What exactly is the point of an overworld map and how do I use one in my project?

[jokersleuth]

So I'm new to the concept of an "overworld map" and never used one before in my old projects, but I feel like It would be a nice addition to my future projects. What exactly is the point of an overworld map and how do I incorporate and use one in my projects? What's the difference between using separate maps for each areas versus having a large overworld map?

 

[Shaz]

You would still have separate maps for each area, but the world map gives a nice way of joining the areas together, letting the player get a bit of a better view of how they all sit together.  Some people make HUGE world maps and have gameplay on it as well, so they DON'T have to have individual maps for each area - I like them better when they're just transitions and not much more

Don't add one unless you think you need it.  If you don't know what one is and what it will add to your game, what's the point of having one?

Play a few games that use them, see how they're used in each one, and then decide whether you should have one.

 

[jokersleuth]

Do you have any examples of RM games that have overworld maps? I would like to try them and see how it fits

 

[Crimson Dragon Inc.]

um no example of an rm game, but popular games released like the final fantasy series, implement an overworld map

 

[byronclaude]

There are advantages and disadvantages to both scenarios.  My current project utilizes a world map, to give it a kind of final fantasy, dragon warrior, breath of fire feel.

My next project I think may not have one though.  I think the main difference, is a question of:  how much scope do you want your player to have early in the game?"  If you want your player to get an initial idea of the scope (or size) of the game, use a world map possibly.  If you want a more elusive, or realistic approach, do not have a world map...  or use only a referenced world map (an image that shows a would-be world map that they can access on a limited basis).

 

[Dungeonmind]

A world map is used to give your world a sense of order. One benefit to an overworld is Random Encounters. They look much better in a world that looks zoomed out. I always have encounters on a world map and enemies actually chasing you in dungeons. This is to create that zoom in, zoom out feeling. It's also always nice to see a cute little village and walk on it to be transferred and surprised at how nicely put together that village is on the inside and how many NPC's available for quests there are. It's mostly just a classic thing that classic RPGs incorporate into a game. I wish you the best of luck and PS: Games with overworlds rock!

 

[Andar]

The main reason for a world map was always the fast travel - allowing a player to get from one point to another without having to walk through all section maps between them.


Everything else is just a question of game style - some games limit their random encounters to the world map, others have the random encounters only on the section maps and the world map battle free and so on.