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Diablo creators worried "RPGs were so overwrought with statistics that the genre had shrunk to a tiny audience," so they wanted it to be like "how we'd played Dungeons & Dragons as kids"
Max Schaefer, co-founder of Condor (later Blizzard North), discussed the early design philosophy of Diablo, aiming to simplify RPGs by focusing on core mechanics like hitting monsters and gaining loot, inspired by childhood Dungeons & Dragons experiences. This approach was intended to counter the overly complex statistics and penalties found in many contemporary RPGs, making the genre more accessible and rewarding for players.
Fable Studio Seeks A Producer, Game Designer, and More to Help Finish Development
Developer Playground Games is actively recruiting for multiple roles to finalize the development of Fable, following the recent launch of Forza Horizon 6. The studio is leveraging talent from other Xbox Game Studios, including Blizzard's cinematics team. Fable is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in Autumn, featuring a new take on the franchise's morality system and combat mechanics.
The Best PC Games To Play In 2026
This guide highlights the best PC games available in 2026, spanning various genres and including both recent releases and enduring live-service titles. The list emphasizes games that run well on PC, with considerations for hardware and accessibility, and notes that many titles are also playable on devices like the Steam Deck.
Sega has canceled its live service 'Super Game' due to 'intensifying market competition,' and I really, really hope it's a sign that the industry is finally correcting itself
Sega has canceled its ambitious 'Super Game' project, which aimed to be a major live service title, citing intensifying market competition. The company is reallocating around 100 developers to traditional full-game development, signaling a potential shift away from free-to-play models. This decision is seen by the author as a positive sign for the industry, suggesting a move towards more sustainable and less risky game development practices.
Most MMOs have so many expansions, it's hard to keep track of them all—can you tell our clever fakes from the…
This article presents a quiz designed to test players' knowledge of massively multiplayer online (MMO) game expansions. It challenges readers to distinguish between real and fake expansion names for popular titles like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy 14, and Guild Wars 2.
Google Cloud Games boss claims AI lets devs make more games and "take more risks"
Jack Buser, Global Director for Games at Google Cloud, believes that AI will enable game developers to create more titles and take greater creative risks. He suggests that AI tools can handle repetitive tasks, freeing up developers to innovate and release more games, potentially changing public perception of the technology as more titles become available.
Redditor shares gaming PC build with cooling system that can only be described as 'biblically accurate'
A Redditor named Yam_Founder has shared an elaborate custom PC build featuring a unique, multi-winged fan array and extensive water cooling system, dubbed 'Seraphim'. The creator, who works as a welder in cryogenics, designed the build over four years to be easier to maintain and modify than typical cases, showcasing their passion for welding and building.
Fable’s Development Was Helped by Blizzard’s Cinematics Team
Microsoft Gaming's chief content officer Matt Booty revealed that Blizzard's cinematics team assisted Playground Games with Fable's development. This collaboration is part of a broader initiative to foster synergy between Xbox Game Studios, with other examples including Compulsion Games using Activision's MoCap studio and Rare helping Double Fine with multiplayer features. Fable is slated for a Fall release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Overwatch landing on Switch 2 with better visuals, and a ‘better, crisper’ experience
Overwatch is launching on the Nintendo Switch 2 with significant visual and performance upgrades, including a stable 60 fps in both docked and handheld modes. This new version aims to provide a 'better, crisper' experience, allowing Nintendo players to better compete with those on PC. The update coincides with the release of Season 2: Summit and introduces a new hero, Sierra.
Overwatch Sierra abilities and perks explained
Overwatch has introduced Sierra, its 51st hero, as part of the Season 2: Summit update. Sierra is a Recon damage hero with abilities like Tracking Shot, Anchor Drone, Tremor Charge, and an ultimate called Trailblazer. Players can also select minor and major perks to customize her playstyle during matches.
Metacritic Names Top Game Publishers of 2025 With Square Enix Leading
Metacritic has released its annual ranking of top game publishers for 2025, based on the critical reception of their released titles. Square Enix secured the number one spot, driven by strong performances from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and other titles. Capcom and Gamirror Games followed in second and third place, respectively, with Microsoft rounding out the top five.
Diablo 4 game director believes it's 'normal' for most action RPGs to undergo major reworks: 'Friction points that we could never imagine suddenly rear their heads over the course of 10,000 hours'
Diablo 4's game director believes that major reworks and system changes are normal for action RPGs due to the extensive playtime players invest. He explained that friction points players encounter over thousands of hours often necessitate these transitions. The paragon system was cited as an example of a feature that may need future adjustments.
Jeff Kaplan recounts development of Project Titan as a game that ‘could never ship and would never exist’
Former Blizzard director Jeff Kaplan discussed the troubled development of Project Titan, an MMORPG that was eventually scrapped and reformed into Overwatch. Kaplan revealed that he recognized the project's insurmountable issues as early as 2009 and urged management to shut it down in 2010 to prevent further financial loss.
GDC: Ramen Acquisition of Coplay Brings Together the Best-In-Class Multi-agent AI Assistants for Unreal Engine and Unity Under One Roof
Ramen has acquired Coplay, integrating Coplay's AI tool for Unity with Ramen's Aura AI assistant for Unreal Engine. This combined offering aims to be the first AI assistant to support 80% of all game platforms and work across both major game engines. Ramen CEO Andy Tsen highlighted the synergy, bringing together the best of AI development for both Unity and Unreal developers.
Gamescom 2024 Steam Deck News, Reviews Including Bakeru and SCHiM, New Verified Games, Discounts, and More – TouchArcade
This week's Steam Deck Weekly covers Gamescom 2024 news, including impressions and reviews of Bakeru, Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse, SCHiM, Gestalt: Steam and Cinder, and the Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun expansion. It also highlights new Steam Deck Verified and Playable games, along with ongoing sales and discounts.
Marvel Rivals is part of the reason Overwatch dropped 5 new heroes at once
Overwatch game director Aaron Keller stated that Marvel Rivals has influenced the Overwatch team's decision to release multiple heroes simultaneously. Keller noted the excitement around Marvel Rivals launching with a large roster and considered a similar approach for Overwatch.
Highguard's failure is emblematic of something that has tormented videogame investors for years now: past live service hits do not equal future live service hits
The failure of live service games like Highguard highlights a persistent problem for investors: past success does not guarantee future hits. Even experienced developers like those from Apex Legends and major companies like Riot Games and Valve have struggled to replicate live service success, leading to cancellations and layoffs across the industry.
Blizzard is bringing Overwatch to mobile and we finally have our first look at it
Blizzard has revealed Overwatch Rush, a new mobile-first hero shooter built from the ground up for iOS and Android devices. This top-down game reimagines the Overwatch universe for quick play sessions and will be free-to-play with optional purchases. The development team is separate from Overwatch 2's main team and will not impact its progress.
