Gone are the days when video games were just about dodging pixelated barrels or bouncing a digital ball across the screen. Oh, how far we’ve come from the Pong era! Today, we’re talking about gaming worlds so vast they could swallow our daily realities whole. The size of these game maps is mind-boggling — we measure in terabytes on hard drives and miles (or kilometres for our friends outside the USA) in virtual geography. So, brace yourselves — here come the 5 biggest video game maps.
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The 5 Biggest Video Game Maps
Just a heads-up: This list might get outdated faster than you can say “New release”. Why? Because the race to create the biggest, baddest, most jaw-droppingly huge video game maps is relentless. It’s like the Wild West out there, but in pixels and square miles.
Let’s cut to the chase and talk about the biggest video game maps.
5. Atlas
Size: 27.962 square miles – 72.421 square kilometres
Sliding into number five on our list of the biggest video game maps is Atlas. Picture an MMORPG with a Sea of Thieves vibe, chock-full of pirates, treasure, and endless seas to conquer. Released in 2018, Atlas is still hanging out in early access land, but don’t let its “Work-in-progress” status fool you — the map is massive.
We’re talking a 15×15 grid here, adding up to 225 regions, not to mention 568 islands waiting for your pirate flag. There’s a hero on Reddit — clearly a big fan of both the game and gigantic maps — who swam across this entire virtual ocean in 32 hours. Now that’s dedication!
So, if pirates, MMORPGs, and mega maps float your boat, Atlas might just be your next game. Fair warning, though: The gameplay can be a bit glitchy, and combat mechanics might make you raise an eyebrow now and then. But hey, there’s a boatload of fun to be had, and isn’t that what really counts?
Release Date: December 22, 2018 (Early Access)
Developer: Grapeshot Games
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4. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
Size: 80.823 square miles – 209.330 square kilometres
Bethesda Game Studios has been a household name for gamers for decades. It’s no shock that they’ve got not one, but two titles on our biggest video game maps list. And remember, these games are almost three decades apart.
Coming in at number four is a gem from 1996, still hailed for having one of the most expansive maps in gaming history. Imagine a game map the size of Great Britain — that’s The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall for you. Its scale is nothing short of staggering, taking roughly 70 hours to traverse on foot. Sure, it’s got its share of Bethesda-esque bugs, but that’s part of the charm, right?
Daggerfall, the second chapter in the celebrated The Elder Scrolls saga, originally graced the world of MS-DOS. If the idea of exploring the vastness of Tamriel in this retro classic piques your interest, you’re in luck — it’s available for free on Steam.
The game’s storyline is as captivating as its map is extensive. You’re looking at about 30 hours to complete the main plot, but if you’re the type who loves to tackle every side quest, prepare to invest over 250 hours into this pixelated world of adventure.
Release Date: September 20, 1996
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
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3. Microsoft Flight Simulator
Size: 197 million square miles – 510.227 million square kilometres
Diving in at number three on our biggest video game maps list is none other than Microsoft Flight Simulator. Prepare to have your mind blown — the map size is huge. That’s right, when you’re recreating the entire world in a video game, you’re talking about some serious map volume. You’d think this game would be higher up on the list, but wait till you see the top two contenders.
So, what makes Microsoft Flight Simulator so colossal? It mirrors our planet, using topographical data from Bing Maps and AI generation to create stunningly realistic landscapes. With additional DLCs and content packs, places like New York and Paris are a sight to behold.
Want a virtual fly-by over your hometown? You can do that, though keep in mind — you might spot some outdated scenery, like old constructions or unbuilt areas. That’s because the game’s Bing Maps data isn’t always as current as, say, Google Maps.
But Microsoft Flight Simulator is more than just an extensive map. It’s a haven for simulator fans, aviation buffs, and budding pilots. The sheer scale of the map means no two flights are ever the same. Plus, with real-time weather and flight data integrated into the game, every journey through the skies offers a new, thrilling experience.
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Developer: Asobo Studio
Related: Will Microsoft Flight Simulator Come to PS5?
2. Starfield
Size: 1.000.000 square miles – 2.510.227 square kilometres
Bethesda Game Studios strikes again on our list of the biggest video game maps, this time with Starfield clinching the second spot. This space exploration game is an astronomical feat with a thousand planets across a hundred star systems.
While the exact dimensions of Starfield’s map are a bit of a cosmic mystery, estimates peg it at around 1,000,000 square miles or roughly 2589988.11 square kilometres. Coming from the masterminds behind Skyrim and Fallout, you just know it’s packed with an epic storyline and a galaxy’s worth of worlds to discover.
Starfield’s universe is a mix of handcrafted and procedurally generated planets. Sure, some of these procedurally generated planets might seem a bit barren at first glance. Still, you have hundreds of meticulously designed worlds that either push the story forward or are treasure troves of useful items.
Release Date: September 6, 2023
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
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1. Elite Dangerous
Size: 13.8 cubic lightyears
Starting off as a Kickstarter sensation, Elite Dangerous flew right to the top of our biggest video game maps list, bagging the title of the largest video game map ever created. Hold onto your seats because this game has a mind-boggling 400,000,000,000 star system. Yes, that’s four hundred billion. It offers a 1:1 scale model of the Milky Way.
But Elite Dangerous isn’t just about its cosmic scale. This MMORPG blends space exploration with a trade simulation, where players’ actions directly influence the unfolding narrative of the universe. With around 180 thousand daily players, it’s clear this game has a thriving community.
Players aren’t just exploring the vast reaches of space — they’re part of a living, breathing galaxy where every decision shapes the cosmos.
Release Date: April 2, 2015
Developer: Frontier Developments
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Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looting, exploring, meditating, or even dozing off (Yes, we’ve all been there, controller in hand, eyelids heavy), these pixelated worlds offer freedom like no other.
Minecraft can be here, too, but it has a different kind of technique for the maps it using. So, that’s all for the five biggest video game maps out there.
From checking out your own house in Microsoft Flight Simulator to charting unknown territories in Starfield or Elite Dangerous, these games promise not just hours but days of adventure and discovery.
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- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.