A designer who worked on GTA 6 has shared problems developers face when creating games especially when it comes to open world titles like Rockstar do. It is no secret players do things that the developers don’t intend to do but real insights from such talent is always exciting to learn about. We even have one example for Red Dead Redemption 2 and how Rockstar got through issues.
The interesting information comes from game designer Cameron Williams. He previously worked at Rockstar on Red Dead Online and spent several years on the unreleased GTA 6. Following his stint at Rockstar, Cameron went to work at Infinity Ward both CoD MWII and MWIII. He has since left the company to work at Absurd Ventures, the studio setup by Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser. Williams one of many ex-Rockstar developers who have made this transition.
Williams led a talk at this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) titled 9 Ways to Encourage Open World Engagement. As reported by PC Gamer, the designer kicked off his presentation with a slide reading “Common Open World Problems” and told the audience in attendance that “Players just don’t explore”.
Given Rockstar Games titles tend to be open world games, gaining learnings from someone who worked on GTA 6 is very interesting. Plus, we know Absurd Ventures are cooking up an open world game too.
The designer listed a few issues that begin open world fatigue for players. These include players not being compelled to do so, the game being heavy on action or a long time investment is needed to get into the game. This leads to “exploration anxiety” so players can see where to go but choose not to.
“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?’
A Red Dead Issue
In Red Dead Redemption 2, you can participate in fishing. Typically, fishing minigames may seem quite boring to players and they would not go and try it. However, Rockstar made learning the fishing mechanics part of the main story.
Williams shares that mission was the best version of fishing due to Jack reacting to what is happening and it an organic showcase of the fishing mechanics. This means when players can go fishing again they are reminded of the good memories from the main mission. Afterall, some players only choose to do the main story and skip all of the side content.
It will be interesting to see how Rockstar crafts their side content in GTA 6. How will they handle luring in players to content not part of the main story? That’s something Cameron and many other designers have been working on for many years already in the game.
We only have to wait several more months before GTA VI arrives. We’re also looking forward to seeing what the old guard of Rockstar are making at Absurd Ventures. So far they’ve confirmed an action-comedy game is in the works alongside an open world action/adventure game.
What do you think about side content in games? Let us know down in the comments below. As always, remember to stay tuned to RockstarINTEL for all of the latest GTA 6 news.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
7 Comments
I love exploring maps
When I am anticipating an open world game I am looking for full immersion. I want to give myself to the atmosphere and culture. There is a story to be told but there is also a world to be explored. Side missions go beyond the main story and help you understand the world culture and where the characters are coming from, antagonist and protagonist alike. Please never stop packing these games chock full of sub missions that nudge us into the deepest, darkest, foggiest corners of the map. I am so grateful for developers who put so much time, effort, passion and clever thought into introducing the players to a new world beyond the main story. Beautiful level design without full exploitation is such a waste.
This guy sounds like idiot. Far from Truth of a true gamer. Example I am currently upset with rockstar because on GTA V online they don’t give you enough parking spaces to own every vehicle in the game. So in my mind I can’t 100% complete the game. I know every inch on the map, I explore it daily looking for spots I may able to build a race track with the editor tool. I wish besides director mode I had easier way to change weather in private section so I can make better car screen shots. So I whole heartierly disagree.
I spent so long exploring all the maps in GTA and RDR. The forced fishing bit was the worst, fucking can’t stand fishing.
This is so stupid. Players explore all the time. I hate when these people take the smallest sample of their fan base ever and never ask anyone else. They think “damn 1-24 year old man who just wants to shoot shit and run around? Yeah seems legit. Everyone hates open world maps.” It’s ridiculous. Tons of people explore the maps and it’s hard to explore a map when everything is locked. I spend hours a day in GTA and none of that crap works. If I could go into every building, I would be in every building. Same for any open map. Chicks? Chicks love open world games. A lot. Go open any fanfic for any open world game and it’s like these ladies were NPCs themselves the way they know the entire map. But no one asks chicks, no one samples their data. They aren’t even considered real fans.
Lot of assumptions in this whole rant. I’m sure you know better than a veteran in the industry
It says it all in the title. This flog used to work for Rockstar, until he one day he opened his mouth and said something like this and got the sack. Good riddance