Open World

Open world describes a spatial structure rather than a genre. Instead of moving only through tightly ordered levels, players can usually explore a broad connected environment, choose activities, and approach objectives in different sequences. Boundaries and progression gates still exist, and some worlds open gradually. Designers must manage navigation, streaming, encounter density, travel, quest logic, and the risk of empty space. A sandbox often emphasizes interacting systems and player-driven experimentation; many games are both open world and sandbox, but one quality does not guarantee the other.