Highlights
- User-generated content adds a wonderful element of customization to open-world games like Skyrim, allowing players to enhance and personalize their gameplay experience.
- User-generated content in Cyberpunk 2077 has changed the way players explore the open world, with new storylines, small quality-of-life changes, and technical tweaks created by fans.
- InFamous 2 allows players to share and create their own missions, adding fun mini-games and homages to other series, making the game more enjoyable and engaging for the community.
Nowadays, open-world games are a hot commodity in the video game market. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Baldur's Gate 3 stun both critics and audiences alike with their vast worlds for players to explore. However, few open-world games allow for content that comes directly from the minds of these players.
Open World Games That Have No Combat
Favor the pacifist routes in your open-world games? There's no other way with these particular titles, as they have no combat mechanics.
User-generated content, or UGC, can consist of customized maps, character skins, or mods that enhance and personalize each individual player's gameplay experience. Few open-world games allow for this kind of player-to-game interaction, but the ones that do, such as these six titles, are the ones that remain some of the most memorable for years to come. It adds a wonderful element of customization to proceedings.
6 Skyrim
The Steam Workshop Has Been Busy
Few individual games have had the longevity of Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Originally released in 2011, it has been ported to numerous generations of consoles, as well as re-releases for VR headsets and portable consoles like the Nintendo Switch. Skyrim also contains one of the most active modding communities in the world of video games.
The modding of Skyrim began with Bethesda's collaboration with Valve, including the Space Core from Portal 2 as an interactive NPC in the game. Since then, individual modders have done incredible things with Skyrim, from improved combat to entirely new creatures. Some programmers were even hired by Bethesda to work on future projects.
5 Cyberpunk 2077
Leave It To Players To Bug-Test Your Game
Cyberpunk 2077
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox One , Stadia , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
Cyberpunk 2077 will likely be remembered as one of the most highly-anticipated games of the 2020s, considering its eight-year development period. Despite being released with an array of technical issues that may have dampened the experience in some cases, the game has vastly improved and remains popular, with user-generated content changing the way players explore this open world.
Cyberpunk 2077: Great Weapon Mods You Need To Try
With Cyberpunk 2077 all patched up and DLC on the way, fans are excited to jump back in. Adding these weapon mods can only add to the excitement.
Among the many mods that exist for Cyberpunk 2077 are new storylines, vehicle decals, and small quality-of-life changes that make it more palatable for certain fans. Some of the changes users have made to Cyberpunk 2077 even make technical tweaks to the core experience, making player-generated content almost necessary for this game.
4 InFamous 2
This Online Community Is Shocking
As a follow-up to 2009's InFamous, InFamous 2 was ahead of its time for an open-world game released in 2011. In the game, players control Cole, a man with electric superpowers navigating the city of New Marais. While there are no online co-op modes as there often are in current open world titles, InFamous 2 does allow for sharing of user-generated content.
In particular, players could create their own missions and share them with others via PlayStation Network. Many fans have taken this opportunity to add fun mini-games to Infamous 2, such as rounds of skeeball, obstacle courses, and even some homages to other series and games like Uncharted or Shadow of the Colossus (complete with new boss battles).
3 Far Cry 5
Reach Into Ubisoft's Back Catalog
The Far Cry series is among the most popular in the open-world realm, but Far Cry 5 stands above the rest due to its player-generated content (and adorable array of companions). The game not only allows for co-op and multiplayer online gameplay, but it includes a map maker which can be shared online. The really intriguing thing is that the potential assets that can be used aren't just limited to those from this Far Cry installment.
5 Video Game Trilogies In Need Of A Remaster
These classic trilogies either haven't seen a new title in years, or have changed their original formula, opening the door for a remaster collection.
Thanks to Far Cry 5 being developed by Ubisoft, the map-maker also includes DLC assets from previous Far Cry games, as well as other Ubisoft titles like Watch Dogs and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. The mapmaker might not allow for maps as expansive as the ones in the actual game, but it's a fun way to shake up online play with your friends.
2 Roblox
You Are In Control Of The Open World
Roblox being labeled as an open-world game might be considered stretching the term, but in all fairness, the experience consists of many user-created open-world games that allow for experiences that rival AAA open-world titles. Some of the most accomplished Roblox creators have even used the game creation system to make full RPG adventures on a grand scale.
Few games allow younger players the same level of freedom and limitless possibilities as Roblox does, whether it's through creating your own open worlds or playing as your own customizable character. Either way, Roblox is very unique, letting its user-generated content serve as the video game itself and allowing fans to craft just the experience they want.
1 Minecraft
Creative Mode Has Never Been So Creative
Minecraft
In the history of video games, few have become such a pop culture phenomenon as Minecraft. Originally released independently by Mojang, it has since become one of the best-selling video games of all time, with ports on consoles, handheld devices, and smartphones allowing players to create their own private, expansive maps.
While most of the maps in Minecraft are randomly and procedurally generated, the game's two modes (Survival and Creative) offer completely different experiences. If the in-game content isn't enough for you to get creative with, there are plenty of options to mod the game and give yourself literally limitless potential in making your open world map your own home. The whole universe is your playroom in this creative title.
Minecraft: How to Change Your Skin
Want to change your appearance in Minecraft so you can look even more stylish? Learn how to link your new skin to the profile with this quick guide.
