{"id":84,"date":"2026-03-27T14:28:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T14:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/?p=84"},"modified":"2026-07-18T07:18:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T07:18:11","slug":"versailles-as-best-open-world-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/?p=84","title":{"rendered":"Versailles as best open world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"foo\">During my stay in Paris, I visited Versailles. As I walked through the park, the whole place struck me as a fantastic open world for a video game. I just couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about it, so here are my impressions and notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"t6qog104\">The tour began at the castle. The castle itself is enormous and serves as a sort of first location\u2014or even a first world. It has many hallways and rooms, and there\u2019s something interesting to explore in each one. You\u2019ll pass through some rooms just to get to a large hall with huge paintings. It\u2019s beautiful and fascinating. It also serves as a kind of introduction that draws you into the castle\u2019s entire story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"iwe2b1130\">Once you walk through the castle, you\u2019ll come to a large courtyard with an entrance to the gardens. It\u2019s a great place to relax, where you can enjoy various views of nearby landmarks as well as the beauty of nature in the distance. After you\u2019ve rested and decided where you want to go, you\u2019ll set off on a path that\u2019s almost like a maze. There are many paths to choose from. You can either follow the path guided by the interesting landmarks you see, or check the map and head straight for them. Either way, you\u2019ll reach your destination\u2014and you might even get lost along the way. That\u2019s one of the things that adds to the sense of a gaming experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5309-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5309-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5309-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5309-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5309-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5309-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"5l39h4136\"><em>Tip for EA. You can buy a vehicle here that will get you to your destination faster.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"f87ry4474\">This time, the destination is two small castles. Exploring them is a wonderful experience with plenty of interesting nooks and crannies. The spaces here are smaller, but just as interesting. Here, you\u2019ll learn more about where to go and what awaits you there. Progressing step by step and gathering information is typical of games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5487-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5487-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5487-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5487-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5487-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5487-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"p0yd07120\">The next\u2014and actually the final\u2014destination is a remote village. Getting there isn\u2019t exactly easy. It\u2019s easy to get lost along the way. Up until now, it\u2019s been more of a linear open world. Now it\u2019s a true open world. There are many interesting spots along the way that will tempt you off course. The paths are winding, there\u2019s plenty of nature, and so you often find yourself hoping the path will lead you to the right place. Often, even the map doesn\u2019t show exactly where you are. The village is pretty, though that depends on your perspective. After exploring the area, you can take a break here\u2014the journey ahead is a long one. Plus, it\u2019s easy to get lost and stumble upon an interesting greenhouse, other buildings, and spots that beautifully hint at where you need to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5536-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5536-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5536-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5536-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5536-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5536-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h8wd511399\">Take this spot, for example. It\u2019s absolutely clear that if you were playing a video game, this is the place you\u2019d want to visit. It\u2019s as if nothing else mattered. At that moment, everything else is hidden, and the most important thing is visible through some kind of opening. Unfortunately, I\u2019ve already visited this spot, but if you were coming from a different direction, it\u2019s a natural landmark that guides players to their destination. It\u2019s interesting how it came about so naturally here as well\u2014perhaps over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5553-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5553-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5553-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5553-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5553-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5553-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"wudqv14565\">On the way back, I chose a slightly different route, even though the destination was clear. Sometimes in games, we have to retrace our steps or take a very similar path. It\u2019s a form of emotional manipulation, but it can also reduce the demands on development. However, it\u2019s important to offer the player something along the way that will engage and entertain them; otherwise, the journey could feel like a mindless routine. Here, I came across an interesting spot along the way. However, it was surrounded by a fence. The gate was locked, and the area was inaccessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"wqux818801\">Should I look for a key somewhere? Or am I just too low-level? I\u2019d probably have to pitch a tent here and wait for it to unlock. But there\u2019s no time for that. And so, despite the many interesting places, I\u2019m missing out on this one and will have to come back another time. The journey thus ends right at the very beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"1f85u22022\">In game design, we don\u2019t invent anything new; rather, we primarily draw on how the real world works. We incorporate elements that are natural and recognizable to people into the game so that players know which way to go. These are things created naturally by nature or by human hands to help us find our way and not get lost in the real world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During my stay in Paris, I visited Versailles. As I walked through the park, the whole place struck me as a fantastic open world for a video game. I just couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about it, so here are my impressions and notes. The tour began at the castle. The castle itself is enormous and serves [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":91,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en"],"blocksy_meta":{"background":{"background_type":"color","background_pattern":"type-1","background_image":{"attachment_id":null,"x":0,"y":0},"gradient":"linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%)","background_repeat":"repeat","background_size":"auto","background_attachment":"scroll","patternColor":{"default":{"color":"#e5e7ea"}},"overlayColor":{"default":{"color":"CT_CSS_SKIP_RULE"}},"backgroundColor":{"default":{"color":"#010101"}}},"has_hero_section":"enabled","hero_elements":[{"id":"custom_title","enabled":true,"heading_tag":"h1","title":"Home","__id":"fQcSipqvyGnbRuFmwWDuy"},{"id":"custom_description","enabled":false,"description_visibility":{"desktop":true,"tablet":true,"mobile":false},"__id":"db31TMDV13d2TlCERorrS"},{"id":"custom_meta","enabled":false,"meta_elements":[{"id":"author","enabled":true,"label":"By","has_author_avatar":"yes","avatar_size":25},{"id":"post_date","enabled":true,"label":"On","date_format_source":"default","date_format":"M j, Y"},{"id":"updated_date","enabled":false,"label":"On","date_format_source":"default","date_format":"M j, Y"},{"id":"categories","enabled":true,"label":"In","style":"simple"},{"id":"comments","enabled":true}],"page_meta_elements":{"joined":true,"articles_count":true,"comments":true},"__id":"nl3JYcW6JRYA_PjhcNO5q"},{"id":"breadcrumbs","enabled":false,"__id":"B9-_n0mgU3pRdpglw8w6r"}],"hero_section":"type-2","pageTitleFontColor":{"default":{"color":"#ffffff"}},"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"[data-prefix=\"single_blog_post\"] .entry-header .page-title {--theme-font-size:30px;--theme-heading-color:#ffffff;} [data-prefix=\"single_blog_post\"] .entry-header .entry-meta {--theme-font-weight:600;--theme-text-transform:uppercase;--theme-font-size:12px;--theme-line-height:1.3;} [data-prefix=\"single_blog_post\"] .hero-section[data-type=\"type-2\"] {background-color:rgba(247, 247, 247, 0);background-image:none;--container-padding:50px 0px;} [data-prefix=\"single_blog_post\"] {background-color:#010101;background-image:none;}","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":7},"pageTitleBackground":{"background_type":"color","background_pattern":"type-1","background_image":{"attachment_id":null,"x":0,"y":0},"gradient":"linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%)","background_repeat":"repeat","background_size":"auto","background_attachment":"scroll","patternColor":{"default":{"color":"#e5e7ea"}},"overlayColor":{"default":{"color":"CT_CSS_SKIP_RULE"}},"backgroundColor":{"default":{"color":"rgba(247, 247, 247, 0)"}}}},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5167-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5167-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5167-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5167-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5167-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5167-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5167-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"vtkovar","author_link":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"During my stay in Paris, I visited Versailles. As I walked through the park, the whole place struck me as a fantastic open world for a video game. I just couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about it, so here are my impressions and notes. The tour began at the castle. The castle itself is enormous and serves&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=84"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":251,"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84\/revisions\/251"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/91"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=84"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=84"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vojtechkovar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=84"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}