• Mathew panth
• Kuntal ghose

The structure of a video game plays a critical role in shaping player experience, narrative delivery, and development complexity. Two dominant design approaches in contemporary game development are open world and linear game design. Open world games emphasize player freedom, exploration, and emergent gameplay, while linear games focus on controlled progression, pacing, and storytelling. This paper compares both approaches from the perspectives of player experience, narrative effectiveness, and production challenges. It also discusses current industry viewpoints and identifies research gaps related to hybrid design models.

Straight path Fixed levels Guided gameplay Story focused One direction Chapters Limited movement Scripted events Controlled design Short maps Clear goals Less choice Cinematic Structured Step-by-step

"Open World vs Linear Game Design ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 2, page no.b507-b508, February-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2602170.pdf

"Open World vs Linear Game Design ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 2, page no. ppb507-b508, February-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2602170.pdf