How are maps used in video and tabletop games?

In our new series, we sat down with Joceline, our UI/UX designer, and Griselda, our multimedia designer, to nerd out about maps and games!

What games do you play?

G: Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) — Dungeon Masters (DMs) will create their own maps based on stories that they create; a strategic and storytelling device. I also like to play strategy and tactics games; there’s Fire Emblem and Etrian Odyssey.

J: I mostly play console games like PS4; generally I prefer open-world games.

Can you explain how maps are used in the various game formats that you’ve mentioned?

J: In open-world games, you’re free to explore and choose your own quests. Like you can also fast travel to different parts of the world via a map. But there’s a balance. In some games, you can only teleport when you see a sign on the road, or on a notice board. You can’t just teleport straight to another part of the map because it breaks the immersion a little. Unfortunately it’s like that for Final Fantasy XV. You can open the menu and say you want to move to this city, and a car will be waiting for you. Then a loading scene appears and you’ll be transported to the city. Red Dead Redemption 2 does this well. You can only teleport via a map when you’re in your base camp. Otherwise, you can’t just open the menu and jump to another place.