An open-world video game is one in which the player is not railroaded along a specific path but is free to explore. In such ‘sandbox’ environments, the player has agency to choose which tasks to perform, which quests to pursue, and which enemies to vanquish. 

Series such as The Legend of Zelda (1986–), The Elder Scrolls (1994–), Grand Theft Auto (1997–), Shenmue (1999), and Red Dead Redemption (2010–) are lauded by players for the level of detail given to their environments and the freedom of exploratory movement they offer. 

Such Open Worlds were influenced and anticipated by tabletop role-playing games, where a Dungeons & Dragons map marked with suggestive but undeveloped locations – such as ‘ruin’, ‘cave’ or ‘tower’ – could become the basis for improvised exploration, encounters, and adventure. 

Image: Hex Map from the Greyhawk RPG. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Image courtesy of Ex Carta