Agenda

In a role-playing game like The Outer Worlds 2, Points of Interest (POIs) are where worldbuilding, gameplay systems, and player progression intersect. This session breaks POI design down into four core aspects: worldbuilding, progression, spatial design, and navigation. It focuses on how aligning these elements creates readable, engaging spaces that evolve with the player, exploring each aspect through concrete production examples, from early ideas and iteration to the solutions that made them work.

Takeaway

Attendees will gain insight into the design considerations and iteration behind crafting Points of Interest that support narrative, gameplay, and player progression, ensuring each location meaningfully contributes to the player’s experience at different moments of play.

Intended Audience

This session is intended for level designers and game designers working on exploration-driven role-playing games. It may also be of interest to narrative and world designers collaborating on authored locations. No specialized knowledge is required, though a basic understanding of 3D space and player behavior will help attendees fully engage with the content.