======Open Area====== {{:patterns:openarea-kotr.png?direct}} [[games:kotr|Knights of the Old Republic]] =====Description===== The open area is a mostly empty space with room to move in many directions. There are usually scattered enemies or quest-related NPCs, but very little tactical [[patterns:cover|cover]] apart from obstacles. Open areas are more likely to be found in an [[patterns:uncharted_area|uncharted area]] than in a [[patterns:city|city]]. Open areas provide a large field for tactical use in combat. The space may also be used to extend the time spent in the level, as traveling between key points can take quite a lot of time. It gives the level an [[patterns:open_world|open world]] feeling, giving the player full choice in their movement. The open area can include some structures and obstacles to guide movement and add challenge. =====Variables and Affordances===== * **Obstacles**.: an open area with no obstacles means the player can moved directly from point A to point B. Obstacles obscure the path, adding challenge. * **Points of interest**: an area with few points of interest (e.g. encounters) will quickly become boring if the level is too large. =====Examples===== * [[games:kotr|Knights of the Old Republic]]. //Dantooine & Tatooine//. Both maps are very open. * [[games:fallout3|Fallout 3]]. The entire top level of Fallout 3 is an open area, making the game an open world. * [[games:me|Mass Effect]]. //Uninhabited Planets//. When exploring these planets, Shepard is dropped into the middle of a large open area in a vehicle. ====In Worked Examples==== * [[examples:ratproblem|A Rat Problem]] * [[examples:blood_ties|Blood Ties]] * [[examples:take_it_back|Take It Back]] * [[examples:desertgate|Desertgate]] =====Related Patterns===== * [[patterns:uncharted_area|Uncharted Area]]. Open areas are likely to be uncharted, and the player explores them during the course of the game. =====Quest-Level Relationships===== * [[patterns:vehicle_mission|Vehicle Mission]]. In large open areas, the extra space allows for vehicle missions to be used. * [[patterns:diamond_superstructure|Diamond Superstructure]]. A massive superstructure could exist over this entire area, typically using points of interest as quest hubs. {{tag>level:PhysicalArea games:kotr games:me games:fallout3}}