Progression · mobile games
Saga map
A level map that shows the whole path of levels as a winding trail, with the player's position and what is coming next.
Also called: world map, adventure map, level path
A saga map is a level select screen drawn as a path or a world. Each level is a node on the trail, the next one is open, and later ones are locked or partly hidden. Landmarks along the way mark milestones such as boss levels, chests or new regions.
It turns a list of levels into a journey. Seeing the path ahead gives a sense of progress, and the next node is always one tap away, which keeps starting the next session simple.
The map is also where games place things around the core loop: event banners, chest rewards, friend avatars and shop buttons. That makes it a busy screen in many puzzle games.
In mobile games
Saga maps suit level-based casual games such as puzzle and match games. The map usually works as the home screen between levels, with a large play button for the current node.
What to watch for
- Gating progress behind long waits, tasks or payments at a node. A player who gets stuck on the map sees the wall before the game.
- Overloading the map. When event banners, offers and buttons compete with the path, players can lose track of the thing the map is for.
