Cost-Effective Immersion: Motivation-Driven Perceptual Design for Open-World Games
Jie Zheng, Jun He · 2025
Open-world games frequently suffer from player perceptions of maps as "empty" despite large physical scales. This study examines how exploration motivation types (task-driven vs. free exploration) influence perceived map size. Using participant observation (N=12) and focus groups (N=18), we analyzed behavior in the densely designed Elden Ring and sparsely designed Far Cry 6. Findings highlight three perception modulators: (1) Task density inversely correlates with perceived scale; (2) Environmental storytelling, such as hidden lore, amplifies spatial awareness; (3) Movement constraints, including delayed fast travel, create artificial compression. We propose the Motivation-Perception Model, where perceived scale (Sp) is nonlinearly shaped by motivation intensity (Mi), environmental narrative density (Ed), and locomotion freedom (Lc). Results challenge the industry's obsession with physical size, demonstrating that aligning motivation with design context enhances perceived richness through strategies like adaptive task algorithms and phased mobility unlocks. This work integrates spatial cognition and self-determination theory to prioritize psychological engagement over costly map expansion.