, an area that's not visible from a road could be blank space.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
#4493316 - 10/17/1904:52 PMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: DM]
Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 19,581Raw Kryptonite
Beat the Kobayashi Maru
Raw Kryptonite
Beat the Kobayashi Maru
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19,581
MS
There was a driving game called Fuel that was open and HUGE. It wasn't bad either, but certainly not a sim.
"With a completely free to roam open world approximately 5,560 square miles (14,400 km2) in size, which is roughly the size of the U.S. state of Connecticut.[4] In the free roaming mode, the game features the ability to drive anywhere in the game world without incurring loading times..."
Aren't the driving game maps a bit of "cheat"? I mean they only have to look good from the road, an area that's not visible from a road could be blank space.
You can actually drive off the road in TDU and through the forests if you want. Best way to describe the game is if you recall Test Drive 3 from the 90s, where you could discover secret places offroad like a racing track, farms, etc. My daughter and I have done silly stuff in TDU like jumping over fences and driving through back yards.
#4493327 - 10/17/1906:10 PMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: DM]
Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 19,581Raw Kryptonite
Beat the Kobayashi Maru
Raw Kryptonite
Beat the Kobayashi Maru
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19,581
MS
That was part of the game wasn't it? Finding ways to jump into inaccessible parts of the map? LOL Had some fun times in that game.
What about FSX/P3D and X-Plane ? you get the whole planet to as playable area. Only things that could beat that would be space games such as the already mentioned Elite Dangerous and No Mans Sky.
Asus Maximus XI Hero i9-9900K 32Gb Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR4 3200MHz MSI RTX 2080Ti Ventus Corsair H115i Corsair RM850X PSU Phanteks Evolv X Asus VG32G Monitor 2560x1440 Win 10
#4493339 - 10/17/1907:05 PMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: DM]
Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 11,943Crane Hunter
Veteran
You have a size, resolution and differentiation issue too.
A "huge map" at an extremely low resolution might be suitable for general aviation and long haul flights.
A smaller map, at a moderate resolution is fine for vehicles on made roads, and a simplified environment for a military simulator where long ranges are desired.
A smaller map again might be more suitable for a localised role playing game where you are on foot.
The more intimate the setting, the more likely you are to see unique terrain and built environment at a personal scale throughout the game world. Again here you have a potential explosion of game world size... if every interior is on a separate loading screen this can get old fast. If all interiors are 'in' the world then you can see in and out, move in and out at will.
If all of the 'game world' is water or interstellar space... then the 'size' has little meaning.
#4493346 - 10/17/1908:18 PMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: Lieste]
If all of the 'game world' is water or interstellar space... then the 'size' has little meaning.
True. "Pacific Air War 1942" covered vast stretches of the Solomons, New Guinea and Philippines but was mostly water and what wasn't water was low resolution land. Was still a great sim though
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
#4493413 - 10/18/1907:40 AMRe: Video game map size comparison
[Re: DM]