Assassin’s Creed 3 and Far Cry 4 director has a simple recipe for making a game’s open world delightful. Two elements are key

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There’s a surge in popularity for expansive open-world games, but I sense a hint of gameplay exhaustion with this genre lately. Crafting an entertaining and immersive experience within this framework is no small feat, yet one seasoned Ubisoft developer appears to have a reliable approach. He emphasizes two key aspects: relevant humor and maintaining player interest as crucial elements.

Recipe for successful open worlds

Alex Hutchinson previously held the position of creative director for two significant open-world games at Ubisoft: Assassin’s Creed 3 and Far Cry 4, which he worked on between the years 2010-2018. Nowadays, he is employed at Raccoon Logic studio, a company he helped establish.

During an interview with Edge magazine (as reported by Gamesradar+), he highlighted two key aspects, in his viewpoint, for crafting a successful open-world game. He emphasized on incorporating a distinctive, humorous touch and allowing players some degree of influence over the storyline. This world should be designed with a satirical twist, and the experiences players undergo – odd and resulting in over-the-top outcomes.

In open-world games, if you let go of the notion that events unfold according to a predetermined schedule, and instead consider the player as the one controlling the timing, it can feel like a series of comedic or humorous situations, much like slapstick comedy. This makes the game experience entertaining again due to its interactive, comedic nature.

It appears that Hutchinson’s perspective on open-world gaming involves embracing a certain degree of unpredictability, which he sees as stemming from the interplay of different game systems.

Interacting with players often leads to unexpected scenarios, making them feel like they’re writing the story themselves, and these unforgettable moments linger in their memories for a long time. To keep things engaging and shareable, a touch of spontaneity and humor is encouraged, creating possibilities for future sharing on platforms like YouTube and social media.

From another perspective, it’s clear that different individuals have varying preferences when it comes to playing styles. What Hutchinson suggests might be correct, but it’s unlikely to serve as a one-size-fits-all formula for triumph.

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2025-07-15 10:32