Experiences on mobile devices that offer expansive, explorable digital environments fall into this category. Players are typically granted a high degree of freedom in how they navigate the virtual space and interact with the simulated world. A practical example would be a role-playing game set in a vast, persistent fantasy realm accessible on a smartphone or tablet, allowing users to complete quests, interact with non-player characters, and discover hidden locations at their own pace.
The appeal of these interactive environments stems from their ability to provide immersive and engaging entertainment on readily accessible devices. Their growth is attributed to advancements in mobile processing power and graphics capabilities, coupled with the increasing prevalence of high-bandwidth mobile internet connectivity. This has resulted in a wider audience having the capability to engage with richer, more complex virtual worlds without needing dedicated gaming hardware. Historically, these types of titles were primarily confined to personal computers and consoles, but now represent a significant portion of the mobile gaming landscape.