Boy - good question. In tabletop roleplaying games, beyond the discussion and dice rolling to determine random actions, miniature figures (one for each player) are placed on maps for combat and physical actions taken by their characters. You need to know what the environment, the obstacles that provide cover to distance attacks (firing weapons). In wargaming, maps are the central playing field. In live games, a map is printed and placed at the center of the playing table, with miniature figures placed on the map. Some games are played using virtual tabletop software to allow for long distance play over the internet. Maps as 100 dpi JPGs are uploaded to a map viewer. A grid is placed on top, and the figures as digital avatars. Maps are the central element in these games.

Just as a clarification, encounter scale maps are 1 inch = 5 ft square grid, however, as above some of my maps are top down illustrations of villages and extensive regions, these are more used to generally describe where player characters are visiting, and shown, but not used with miniatures. Miniatures use is exclusively for encounter scale maps.

Here are some links to game sessions recorded live - I haven't watched these to know how they show their maps...

D&D Live 2019

Starfinder Adventure