500-meter - Games

In game design, the 500-meter concept often refers to a critical engagement or visibility range that balances tactical depth with player comprehension. It serves as a psychological and mechanical threshold where long-range planning transitions to immediate action, commonly seen in shooters, survival games, and open-world titles. This distance can symbolize the boundary between safety and danger, or exploration and confrontation, forcing players to make strategic decisions about movement, resource use, and combat approach. It subtly shapes level design, enemy AI behavior, and pacing, creating tension without overwhelming complexity.