I'm all for upping the density in any given area or scattered through the entire wasteland, but let's say I'm at one end of the map and need to get to the opposite side -- sure there's a lot to take in getting there, but if I want to skip all of that for now, it would still seem bigger if it wasn't lacking in square mileage. Bethesda just has to make the proper balance of the entire world. I don't mind if a few of the cells are quite barren as long as it seems realistic even if there was just one shack or one swingset. I thought anyone talking about size would be thinking of stretch of the land, not the content. I'm quite positive the content will be plenty and varied. A larger world space wouldn't make it all feel crammed together at the same time.

Going back to the example of Minecraft maps on the new generation of consoles, I'm sure that on top of everything else the overall map size will be a lot bigger. Travelling from one side of the map to the other should feel like an actual journey, where we follow certain landmarks, avoid hazardous areas, and even stop off a few times to re-supply along the way.

Completely agree there. Oblivion had the largest playable area of the previous three titles but it didn't feel that way. Density is everything and i think they hit the sweet spot with Skyrim.

Hmm, well I think it'd be a lot denser than Skyrim, but might not be that bigger. I'd hope so, but I wouldn't be totally disappointed by it, either. Even with the increase of RAM, we still might not see a larger world space since it would be put to use on larger textures, better animations, heavier scripts and more NPC's. Since all that is happening and the attention to detail is much more than we've previously seen, if they had a much larger world I'd be impressed. You bring up an interesting point, though. The map could be larger indeed, but have its own blocked off areas like Skyrim while having all its traversable areas with about the same amount of all the cells in Skyrim.

One thing that seems fairly clear is that we start off in the general area of the Minute Man National Historical Park just North of Concord. Considering the fact that everything from the vault, through to Sanctuary Hills, the Garage, and then the Museum of Freedom pretty much runs in a South-Easterly Direction, I wouldn't be too surprised if this starting area represents somewhere near the top left 'corner' of the map.

so you think the start area of the map be like if you started in jacostown in FNV? or ruby hill mine ? almost everything will a south or east direction?

More easterly as the crow flies. If the bomb drop site simulation is accurate the glowing sea may prevent entry to the south at least initially for less experienced players. It also allows the story to drift naturally across the map in a back and forth pattern. Especially if some critical missions are in the glowing sea.

I agree. Witcher was huge and I enjoyed the open space but didn't have as much to it as the smaller FO3 map did pound per pound. Still I am hoping for an increase in size. New Vegas seemed tiny and constrained compared to either. Skyrim and FO3 seemed pretty big because of all there was to do and the way the world was set up . That being said, I would mind some quality quest writing like we saw in some of witcher's stuff.

As discussed in the E3 presentation, it's definitely one of the largest/densest worlds BGS has done.

You're going to need a new avatar soon, Gstaff.

I'm guessing this means at least as big as Skyrim or Fallout 3 in terms of physical size, and much much more detailed across the entire map.

As for your avatar, I think the whole 'NFL meets Dovahkiin' thing is what keeps us all on our toes!

I wish you had put my name in who you were quoting so I can cherish the Notification from Gstaff forever and definitely ever.

That settles it then. Taking what you say at face value even with the helmet covering your face, that pretty much confirms a realistically believable world in scale.

My Body Is Wasteland.

I don't know how this compares with previous maps, but in real terms, the distance from the Minute Man National Historical Park to the edge of Logan International is almost exactly 20 miles. Considering both of these locations are pretty much confirmed, I would say that the map is going to be fairly huge. As for scale, I think it is likely be a lot more 'realistic' than Fallout 3 with a ton more detail.

Depending on how many bombs actually fell as to whats actualy around and how built up the area is. we realy can not go by modern maps that well for where things are

If we do start at the corner of the map as opposed to somewhere near the middle like most BGS games, I think it will help in keeping the discoveries of the wasteland fresh instead of having to come back to the middle of the map where you began just to discover the "other side". It's essentially all the same even if part of it is an illusion. I really think the verticality will amplify the realism more than the actual scale of the map. So wait, now the wasteland isn't all flat and we can climb atop buildings and climb down into digging sites? I'm really glad with their decision on this and I hope it pays off. It's more than just the elevation of hills, it's about the construction built around it as well.

Just wait until we get our hands on proper underwater exploration! If I'm right, and we are given a large portion of Boston Harbor (aka the http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1526246-the-glowing-sea) to explore, then the scale of this is going to be truly mind-blowing.

http://www.aerialarchives.com/Historical-Aerials-Massachusetts.htm

and

http://bostonography.com/2010/kevin-lynch-the-imageable-boston/

Very interesting links! Will have to check these out in some detail

also


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Boston#/media/File:Boston_annexations_1880.jpg


and

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Boston#/media/File:Boston_area_colonial_map.jpg

Large parts of Boston are actualy landfill... and there was a report I was looking at that indicates some of that landfill is at risk of subsidance even now.

Im suspecting that if so the Radioactive sea may be a giant sinkhole/(sorry for useing multiple posts for some reason every time I update the post vanishes)

Well, my own http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1526246-the-glowing-sea (one of many, I know. I can't help it lol!!!) is that the Glowing Sea is actually Boston Harbor. But your suggestion of a giant sinkhole is very interesting. This could partially explain some of the 'swamp' areas we have seen in concept art. A sinkhole could certainly have been caused by one of the land-based blasts, perhaps with a little help from a few 'radiation storms' that have blown in-land.

One of bostons power plants is located in one of the areas, and they were looking into injecting grout to stabelise the sight around that plant, if Bethesda was aware of that,changed the plant from oil to a nuke....

Then we could, as you suggested, end up with a giant sinkhole to explore! Where is the power plant located?

For those who don't know, dumping a hot reactor core into an open air basin of limestone and seawater? Not something you want to be within 10 miles of.

One was mystic in Charlston, they did the grouting injectin prior to construction, another was decomitioned early and then torn down in the late 60s before they knew about the possible subsidance issue. Newtons Crystal lake is also an area listed and nearby is one of the old Edison power stations.(decomitioned but still a historic structure) ,

Incidentally the old Watertown arsenal? There was some confusion about if it was also a problem sight ( aparently it was not) but it did actualy have a research reactor. . . .