At the recent GDC seminar, Cameron Williams, a former developer at Rockstar Games, shared his thoughts on the growing challenges facing open-world games. Now, with Absurd Ventures, the studio founded by Dan Houser, Williams reflected on his experiences working on titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Red Dead Online.
Williams noted that vast open worlds filled with excessive content can lead to what he calls “analysis paralysis,” whereby players find themselves unsure of where to go or what to do next. The sheer size of these environments often fails to reward players sufficiently for their time investment.
‘An Impossible Task’
During a panel discussion reported by PC Gamer, Williams elaborated on how open-world games are becoming unwieldy. With too many choices available, players often struggle to decide their next steps in-game.
Williams explained:
“Players just don’t look at, right? Whether they simply aren’t compelled or your game has a huge time investment and it’s hard for players to pick up and put down, which is an increasing challenge, especially with the sort of evolving ecosystem of free-to-play and live service games that are kind of eating everyone’s time and attention.”
“They’re wondering, ‘Okay, how far away is the next thing? I really gotta run all the way across the map? And what’s my gain? We want to avoid creating a possibility space so large that players simply just don’t know what to choose.
This sentiment resonates with many gamers today. In my recent review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, I highlighted similar concerns regarding open-world fatigue; while it’s a well-crafted title, its sprawling objectives often feel too distant. Players frequently rely on fast-travel mechanics rather than enjoying their surroundings.
Cameron Williams also pointed out how certain player types whom he referred to as “beelines ” are particularly affected by this trend. These gamers prefer direct paths from A to B without unnecessary distractions or side quests; they seek narrative engagement without excessive filler content.
The question remains: Are we reaching a point where open-world games have become overly bloated for most players? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
