Editing Open-world video games

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'''''Open-world video games''''' are a type of [[video game]] where a player can roam freely through a virtual world and is given considerable freedom in choosing how or when to approach objectives.<ref name=gradar/>

The term "free roam" is also used, as is "sandbox" and "free-roaming".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/07/pandemic_working_on_new_open_world_sandbox_ip/ | title = Pandemic Working On New 'Open World / Sandbox' IP | author = Logan Booker | publisher = Kotaku | date = 2008-07-14 | accessdate = 2008-07-25 }}</ref><ref name=cvg_history2>{{Cite web | title = The complete history of open-world games (part 2) | publisher = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date = May 25, 2008 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=189599 | accessdate = 2008-07-25}}</ref> "Open world" and "free-roaming" suggest [[nonlinear gameplay]] with the absence of artificial barriers,<ref name=gsutra_20games/> in contrast to the invisible walls and loading screens that are common in linear level designs. The term "sandbox" is often used incorrectly. Open world doesn't necessarily mean sandbox. A true "[[sandbox]]" is where the player has tools to modify the world themselves and create how they play.

The roots of open-world gaming can be traced back as early as ''[[Go]]'' (c. 300 BCE). The [[List of firsts in gaming history|first open-world game]] was [[SEGA]]'s ''[[Jet Rocket]]'' (1970), followed by [[Taito]]'s ''[[Western Gun]]'' (1975) and ''[[Interceptor]]'' (1975). The first 3D open-world game was SEGA's combat flight simulator ''[[Heli-Shooter]]'' (1977). The first top-down scrolling open-world game was [[Namco]]'s ''[[Rally-X]]'' (1980). The first true fully-scaled on-foot open-world games were ''[[Courageous Perseus]]'' and ''[[Hydlide]]'' (1984), which influenced ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' (1986), the first open-world console game and the most influential open-world game, with most modern open-world games tracing their roots to ''Zelda''. The first [[Three-dimensional|polygonal 3D]] open-world games were [[Arsys Software]]'s ''[[Wibarm]]'' (1986) and ''[[Star Cruiser]]'' (1988). The most influential 3D open-world video game was ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'' (2001).

==Definition==
The term "open world" doesn't have a clear definition. But the most common usage of "open world" refers to a game that features free-roaming outdoor exploration across a large game world that is fully-scaled and continuous. The term "open world" is rarely used in reference to games where exploration is limited to indoor [[dungeon]]s, or games with outdoor [[overworld]] maps that are not to scale.

===Criteria===
The definition of an open world generally, but not always includes most of the following criteria:

* A free-roaming environment with limited restrictions on where the player can go, in contrast to more linear games with heavier restrictions on where the player can go.
* An outdoor landscape, which accounts for the majority of the game's environment, in contrast to games where most of the environment is indoors, such as a building, dungeon or cave.
* A [[List of largest game worlds|large world]], with an environment that at least has the size of a large city or island, in contrast to environments limited to a smaller locale such as a building, dungeon or small town.
* A fully-scaled world, which is graphically represented with a fairly realistic scale relative to the [[player character]] or vehicle, and with a constant, uniform, continuous scale. This is in contrast to an [[overworld]] that is represented with a highly unrealistic scale, and often with differing scales for different environments.
* On-foot traversal, where a world can be mostly traversed on foot, in contrast to worlds that are mostly traversed in vehicles.
* A [[Real-time|real-time]] world, where the world is in motion regardless of what the player does, such as a world rendered in real-time, enemies moving around independently of the player, or a [[persistent world]] with day-night cycles.
* [[Three-dimensional|3D graphics]], with the world rendered as a real-time 3D environment (particularly a [[Three-dimensional|polygonal 3D]] environment) that the player can explore in a [[First-person perspective video games|first]]/[[Third-person perspective video games|third-person]] perspective.

==History==
{{See also|List of largest game worlds}}

===''Go'' (c. 300 BCE) to ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (1974 CE)===
In an abstract form, the first open-world [[board game]] was the ancient Chinese-Japanese [[strategy game]] ''[[Go]]'' (''c.'' 300 BCE), where the board represented a large [[overworld]]. While the ancient Indian-Persian game ''[[Chess]]'' (''c.'' 400 CE) was more tactical and smaller-scale, ''Go'' was more strategic and larger-scale, with the board representing a large overworld map that pieces explored while capturing territories.

In 19th-century Prussia, ''Chess'' and ''Go'' evolved into [[wargaming]], which had more realistic overworld maps. ''[[Chainmail]]'' (1971) gave wargaming a fantasy setting, which provided the basis for [[role-playing game]]s such as ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' (1974) and ''[[Empire of the Petal Throne]]'' (1975), retaining the overworld maps of their wargaming predecessors. In turn, the overworld maps carried over to [[role-playing video games]] in the early 1980s, though these early overworld maps were not to scale, so would not fit the modern definition of an open world as understood today, but can be considered precursors to open-world gaming.

===''Jet Rocket'' (1970) to ''Hydlide'' (1984)===
[[File:Jet Rocket.jpg|thumb|[[SEGA]]'s ''[[Jet Rocket]]'' (1970), the first open-world game.]]

The first open-world game was ''[[Jet Rocket]]'', a [[Electro-mechanical game|video projection]] [[arcade game]] released by [[SEGA]] in August 1970. It introduced free-roaming flight movement over an open-world 3D landscape, for the first time in an [[electronic game]], with players flying around in a first-person perspective and shooting at various landmarks across the game world.<ref>Carl Therrien, [http://gamestudies.org/1502/articles/therrien Inspecting Video Game Historiography Through Critical Lens: Etymology of the First-Person Shooter Genre], ''Game Studies: The International Journal of Computer Game Research'', Volume 15, issue 2, December 2015, ISSN 1604-7982</ref><ref name="jet-rocket">[http://segaretro.org/Jet_Rocket Jet Rocket] at [[SEGARetro]]</ref> This makes it the first open-world electronic game. ''Jet Rocket'' inspired several clones,<ref>https://archive.org/stream/NextGeneration24Dec1996/Next_Generation_24_Dec_1996#page/n10/mode/1up</ref> including Bally's ''[[Target Zero]]'' and Williams' ''[[Flotilla]]'', both released in December 1970.

The first 3D open-world games were [[Kasco]]'s space combat sim ''[[Star V]]'' (1975)<ref name=":1">https://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/kstar.htm</ref> and Sega's flight combat sim ''[[Heli-Shooter]]'' (1977), which allowed the player to fly a vehicle in any direction across a free-roaming, open-world landscape.<ref>http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/shelishoot.htm</ref>

[[File:Western Gun.jpg|thumb|[[Taito]]'s ''[[Western Gun]]'' (1975), the first open-world [[video game]].]]

The first open-world [[video game]] was [[Taito]]'s ''[[Western Gun]]'' (1975), localized for North America as ''[[Gun Fight]]'' (1975). ''Western Gun'' had two cowboy gunslingers who could freely roam across an environment littered with cacti and mountains while attempting to shoot each other. The North American ''Gun Fight'' limited each player's movement to their own side of the screen, whereas the original Japanese ''Western Gun'' allowed players to freely roam across anywhere on the screen. ''Gun Fight'' also reduced the scale of the environment, with mountains no longer being present.

Taito's ''[[Interceptor]]'' (1975), designed by [[Tomohiro Nishikado]], was the first free-roaming sandbox game with a [[scrolling]] open world.<ref>[https://giantbomb.com/interceptor/3030-36563/ Interceptor]</ref>

The first video game with an [[overworld]] was the University of Tokyo's ''[[Heiankyo Alien]]'' (1979). It was a [[maze]] chase game predating ''[[Pac-Man]]'' (1980), but with a major difference being that the maze represents an entire city, the ancient Japanese city of [[Wikipedia:Heian-kyō|Heian-kyō]], or what is today [[Wikipedia:Kyoto|Kyoto]]. SEGA's [[Stealth video games|stealth]] game ''[[005]]'' (1981) took this further, with the player walking around an overworld city and entering buildings.

[[File:Rallyx2.png|thumb|[[Namco]]'s ''[[Rally-X]]'' (1980), the first [[scrolling]] open-world video game.]]

''[[Rally-X]]'', released by [[Namco]] in 1980, was the first [[scrolling]] open-world video game, and the first open-world driving game, a distant ancestor to ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]''. ''Rally-X'' featured a vehicle driving around a multi-scrolling game world, becoming the basis for ''[[Miami Vice]]'' (1986),<ref>[http://www.elmundodelspectrum.com/contenido.php?id=368&d=Miami-Vice-(1986)-OCEAN Miami Vice (1986) OCEAN], El Mundo del Spectrum</ref> which in turn became the basis for ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' (1997).

While the roots of open-world strategy gaming can be traced back to the board game ''[[Go]]'' (c. 300 BCE), the first open-world [[Strategy video games|strategy video game]] was ''[[Nobunaga's Ambition]]'', released in 1983, featuring a large [[overworld]] map.<ref name="cgw">{{Cite journal|first=Evan|last=Brooks|work=[[Computer Gaming World]]|date=September 1988|issue=51|pages=12–13, 34, 48–49|title=The Politics of War|quote=Both games come from Japan (Koei Corporation) and deal with the unification of countries during a feudal era and both games offer the sophisticated strategy player an opportunity to balance economic, diplomatic, and military decisions during a formative period of a foreign nation.}}</ref> The same year, ''[[Portopia Serial Murder Case]]'' was the first open-world [[adventure game]].<ref name="oxm">{{Cite magazine|title=Megal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain|magazine=Official Xbox Magazine|date=Christmas 2015|url=https://archive.org/stream/Xbox_The_Official_Magazine_Xmas_2015#page/n107/mode/2up}}</ref><ref name="tieryas">{{Citation|author=[[Peter Tieryas]]|title=THE MURDER MYSTERY FROM THE CREATOR OF DRAGON QUEST|magazine=Entropy|url=https://entropymag.org/the-murder-mystery-from-the-creator-of-dragon-quest/|date=April 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | last=Jacobi | first=Scott | publication-date=October 2006 | title=Nintendo Realm - November to December 1985 | periodical=Retrogaming Times Monthly | issue=29 | url=http://my.stratos.net/~hewston95/RTM29/RTM29.html | accessdate=2007-08-16 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630232207/my.stratos.net/~hewston95/RTM29/RTM29.html | archivedate=June 30, 2007}}</ref>

A precursor to open-world gaming was the open dungeon exploration of early role-playing games. This dates back to tabletop RPGs such as ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and ''Empire of the Petal Throne'', which adapted the outdoor exploration of earlier wargames such as ''Chainmail'', which in turn is rooted in the outdoor overworld exploration of ''Go''. Dungeon exploration can be seen in early computer role-playing games such as ''Temple of Apshai'' (1979) as well as RPG-influenced adventure games such as ''Adventure'' (1980), and in treasure-hunting arcade games such as ''[[Tutankham]]'' (1982) and ''[[The Tower of Druaga]]'' (1984). However, these do not constitute open worlds in the modern sense, which refers to large outdoor environments, which early computer role-playing games or adventure games did not have until ''Ultima'' (1981), which in turn got its overworld concept from tabletop RPGs such as ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and ''Empire of the Petal Throne''. But in ''Ultima{{'}}s'' case, the overworld was not to scale, as was the case in tabletop role-playing games, with the player character being a giant on the world map, which doesn't fit the modern definition of an open world either.

Early examples of free-roaming, [[Nonlinear gameplay|non-linear]], open worlds in video games, with generally gradually increasing open-endedness, include ''[[Bosconian]]'' (1981),<ref>{{allgame|398|Bosconian}}</ref> ''[[Time Pilot]]'' (1982),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits - NDS - Review|publisher=[[GameZone]]|date=April 9, 2007|url=http://nds.gamezone.com/reviews/item/konami_classics_series_arcade_hits_nds_review|accessdate=2011-04-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Konami Arcade Classics: Well, at least it's classic|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=January 7, 2000|url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/161/161714p1.html|accessdate=2011-04-08}}</ref> ''[[Panorama Toh]]'' (1983),<ref>[http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2013/06/dark-age-of-jrpgs-6-panorama-toh-pc-88.html Dark Age of JRPGs (7): Panorama Toh ぱのらま島 - PC-88 (1983)], Hardcore Gaming 101</ref> [[W:c:dataeast:Boomer Rang'r|''Boomer Rang'r'']] (1983), ''[[Mugen no Shinzou]]'' (1984), ''[[Dragon Slayer]]'' (1984),<ref name=gsutra_20games/> ''[[Ginga Hyoryu Vifam]]'' (1984),<ref>{{MobyGames|gingahyry-vifam|Gingahyōryū Vifam}}</ref> ''[[Hydlide]]'' (1984), ''[[Tritorn]]'' (1984), and ''[[Elite]]'' (1984).<ref name=gradar>{{Cite web | last = Sefton | first = Jamie | title = The roots of open-world games | publisher = [[GamesRadar]] | date = July 11, 2007 | url = http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-roots-of-open-world-games/a-200807111086555044 | accessdate = 2008-07-25}}</ref><ref name="gamasutra_elite">{{Cite web | last = Barton | first = Matt | coauthors = Bill Loguidice | title = The History of Elite: Space, the Endless Frontier | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = April 7, 2009 | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3983/the_history_of_elite_space_the_.php | accessdate = 2009-12-27}}</ref><ref name=egamer>{{Cite web | last = Whitehead | first = Dan | title = Born Free: the History of the Openworld Game | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | date = February 4, 2008 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=91968 | accessdate = 2008-07-25}}</ref><ref name=cvg_history1>{{Cite web | title = The complete history of open-world games (part 1) | publisher = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date = May 24, 2008 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=189591 | accessdate = 2008-07-25}}</ref>

Open-world arcade flight simulators such as SEGA's ''[[Jet Rocket]]'' (1970) and its clones ''[[Flotilla]]'' and ''[[Target Zero]]'', along with SEGA's more advanced 3D flight simulator ''[[Heli-Shooter]]'' (1977), influenced the development of free-roaming flight simulator video games such as ''[[Flight Simulator]]'' (1980), which in turn influenced open-world space simulators such as ''[[Elite]]'' (1984), and which in turn influenced ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' (1997).

===''Hydlide'' (1984) to ''Drakkhen'' (1989)===
[[File:Hydlide.png|thumb|''[[Hydlide]]'' (1984), one of the first fully-scaled on-foot open-world games, along with ''[[Courageous Perseus]]'' (1984).]]

Released in [[Japan]] at around the same time in 1984, the [[action role-playing video games]] ''[[Hydlide]]'' and ''[[Courageous Perseus]]''<ref name="perseus">[https://www.giantbomb.com/courageous-perseus/3030-50596/ Courageous Perseus] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref> were the first true open-world video games in the modern sense of the word. They were the first games to feature on-foot, outdoor exploration in a fully-scaled, continuous open world. They marked a significant departure from earlier attempts at exploration, which was either limited to open dungeon exploration but with no outdoor exploration (such as earlier role-playing games and adventure games), or outdoor exploration represented by an overworld that is not to scale. Modern open-world game design largely traces back its origins to ''Hydlide'' and ''Courageous Perseus'', especially through their influence on ''The Legend of Zelda''.

[[File:Zelda1.png|thumb|''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' (1986), the most influential open-world game.]]

''Hydlide'' and ''Courageous Perseus'', the first fully-scaled on-foot open-world games, influenced ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' (1986), which adapted a similar open-world design on a larger scale. ''The Legend of Zelda'' was the most influential open-world game, with most open-world games today tracing their roots to ''The Legend of Zelda''. With [[non-linear gameplay]], it set the foundations for later [[Action video games|action]]/[[adventure video games]] games like ''[[Metroid]]'' and [[role-playing video game]]s like ''[[Final Fantasy]]'', while influencing most modern games in general.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118055022/techland.time.com/2012/11/15/all-time-100-video-games/slide/the-legend-of-zelda-1986|title=ALL-TIME 100 Video Games |publisher=[[wikipedia:TIME|TIME]] |author= Peckham, Matt |date=2012-11-15 |accessdate=2014-08-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-legend-of-zelda-25th-anniversary-a-look-back/1100-6347962/|title=The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary A Look Back|publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author= Mc Shea, Tom |date=20121-21-12 |accessdate=2014-08-12}}</ref> For example, ''The Legend of Zelda'' also went on to inspire the constant-scale continuous open world designs that later appeared in ''[[Times of Lore]]'' (1988), the ''[[Ultima (series)|Ultima]]'' series from ''[[Ultima VI: The False Prophet]]'' (1990) onwards<ref name="cgw">''[[Computer Gaming World]]'', issue 68 (February 1990), pages 34 & 38</ref> (which in turn inspired [[The Elder Scrolls (series)|''The Elder Scrolls'' series]]), the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series (which its creators called "''The Legend of Zelda'' meets ''Goodfellas''"),<ref name="ign">http://ign.com/articles/2001/09/10/rockstars-sam-houser-mouths-off</ref> and ''[[The Witcher]]'' series (its creators cited ''The Legend of Zelda'' as inspiration behind its world design).

There were several early games that offered players the ability to explore an open world while driving a variety of ground vehicles. ''[[TX-1]]'' (1983),<ref name=TX-1>{{MOTG|10004|TX-1}}</ref> ''[[W:c:dataeast:Kamikaze Cabbie|Kamikaze Cabbie]]'' (1984), ''[[The Battle-Road]]'' (1984)<ref name=Battle-Road>{{MOTG|7055|The Battle-Road}}</ref> and ''[[Out Run]]'' (1986)<ref name=OutRun>{{Cite web|author=Brian Gazza|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/outrun/outrun.htm|title=Outrun|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=2011-03-17}}</ref> were non-linear driving games that allowed the player to drive through multiple different paths that lead to different possible routes and [[Multiple endings|final destinations]].<ref name=TX-1/><ref name=Battle-Road/><ref name=OutRun/> ''[[W:c:dataeast:Kamikaze Cabbie|Kamikaze Cabbie]]'' (1984) and ''Turbo Esprit'' (1986) provided free-roaming city environments and have been cited as influences on ''Grand Theft Auto''.<ref name="rg20">Retrorevival: Turbo Esprit, ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' issue 20, page 48. [[Imagine Publishing]], 2006.</ref> ''[[River City Ransom]]'' (1989) was an early sandbox [[Beat 'em up video games|brawler]] reminiscent of ''Grand Theft Auto''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|title=Retronauts Carjacks Grand Theft Auto|url=http://www.1up.com/news/retronauts-carjacks-gta|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|accessdate=23 January 2012|date=2008-04-29}}</ref> Another early open-world game reminiscent of ''GTA'' was ''[https://www.giantbomb.com/takeshi-no-chousenjou/3030-25669/ Takeshi no Chōsenjō]'' (''Takeshi's Challenge''), a 1986 [[Family Computer]] video game only released in Japan; it was an unusual game for its time, featuring free-roaming gameplay while, much like ''GTA'', allowing players to randomly attack any people (and having to escape police if the player murders a person) or even punch random objects (including menus). Another precursor was [[Speed Rumbler]] (1986), which featured a combination of [[Run and gun video games|run &amp; gun]] shooter with [[Racing video gamess|driving]] mechanics, resulting in a new action game hybrid that would inspire games like ''Grand Theft Auto'' decades later.<ref>[http://www.giantbomb.com/speed-rumbler/3030-20704/ Speed Rumbler] on [[Giant Bomb]]</ref>

The [[Metroidvania]] school of game design introduced side-scrolling open worlds. Early examples of open-world Metroidvania game design included ''[[Brain Breaker]]'' (1984/1985), ''[[Xanadu]]'' (1985), ''[[Metroid]]'' (1986) and ''[[Vampire Killer]]'' (1986). The Metroidvania school had a significant influence on open-world gaming.

Other early examples of open-world games released during 1985-1986 include ''[[Star Luster]]'' (1985),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star Luster|work=[[Virtual Console]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_slr/|accessdate=2011-05-08}} ([http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nintendo.co.jp%2Fwii%2Fvc%2Fvc_slr%2F&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8 Translation])</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Szczepaniak |first=John |year=2015 |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers |volume=2 |pages=506 & 982 |quote=technically impressive real-time first-person 3D space shoot-em-up (imagine ''Elite'' but without vector graphics); with intense combat and a large free-roaming map containing enemy bases and refuelling stations, players need to plan their attacks strategically.}}</ref> ''[[Baraduke]]'' (1985),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Szczepaniak |first=John |year=2015 |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers |volume=2 |page=498 |quote=''Baraduke'' has a lot of iconic sci-fi elements, including from the ''Alien'' films. It's also a rather fun and intense free-roaming 2D shmup}}</ref> ''[[Brain Breaker]]'' (1985),<ref>{{Cite web|author=John Szczepaniak|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/JPNcomputers/Japanesecomputers4.htm|title=Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier|page=4|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=2011-03-16}} Reprinted from {{Citation|title=Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier|work=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=67|year=2009}}</ref> ''[[Riglas: Tamashii no Kaiki]]'' (''リグラス'') (1985),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Szczepaniak |first=John |year=2014 |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers |publisher=SMG Szczepaniak |volume=1 |page=7 |isbn=978-0-9929260-3-8 |quote=''Riglas: Tamashii no Kaiki'' – large free roaming RPG exclusive to Japanese computers, worth checking out}}</ref> ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (1985),<ref name="cgw"/> [[Gutchan Bank|''Gutchan Bank'']] (1985),<ref>[https://fm-7.com/museum/products/jit39lzg/ Gutchan Bank]</ref> ''[[Metroid]]'' (1986), ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' (1986),<ref name=gsutra_20games>{{Cite web | last = Harris | first = John | title = Game Design Essentials: 20 Open World Games | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = September 26, 2007 | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1902/game_design_essentials_20_open_.php | accessdate = 2008-07-25}}</ref> and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' (1986).<ref>{{Cite web|title=15 Most Influential Games of All Time: The Legend of Zelda|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p9_01.html|accessdate=2010-01-24}}</ref><ref name=gsutra_20games/>

The first open-world 3D video games were [[SystemSoft Alpha|SystemSoft]]'s ''[[Yūgeki-ō]]'' (1985),<ref name=":0">[https://necretro.org/Y%C5%ABgeki-%C5%8D Yūgeki-ō]</ref> [[Arsys Software]]'s ''[[Wibarm]]'' in 1986 and ''[[Star Cruiser]]'' in 1988. They were both the first to use [[Three-dimensional|3D polygon graphics]] to render their open-world environments.

Later in 1989, [[Infogrames]] would release ''[[Drakkhen]]'', an Action RPG with real time tactic elements as well as a day an night cycle. The game did not employ a fully 3D [[game engine]], instead implementing a hybrid approach using vectors and bitmapped [[2.5D#Scaling along the Z axis|character-scaling]] [[algorithms]]. This possibly makes Drakkhen the first 3D open-world RPG with real time tactics.

===''Metal Max'' (1991) to ''Shenmue'' (1999)===
Since 1991, the [[Metal Max (series)|''Metal Max'' series]] of post-apocalyptic [[role-playing game]]s featured truly open-ended, [[non-linear]] gameplay. They lack a predetermined story path, but the player is instead given the choice of what missions to follow in whichever order while being able to visit any place in the game world at any time.<ref name="vc_mm">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_mmx/index.html|title=Metal Max|work=[[Virtual Console]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=2011-05-16}} ([http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nintendo.co.jp%2Fwii%2Fvc%2Fvc_mmx%2Findex.html Translation])</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_mmx2/index.html|title=Metal Max 2|work=[[Virtual Console]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=2011-05-16}} ([http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nintendo.co.jp%2Fwii%2Fvc%2Fvc_mmx2%2Findex.html Translation])</ref><ref name=Crea-Tech/> The [[Multiple endings|ending]] can be determined by the player, who can alter the ending through their actions, can complete the game at almost any time, and continue playing the game even after the ending.<ref name=Crea-Tech>[http://www.crea-tech.net/GAMES/games_MM_gai01.html Metal Max] ([http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crea-tech.net%2FGAMES%2Fgames_MM_gai01.html Translation]), Crea-Tech</ref> Some of the games give the player the freedom to complete the game almost immediately after starting it, particularly ''[[Metal Saga]]'', which could be completed with a full ending scenario just minutes into the game, making it the shortest possible RPG.<ref>[http://www.rpgamer.com/games/metal/metalsaga/metalsagaimp.html Metal Saga - Impression], [[RPGamer]], Spring 2006</ref> Since ''[[Romancing SaGa]]'' in 1992, the [[SaGa (series)|''SaGa'' series]] has also been known for its truly open-ended, non-linear gameplay, offering many choices and allowing players to complete quests in any order, with the decision of whether or not to participate in any particular quest affecting the outcome of the storyline. The game also allowed players to choose from eight different characters, each with their own stories that start in different places and offer different outcomes.<ref name=IGN-Romancing-Saga>[http://ps2.ign.com/articles/799/799108p2.html Romancing SaGa Review], [[IGN]]</ref> ''[[Romancing SaGa]]'' thus succeeded in providing a very different experience during each run through the game, something that even later sandbox RPGs such as ''[[Fable]]'' had promised but were unable to live up to.<ref name=RPGFan-Romancing-Saga>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/romancingsagaminstrel/index.html|title=Romancing SaGa|author=Patrick Gann|publisher=RPGFan|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

''[[Metal Max]]'' (1991) was an open-world RPG,<ref>http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/gba/mm2kai/reviews/mm2kaistrev1.html</ref> where the player can pursue missions in any order, visit any place in the game world,<ref name=Crea-Tech/><ref name=Nintendo>[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_mmx/index.html Metal Max] ([http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nintendo.co.jp%2Fwii%2Fvc%2Fvc_mmx%2Findex.html Translation]), [[Virtual Console]], [[Nintendo]]</ref> determine the [[Multiple endings|ending]] through their actions, complete the game at almost any time, and continue playing the game after the ending.<ref name=Crea-Tech>[http://www.crea-tech.net/GAMES/games_MM_gai01.html Metal Max] ([http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crea-tech.net%2FGAMES%2Fgames_MM_gai01.html Translation]), Crea-Tech</ref> ''[[Romancing SaGa]]'' (1992) was an open-ended RPG by [[Square (company)|Square]] that offered many choices and allowed players to complete quests in any order, with the decision of whether or not to participate in any particular quest affecting the outcome of the storyline.<ref name="ign_romancing_saga">{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Meghan|title=Romancing SaGa Review|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/799/799108p2.html|publisher=IGN|accessdate=15 May 2011|date=11 October 2005}}</ref>

''[[Secret of Mana]]'' (1993) was a major leap forward for open-world gaming. Its open world was the largest at the time (millions of square miles), significantly larger than ''The Legend of Zelda'' games at the time, for example. ''Secret of Mana'' could've had an even larger open world if it released for the SNES CD add-on as originally planned, but had to be cut down to fit onto a SNES cartridge.

===''Grand Theft Auto III'' (2001) to ''Breath of the Wild'' (2017)===
Some critics treat the release of ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'' in 2001 as a revolutionary event in the [[history of video games]].<ref>[[Game Informer]] Issue 138 p.73</ref> The game's creator Sam Houser, however, described ''Grand Theft Auto III'' as "''Zelda meets Goodfellas''".<ref>http://ign.com/articles/2001/09/10/rockstars-sam-houser-mouths-off</ref> Other critics also likened ''Grand Theft Auto III'' to ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' and ''[[Metroid (series)|Metroid]]'',<ref name=gsutra_20games/> as well as ''[[Shenmue]]'',<ref name=Escapist>Brendan Main, [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_285/8455-Lost-in-Yokosuka Lost in Yokosuka], ''[[wikipedia:The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]''</ref><ref name=GTM>[http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1148/interview-with-shenmue-creator-yu-suzuki Shenmue: Creator Yu Suzuki Speaks Out], ''[[GamesTM]]''</ref><ref name=IGN>[http://uk.games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/9.html Yu Suzuki], [[IGN]]</ref><ref name=1UP>[http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=3&cId=3182648 The Disappearance of Yu Suzuki: Part 1], [[1UP.com|1UP]]</ref> and noted how ''GTA III'' had elements from earlier games. For example, open-ended missions based on operating a taxi cab in a sandbox environment were the basis for SEGA's ''[[Crazy Taxi]]'' (1999).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top 25 Racing Games... Ever! Part 1|work=[[w:g:magazinesfromthepast:Retro Gamer|Retro Gamer]]|date=16 September 2009|url=http://www.nowgamer.com/features/423/top-25-racing-games-ever-part-1?o=1|accessdate=2011-03-17}}</ref>

The next major leap forward for open-world gaming is ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]'' (2017). It introduced an innovative sandbox approach to open-world design, where the player has full freedom to interact with the open-world environment, with intuition, an advanced physics engine, and a new chemistry engine.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/17/14957460/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-nintendo-switch-future-games</ref>

==Evolution of open-world gaming==
{{See also|List of firsts in gaming history|List of largest game worlds|Non-linear video games}}

The following tables and diagrams show the evolution of open-world gaming.

===Timeline of early milestones===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto; margin:auto;font-size:85%"
|-
! Year
! Developer
! Game
! Milestone
! Genre
|-
| c. 300 BCE
| [[China]]
| ''[[Go]]''
| Open-world [[board game]],<br />board game with [[overworld]]
| [[Strategy video games|Strategy]],<br />[[Wargaming|wargame]]
|-
| c. 400 CE
| [[Wikipedia:Indian subcontinent|Indian subcontinent]]
| ''[[Chess]]''
| Free-roaming tactical [[Wargaming|wargame]],<br />free-roaming battlefield
| [[Strategy video games|Strategy]],<br />[[Wargaming|wargame]]
|-
| [[1970s in video gaming|1970]]
| [[SEGA]]
| ''[[Jet Rocket]]'' <ref name="jet-rocket"/>
| Open-world [[electronic game]],<br />[[Three-dimensional|3D]] open world,<br />[[First-person perspective video games|first-person]] open world
| [[Flight simulation video games|Flight sim]],<br />[[First-person shooter|FPS]]
|-
| [[1974 in video gaming|1974]]
| [[Gary Gygax]],<br />[[M. A. R. Barker|Muhammad Barker]]
| ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'',<br />''[[Empire of the Petal Throne]]''
| [[Role-playing game]] with overworld
| [[Role-playing game|Tabletop RPG]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[1975 in video gaming|1975]]
|[[Kasco]]
|''[[Star V]]'' <ref name=":1" />
|[[Three-dimensional|3D]] open world,<br />3D [[First-person perspective video games|first-person]] open world,<br />3D [[third-person]] open world
|Space combat sim
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Taito]] <br> ([[Tomohiro Nishikado]])
| ''[[Western Gun]]''
| Open-world [[video game]],<br />free-roaming [[Arcade video games|arcade video game]]
| [[Shoot 'em up video games|Multi-directional]] [[shooter]]
|-
| ''[[Interceptor]]''
| [[Scrolling]] open-world video game
| [[Flight simulation video games|Flight sim]]
|-
| [[1976 in video gaming|1976]]
| Don Daglow
| ''[[Dungeon]]''
| Free-roaming [[computer game]]
| [[Computer role-playing game|CRPG]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1977 in video gaming|1977]]
| [[SEGA]]
| ''[[Heli-Shooter]]''
| [[Three-dimensional|3D]] open world,<br />3D [[First-person perspective video games|first-person]] open world
| [[Flight simulation video games|Flight sim]],<br />[[First-person shooter|FPS]]
|-
| William Crowther
| ''[[Colossal Cave Adventure]]''
| Free-roaming [[computer]] game
| [[Text adventure]]
|-
| [[1979 in video gaming|1979]]
| [[wikipedia:University of Tokyo|University of Tokyo]]
| ''[[Heiankyo Alien]]''
| Open-world computer game,<br />video game with overworld
| [[Action video games|Action]],<br />[[Puzzle video games|puzzle]],<br />[[Maze video games|maze]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[1980 in video gaming|1980]]
| [[Namco]]
| ''[[Rally-X]]''
| [[Scrolling]] open-world video game,<br />open-world driving game
| [[Maze video games|Maze]],<br />[[Racing video games|racing]]
|-
| [[Atari]]
| ''[[Adventure]]''
| Multi-screen indoor castle exploration
| [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]]
|-
| [[SubLOGIC]]
| ''[[Flight Simulator]]''
| Free-roaming [[Flight simulation video games|flight simulator video game]]
| [[Flight simulation video games|Flight sim]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[1981 in video gaming|1981]]
| [[SEGA]]
| ''[[005]]''
| Open-world [[action game]],<br />action game with overworld
| [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]],<br />[[Stealth action video games|stealth]]
|-
| [[Namco]]
| ''[[Bosconian]]''
| Open-world [[shooter]]
| [[Shoot 'em up]]
|-
| Origin Systems
| ''[[Ultima]]''
| [[Computer role-playing game|CRPG]] with overworld
| [[Computer role-playing game|CRPG]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1982 in video gaming|1982]]
| [[Yoshiki Okamoto]]
| ''[[Time Pilot]]''
| Endless open world
| [[Shoot 'em up video games|Shoot 'em up]]
|-
| [[Konami]]
| ''[[Tutankham]]''
| Scrolling dungeon exploration,<br />action game with dungeon exploration
| [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]],<br />[[Maze video games|Maze]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[1983 in video gaming|1983]]
| [[Yoshio Kiya]] <ref>[https://www.giantbomb.com/yoshio-kiya/3040-5470/ Yoshio Kiya] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref>
| ''[[Panorama Toh]]'' <ref>[https://www.giantbomb.com/panorama-toh/3030-45796/ Panorama Toh] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref>
| Open-world [[Action roleplaying video games|action RPG]],<br />[[Action roleplaying video games|Action RPG]] with overworld
| [[Action roleplaying video games|Action RPG]]
|-
| [[Yuji Horii]] <ref>[https://www.giantbomb.com/yuji-horii/3040-46276/ Yuji Horii] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref>
| ''[[Portopia Serial Murder Case]]'' <ref>[https://www.giantbomb.com/portopia-renzoku-satsujin-jiken/3030-28520/ Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref>
| Open-world [[adventure game]],<br />Open-world [[Immersive simulation video games|immersive simulation]]
| [[Adventure video games|Adventure game]],<br />[[Visual novel video games|visual novel]]
|-
|[[Data East]]
|[[W:c:dataeast:Boomer Rang'r|''Boomer Rang'r'']]
|Open-world action-adventure,<br />Fully-scaled on-foot open-world
|[[Action-adventure]]
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[1984 in video gaming|1984]]
| [[Namco]]
| ''[[The Tower of Druaga]]''
| [[Action RPG]] with dungeon exploration
| [[Action RPG]]
|-
|[[Data East]]
|''[[W:c:dataeast:Kamikaze Cabbie|Kamikaze Cabbie]]''
|Open-world driving video game,<br />fully-scaled open-world city
|[[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]],<br />[[Racing|Driving]]
|-
| [[Cosmos Computer]],<br />[[Tokihiro Naito]] <ref>[https://www.giantbomb.com/tokihiro-naito/3040-149911/ Tokihiro Naito] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref>
| ''[[Courageous Perseus]]'',<ref name="perseus"/><br />''[[Hydlide]]''
| Fully-scaled on-foot open-world
| [[Action RPG]]
|-
| [[Hiroshi Ishikawa]] <ref>[https://www.giantbomb.com/hiroshi-ishikawa/3040-46925/ Hiroshi Ishikawa] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref>
| ''[[Brain Breaker]]'' <ref>[https://www.giantbomb.com/brain-breaker/3030-13733/ Brain Breaker] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref>
| [[Side-scrolling]] open-world
| [[Metroidvania]]
|-
| [[Bandai]],<br />David Braben
| ''[[Ginga Hyōryū Vifam]]'',<ref>[https://www.giantbomb.com/gingahyoryu-vifam/3030-8915/ inga Hyōryū Vifam] at [[Giant Bomb]]</ref><br />''[[Elite]]''
| Open-world [[Space simulation video games|space simulator]]
| Space simulation
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[1985 in video gaming|1985]]
|[[SystemSoft Alpha|SystemSoft]]
|''[[Yūgeki-ō]]'' <ref name=":0" />
|[[Three-dimensional|3D]] open world,<br />3D [[First-person perspective video games|first-person]] open world
|[[Flight simulation video games|Flight sim]],<br />[[First-person shooter|FPS]]
|-
| Novagen Software
| ''[[Mercenary]]''
| Open-world with wireframe graphics
| [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]]
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[1986 in video gaming|1986]]
| [[Nintendo]]
| ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''
| Fully-scaled open-world [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]]
| [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]]
|-
| [[Nintendo]],<br />[[Konami]]
| ''[[Metroid]]'',<br />''[[Vampire Killer]]''
| [[Side-scrolling video games|Side-scrolling]] open-world
| [[Metroidvania]]
|-
| [[Arsys Software]]
| ''[[Wibarm]]''
| [[Three-dimensional|3D]] open-world,<br />[[Third-person perspective video games|third-person]] open-world
| [[Role-playing shooter]],<br />[[action RPG]]
|-
| [[Taito]],<br />[[Canvas]]
| ''[[Takeshi's Challenge]]'',<br />''[[Miami Vice]]''
| Open-world crime game
| [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]]
|-
| [[1988 in video gaming|1988]]
| [[Arsys Software]]
| ''[[Star Cruiser]]''
| [[Three-dimensional|Fully 3D]] open-world,<br />open-world [[role-playing shooter]]
| [[Role-playing shooter]],<br />[[First-person shooter|FPS]]
|-
| [[1989 in video gaming|1989]]
| [[Infogrames]]
| ''[[Drakkhen]]''
| [[Three-Dimensional|Vector Based 3D]] Fully-Scaled open-world, <br/>open-world [[role-playing game]]
| [[Action RPG]],<br />[[Real-time Strategy]]
|-
| [[1997 in video gaming|1997]]
| [[DMA Design]]
| ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]''
| Open-world crime game
| [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]]
|-
| [[1999 in video gaming|1999]]
| [[SEGA AM2]]
| ''[[Shenmue]]''
| 3D open-world adventure game
| [[Action video games|Action]]/[[Adventure video games|Adventure]]
|}

===Roots of open-world gaming===
The following diagram traces the roots and influences of various games involved in the history of open-world gaming.

[[File:Open world.png|800px]]

===Comparison of early titles===
The following table shows a list of early games that meet several or more of the criteria listed in the [[#Definition|Definition]] section above.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|+Criteria
|-
|bgcolor="red" style="text-align:center;"| &nbsp;
|Games that meet 3 or less of the criteria are not open-world games
|-
|bgcolor="yellow" style="text-align:center;"| &nbsp;
|Games that meet between 4 and 6 of the criteria are partially open-world games.
|-
|bgcolor="green" style="text-align:center;"| &nbsp;
|Games that meet 7 or 8 of the criteria are fully open-world games.
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto; margin:auto;;font-size:80%"
|-
! Year
! Game
! Criteria<br />met
! [[Electronic game|Electronic<br />game?]]
! Free<br />roaming?
! Outdoor<br />landscape?
! [[List of largest game worlds|Large<br />world?]]
! Fully<br />scaled?
! On<br />foot?
! [[Real-time|Real<br />time]]?
! [[Three-dimensional|3D<br />graphics]]?
|-
| c. 300 BCE
| ''[[Go]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| c. 400 CE
| ''[[Chess]]''
| align="center" {{No|3}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| [[1970s in video gaming|1970]]
| ''[[Jet Rocket]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| 1971
| ''[[Chainmail]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1974 in video gaming|1974]]
| ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Empire of the Petal Throne]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[1975 in video gaming|1975]]
| ''[[Star V]]'' <ref name=":1" />
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| ''[[Western Gun]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Interceptor]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| [[1976 in video gaming|1976]]
| ''[[Dungeon]]''
| align="center" {{No|3}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1977 in video gaming|1977]]
| ''[[Heli-Shooter]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| ''[[Colossal Cave Adventure]]''
| align="center" {{No|3}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1979 in video gaming|1979]]
| ''[[Heiankyo Alien]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Temple of Apshai]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[1980 in video gaming|1980]]
| ''[[Pac-Man]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Rally-X]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Adventure]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Flight Simulator]]''
| align="center" {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[1981 in video gaming|1981]]
| ''[[005]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Bosconian]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Ultima]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1982 in video gaming|1982]]
| ''[[Time Pilot]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Tutankham]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="7" | [[1983 in video gaming|1983]]
| ''[[Nobunaga's Ambition]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Panorama Toh]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Portopia Serial Murder Case]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| [[W:c:dataeast:Boomer Rang'r|''Boomer Rang'r'' (''Genesis'')]]
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Ant Attack]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Mountain King]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[The Hobbit]]''
| align="center" {{No|3}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="13" | [[1984 in video gaming|1984]]
| ''[[The Tower of Druaga]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[W:c:dataeast:Kamikaze Cabbie|Kamikaze Cabbie]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Courageous Perseus]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Hydlide]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Ginga Hyōryū Vifam]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Brain Breaker]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Atic Atac]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Elite]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[The Lords of Midnight]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Sabre Wulf]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[The Seven Cities of Gold]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Valhalla]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Zombie Zombie]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="8" | [[1985 in video gaming|1985]]
| ''[[Baraduke]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Riglas: Tamashii no Kaiki]]'' <ref>{{Cite book |last=Szczepaniak |first=John |year=2014 |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers |publisher=SMG Szczepaniak |volume=1 |page=7 |isbn=978-0-9929260-3-8 |quote=''Riglas: Tamashii no Kaiki'' – large free roaming RPG exclusive to Japanese computers, worth checking out}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONgCLA50qfU リグラス　－魂の回帰－for PC-8801 (1985)], [[YouTube]]</ref>
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Star Luster]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
|''[[Yūgeki-ō]]'' <ref name=":0" />
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| ''[[Alternate Reality: The City]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Back to Skool]]''
| {{Partial|4}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Mercenary]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="9" | [[1986 in video gaming|1986]]
| ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Dragon Quest]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Metroid]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Takeshi's Challenge]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Vampire Killer]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Wibarm]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|8}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| ''[[Miami Vice]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Starflight]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Turbo Esprit]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[1987 in video gaming|1987]]
| ''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Megami Tensei]]''
| {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Metal Gear]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Sid Meier's Pirates!]]''
| {{Partial|5}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| [[1988 in video gaming|1988]]
| ''[[Star Cruiser]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|8}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| [[1989 in video gaming|1989]]
| ''[[Drakkhen]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|8}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| [[1993 in video gaming|1993]]
| ''[[Cosmology of Kyoto]]''
| align="center" {{Partial|6}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| [[1996 in video gaming|1996]]
| ''[[Super Mario 64]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|8}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| [[1997 in video gaming|1997]]
| ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|7}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| [[1998 in video gaming|1998]]
| ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|8}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| [[1999 in video gaming|1999]]
| ''[[Shenmue]]''
| align="center" {{Yes|8}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|}

==See also==
* [[List of largest game worlds]]
* [[Non-linear]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Genres}}
[[Category:Genres]]