free roam

English

Alternative forms

• free-roam

Noun

free roam (plural free roams)

1. (video games) A game mode where players can explore the game environment at will, rather than following a fixed story line.
   • 2011, Craig Haen, Engaging Boys in Treatment: Creative Approaches to the Therapy Process, →ISBN:

     If players can wander freely about the video game environment at their own pace with no linear pathway, as in Grand Theft Auto, the game is referred to as a “sandbox” or “free roam” game.

   • 2017, Hse Game, Lego Star Wars The Force Unleashed Wii U Unofficial Game Guide, →ISBN:

     This achievement can be acquired in multiple places in the world, both free roam mode and in story mode.

   • 2017, The Cheat Mistress, EZ Gamer, →ISBN:

     Deadly Premonition borrows from just about every game out there. It has the strange otherworld from Silent Hill (albeit not as creepy), the interactive cinematic elements from Heavy Rain (albeit not as pretentious), the free roam freedom of Grand Theft Auto (albeit not as big), and is in fact the open-world investigative adventure Alan Wake first promised to be.

2. The right to move without restrictions throughout a specific locale.
   • 2008, Jack Wiles, Ted Claypoole, Phil Drake, Techno Security's Guide to Securing SCADA, →ISBN:

     Whether it's theft of sensitive electronic info or building plans, or passive security that allows free roams of your business, every bit of info that the bad guys can use to formulate attack against you should be safeguarded or properly disposed of.

   • 2011, Lance Wilson, Second Born, →ISBN, page 314:

     The general said he had free roam of the city, he could move through the streets and no one could do anything.

   • 2014, Marit Emilie Buseth, Richard Saunders, Rabbit Behaviour, Health and Care, →ISBN, page 30:

     Gråtass was adopted, and is currently living with a rabbit companion with access to free roam of the house.

   • 2014, David Perlmutter, Grain Brain Cookbook, →ISBN:

     Free-range eggs are those gathered from hens who have indoor quarters, but who are allowed free roam in the outdoors (though often in an enclosed or fenced area).

3. A type of wireless service plan where there is no cost difference between on and off network usage.

Verb

free roam (third-person singular simple present free roams, present participle free roaming, simple past and past participle free roamed)

1. (video games) To play in free roam mode.
   • 2015, GamerGuides.com, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - Strategy Guide, →ISBN:

     After completing the initial London Story memory 'The Darkest Hour', you'll be able to free roam in WWI-era London and complete some additional associate tasks.

2. To move about or explore at will within a specified area.
   • 2011, Kim Schilling, Ferrets For Dummies, →ISBN, page 138:

     For beginners in the natural dieting world, I don't generally recommend feeding your ferret openly where she free roams, although many people do it with great success.

   • 2014, Jason Nachbaur, The Blue Recluse, →ISBN, page 121:

     Part of me wants to continue along this path and the other part wants to free roam off the beaten trail and find my own way or die trying.

   • 2014, Aaron Marcus, Design, User Experience, and Usability, →ISBN:

     Each participant was shown 7 websites and allowed to free roam a static image of the site for 30 seconds.

3. To allow animals the right to move freely within a large area.
   • 2009, Ralph Morton, God, Kate, & I, →ISBN, page 214:

     They free roamed or ranged cattle from Ingalls or Cimarron, Kansas to Lamar, Colorado, and from the Arkansas River to the Cimarron River.