I know, that's probably the old man talking, but it seems like so many MMOs these days are just too "dense." Wide-open areas are nonexistant
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Did you ever hear about Vanguard's "Concentric Circle" map design? http://www.gamespot.com/articles/vanguard-saga-of-heroes-hands-on-combat-crafting-dying-and-leveling-up/1100-6144313/ … (ctrl+f "concentric")
Although the article says "from the starting areas". IIRC it was from "safer" places. Major towns, etc.