What's the Difference Between Linear and Nonlinear Video Games?
What's the Difference Between Linear and Nonlinear Video Games?
What's the Difference Between Linear and Nonlinear Video Games?
December 13, 2021
By Soham De
Summary
Within this realm of video game design lies the concept of linear games and nonlinear games.
Games like the Uncharted series, most Call of Duty or Battlefield single-player campaigns, and Dead Space are examples of linear games.
Open world games are a type of nonlinear game that gives the player freedom to complete objectives in whatever order they choose.
Within open world games are sandbox games, like Minecraft or GTA. Though you might have objectives to complete, these games give you a bunch of different elements and basically let you make your own fun, like playing in a real life sandbox.
Games can incorporate both linear and nonlinear elements in different parts of their design.
So that's linear games, nonlinear games, and everything in between!
Though it doesn't matter as long as you're having fun, you may appreciate games that make the most out of their linear or nonlinear design, as well as games that effectively juggle both.
Reference
De, S. (2021, December 13). What's the difference between linear and nonlinear video games? Retrieved February 10, 2022, from https://www.makeuseof.com/linear-non-linear-video-game-differences/