"The Lighthouse Effect used in games is not the socio-economic Lighthouse Effect; it is more visualized. Just as the name suggests, it is like a lighthouse in the vast sea, guiding the direction for lost ships."
"In linear games, the presence of the Lighthouse Effect is not important, as many times NPCs, quests, item rewards, and various other things can guide players forward."
"But open-world games provide players with a higher degree of freedom, and how to help players establish goals out of confusion is very important."
"Let's take a simple example. In 'Elden Ring,' there's a most obvious Lighthouse Effect—the Golden Tree."
"Standing at the crossroads, the Golden Tree, unless you are in the underground world, can be seen from any angle. It is like a guiding light for players, leading them towards the base of the tree no matter where they go."
