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#4493267 - 10/17/19 09:45 AM Video game map size comparison  
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DM Offline
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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 smile



Games relevent to me, and therefore more interesting smile ...
Arma 2 (in the guise of DayZ)
Skyrim
GTA V
Fallout 3
Witcher 3
Minecraft

Last edited by DM; 10/17/19 10:32 AM.

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#4493268 - 10/17/19 10:22 AM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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Most are not 'playable area'.

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 - 10/17/19 10:36 AM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: Lieste]  
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Originally Posted by 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 smile

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 smile


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#4493276 - 10/17/19 12:07 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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What about the playable map size for Elite Dangerous??

**mic drop**

Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 10/17/19 12:32 PM.

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#4493278 - 10/17/19 12:16 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Wan about the playable map size for Elite Dangerous??

**mic drop**


Lol, yeah that was my thought too biggrin 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 biggrin


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#4493283 - 10/17/19 12:27 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
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.


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#4493304 - 10/17/19 03:27 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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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 - 10/17/19 04:07 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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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.


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#4493316 - 10/17/19 04:52 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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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..."


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#4493318 - 10/17/19 05:16 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: F4UDash4]  
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Originally Posted by F4UDash4
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 - 10/17/19 06:10 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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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.


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#4493338 - 10/17/19 06:50 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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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.


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#4493339 - 10/17/19 07:05 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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In a so-called open world game, I hate being confined to an area that's only the size of a real life theme park or neighborhood.

#4493340 - 10/17/19 07:12 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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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 - 10/17/19 08:18 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: Lieste]  
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Originally Posted by 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 wink


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#4493413 - 10/18/19 07:40 AM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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I also missed the DCS maps, as they are pretty huge and nicely detailed.

#4493898 - 10/21/19 01:35 PM Re: Video game map size comparison [Re: DM]  
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The Crew has a pretty massive decent open world map. Lots of places to explore and tons of fun with a few mates.


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