Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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The Big Question: What's your video game happy place?
Several Eurogamer staff members share their personal 'happy places' in video games, discussing titles that offer comfort, nostalgia, or a sense of accomplishment. These range from the expansive exploration of No Man's Sky and the challenging yet meditative worlds of FromSoftware games to the simple joys found in games like Super Mario 64 and Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic.
Xenoblade Genesis breakdown, analysis, and speculation
This analysis speculates on the upcoming game Xenoblade Genesis, noting its potential as a new beginning for the franchise, evidenced by the removal of 'Chronicles' from its title. Despite limited information from a short trailer, the article explores possible science-fiction themes, the significance of the character Eleanor as the first potential sole female protagonist, and the implications of missing elements like Nopons. It also considers the technological advancements expected on the Nintendo Switch 2, drawing parallels to Monolith Soft's previous work.
SWG lead's new MMO, Stars Reach, almost lost me—until I met an animal conservationist mayor
Stars Reach, an MMO from Raph Koster, known for Star Wars: Galaxies, has launched in early access with a high price point and a messy, unfinished state. While the game's vision of a socially-driven experience with diverse skill trees is apparent, its current implementation suffers from janky mechanics, a poor first impression, and a lack of direction, though glimpses of compelling player-driven community building offer hope for its future.
Atlus on how Persona could have ended after Persona 2, Persona 3 “was the critical moment of whether the series would continue or not”
Atlus producer Kazuhisa Wada revealed that the Persona series nearly ended after Persona 2, with Persona 3 being a critical turning point for its continuation. Wada discussed how the team looked to the Tales of series for inspiration to broaden the appeal beyond core fans, implementing significant gameplay and UI changes in Persona 3. The article also mentions the availability of Persona 3 Portable and Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo platforms.
Shack Chat: What do you think the plot of Kingdom Hearts 4 will be?
Several Shacknews staff members offer their speculative theories on the plot of the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4, which is slated for a 2027 release. The discussions touch upon themes of reality versus fiction, potential crossovers with other franchises like Marvel and The Simpsons, and the series' complex lore progression.
Fallout dev Tim Cain says we should pay more attention to bad games: '[Publishers] often don't learn from failure because they only look at the games that sold well'
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain argues that both publishers and players should pay more attention to poorly received games to learn from failures. He suggests that analyzing unsuccessful titles, not just bestsellers or notorious flops, can provide valuable insights into game design and market trends. Cain believes this approach is crucial for industry growth and avoiding repeated mistakes.
The Omori Manga Is Actually Great
This article discusses the Omori manga adaptation, praising its artistic quality and narrative choices despite some fan criticism. It highlights how the manga streamlines the game's branching paths into a single protagonist arc, arguing this is a necessary and effective approach for the medium. The author defends the adaptation's direction and expresses anticipation for future volumes.
Parts of The Duskbloods are "very similar to a lot of RPG elements you might find in a tabletop RPG," says FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that elements of the upcoming game The Duskbloods are inspired by tabletop RPGs, including unique multiplayer objectives and player relationships. The game, which is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, will feature skill-based matchmaking and is expected to release later this year.
Silent Hill: Townfall's new gameplay trailer quietly confirms how long its PS5 exclusivity will last
A new gameplay trailer for Silent Hill: Townfall reveals that the game will be a PlayStation 5 console exclusive until at least six months after its release, suggesting a potential PC and other console release around March 2027. The trailer showcases protagonist Simon exploring the game's eerie environments. Konami producer Motoi Okamoto also commented on the franchise's revival, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong psychological horror narrative while allowing for experimental gameplay.
FromSoftware enters the skill-based matchmaking debate with The Duskbloods: "We definitely plan on having the matchmaking system work in a way so that it's ranked"
FromSoftware plans to implement skill-based matchmaking in its upcoming game, The Duskbloods, to ensure a better experience for both new and veteran players. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki stated that the system will aim to match players of similar skill levels, with potential for features that encourage interaction between different player tiers later on. The game is a Nintendo Switch exclusive.
Diskutera – Vilken simulator vill du spela?
This article discusses the breadth of the simulation game genre, noting that almost every conceivable activity has been simulated. It prompts readers to share their ideas for the most absurd or unnecessary simulation games they would like to see developed, encouraging creative and outlandish concepts.
47 video game things that spark joy
This article compiles a list of small, often overlooked moments in video games that bring players joy, ranging from humorous bugs and satisfying combat mechanics to clever design choices and nostalgic elements. Contributors share personal anecdotes about specific instances that enhance their gaming experience, highlighting the unique pleasures the medium can offer.
What we've been playing - "We're in danger of making this a regular thing"
This week's "What We've Been Playing" feature discusses several games, including the blob-merging puzzle game Sobosuba, the classic Minesweeper, and the social adventure game Big Walk. The article also touches on the philosophical question of player engagement in games that largely play themselves, using Vampire Survivors as an example, and mentions brief dabbling in The Lord of the Rings: The War in the North and Hades 2.
Meet Skillforged: an RPG about freedom, practice, and building your own path news
Skillforged is a 2D pixel art sandbox RPG in early development that emphasizes player freedom, skill-based progression through practice, and building a unique path in a challenging world. Players start with nothing and can choose to focus on combat, crafting, farming, or other professions, with their actions potentially shaping the game world and its community. The game draws inspiration from titles like RuneScape, Kenshi, Tibia, and Stardew Valley, aiming to offer a flexible experience where both grand adventures and quiet lives are equally valid.
Evening Reading - August 21, 2026
This is the final full Evening Reading before Gamescom, with the author departing for Germany to cover the event. The article rounds up recent gaming news including Take-Two Interactive's subpoena for the GTA 6 leaker, Marvel's Wolverine going gold, and updates on Call of Duty, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and Dead by Daylight. It also highlights new game maps, download deals, and a look at the Metal Gear Solid series.
The secret to making a good Star Wars game is to do less - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature argues that successful Star Wars games succeed by focusing on a single core fantasy rather than trying to include every possible element of the universe. Games like TIE Fighter, Republic Commando, and Jedi: Fallen Order are highlighted for their focused design, while others are criticized for becoming unfocused "catalogues" of features. The author suggests that future Star Wars games should prioritize a clear identity and developer confidence in saying 'no' to extraneous features.
FC 27 Evolutions Changes: Pathways, Chain Preview & PlayStyles Lab
EA Sports FC 27 is introducing significant changes to its Ultimate Team Evolutions feature, including branching Pathways for upgrade choices and a Chain Preview tool to plan multi-step upgrades. The PlayStyles Lab also returns with adjustments, such as pre-applied PlayStyles and varying acquisition requirements to prevent stacking meta options.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – Inside the Maps and Movement of Multiplayer
Infinity Ward discusses the map and movement design for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer, focusing on its South Korean-inspired setting and new traversal mechanics. The developers aim to balance authentic environments with fluid gameplay, incorporating elements like pipe climbs and slide maneuvers to enhance player mobility and strategic options. The game is set to launch on October 23, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, with beta weekends starting August 21.
Highly Anticipated RPG Won’t Support 60 FPS on PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro
The upcoming open-world action RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by Rebel Wolves, will not feature a 60 FPS performance mode on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro. Console versions will offer a 30 FPS Quality mode targeting 4K and a 40 FPS Performance mode requiring a 120Hz display. The game is set to release on September 3, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
70s-Style Robot Anime Geppy-X Review
This review of the 70s-style robot anime Geppy-X highlights its immaculate vibes and a remarkable cameo by Tarou-kun. While the gameplay is described as routine, the Ashita no Joe tribute is a notable WTF moment.