>>725154891
That’s objectively false.

Open world refers to games that exist in a singular, non-linear loading zone that give you the ability to go wherever you want with little to no restrictions.

Defining it as “arbitrary space between objectives” gives room to put basically any 3D game that isn’t a linear hallway into that category.

>>725155050
The only true open world games they’ve made in the last decade are Xenoblade X, BotW, TotK, Pokemon SV, and Mario Kart World.

6 games out of the dozens they’ve released in that timeframe is definitely a trend, but I wouldn’t call it an overwhelming push or even a forced move. It’s really not that much.

Some series have even gone back to segmented exploration after releasing an open world entry (see Xenoblade 2/3 and Zelda Echoes of Wisdom). I don’t think it’s some kind of mandate.