FPS has been the dominant genre this generation.  There is questiosn about what is next.  I am wondering if it will be open-world.  I would want to get input on this and see what other think, and list below the reasons why I am seeing this:

* Next generation, Microsoft and Sony are set to have a big boost in memory in their machines, which means larger levels, and likely much larger levels.

* Open-world games are a natural for DLC, and extensions.  Considering the state of game budgets these days, the only way a shop really can stay in business is to have a game that they can sell content for.  MMO model isn't proving to be the miracle, with the push towards micropayment everything, so it makes sense to goback to single-player and multiplayer fused together experiences.

* Look at the titles today that are coming out, there is a strong push open world everywhere.  Next Bungie game, Destiny, sounds open-world to me from what I have seen, and there are many others also.  Heck, even Japan is doing open-world with their RPGs at this point, with Dragon's Dogma as an example.

So, anyone else see this as the next big genre?  In short, AAA tiles are going to have to end up being open-world experiences, with room for selling tons of DLC, in order to get green lit?  So, we will have top titles just being open-world, with less outright linearity and scripted events driving them/?

I do think so, it sure seems like it with the Watchdogs project getting more funding due to its open-world nature.

That would be sweet :p

open world take much longer to develop than FPS.

IMO it will be the hybridization of 3 genres: FPS, Sandbox and RPG. Developers will try and cash in on them, some will succeed (Borderlands is a good example) some wont (Crysis probably wont be a sustainable franchise long enough).

I'm not a big fan of completely open games like GTA so I hope it doesn't take over all genres. I like sandbox elements like in the Halo games, but I don't want directionless gameplay. Mass Effect is a great example of the semi-open gameplay I prefer. You can explore and do things in the order you want and make lots of choices, but when the shooting starts it's an expertly passed directed experience.

It's hard to say it's the next big genre when it's already big. GTA was one of the biggest games of the PS2 era. Batman, AC and others already use it to some extent today. Open world is a lot of fun because it makes you feel like you are truly in control as a gamer. I think more games will incorporate it. Expect the next Zelda to be very open world, as well as Monolith's X. Watch_Dogs and Detiny will be too. So you will see open-world rpgs, open-world adventures, open-world platformers and open-world FPS. An open world 3D Mario could be pretty cool.

I guess I wouldn't call open-world (or Sandbox) games to be the next big genre, but I would say that most genres will incorporate open-world elements because it is fun, it sells well and it is becoming technically easier.

If you mean; is it the next "genre" to be inflated with half-assed attempts, gimmicks, bleak copies, "broad audience appeal" and Hollywood effects paired with poor writing and creative ability, then the answer is yes.
A loud and resounding yes.

Sandbox is a type of open world, usually defined by manipulation and building, like Minecraft.  GTA is said to be sandbox, but there is a lack of deforming of terrain, so I went Open World.  I would also say likely to see more watered down RPG elements also in there to, stat-building, etc...

And I would ask in regards to this that the trend will be almost all games, irregardless the time period, world, etc... will have explore the world elements to it, where players have freedom to craft how they play, and it will look more and more like what we think of as an RPG.  Well, at least on the top end, and games are going to have to have this, if big budget, or they won't end up get the sales.

Open world doesn't necessarily mean GTA.  It can mean a lot of things, like Forza Horizon, or even arguably Assassin's Creed.  I could argue Mass Effect would fit into this.  What doesn't fit in this is linear driven games with a tight path from one set piece to another.  Isn't this what Final Fantasy XIII was/is?

No.