Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Minecraft Dungeons 2 Gamescom Demo Showcases Intelligent Design Changes In Action
The Gamescom 2026 demo for Minecraft Dungeons 2 showcases intelligent design changes, including a new combat system with jumping and an improved inventory management system for co-op play. The game introduces a new world called The Sift, featuring a sprawling map with a lot to explore. The art direction and charm are highlighted as key elements that will keep players engaged.
Ontos Gameplay is the Right Amount of Disturbing, Hands-On Gameplay Premieres August 26th
Frictional Games' upcoming horror title Ontos, delayed to 2027, premiered new gameplay showcasing player choices and their consequences. The game will feature a reality-bending narrative stemming from protagonist Aditi Amani's experiments. Additional hands-on gameplay will be shown by YouTuber Jacksepticeye on August 26th. Ontos is slated for release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Exterminauts is Very Helldivers 2-Esque in Extensive New Gameplay
Exterminauts, a new co-op PvE extraction shooter from Behaviour Interactive, is set to launch in 2027 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game features players completing objectives on an alien planet, similar to Helldivers 2, with upgradable weapons and "Overclock" skills. Gameplay footage highlights the core loop of dropping in, completing missions, and extracting, while facing various alien threats.
Five open world games built to swallow years of your life
This article highlights five open-world games that offer immense depth and longevity, encouraging exploration and player freedom. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Elden Ring, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are praised for their vast environments, emergent gameplay, and ability to keep players engaged for hundreds of hours.
Gears Of War: E-Day Seems To Miss The Point Of Prequels
The author expresses disappointment with the early preview of Gears of War: E-Day, feeling it misses the core purpose of a prequel. While the gameplay is described as functional and the setting of Emergence Day has potential, the narrative so far fails to reframe the franchise's story or add significant emotional weight, unlike other successful prequels.
1666: Amsterdam's early access is live now but there's still plenty that needs ironing out before I'd pay…
1666: Amsterdam has launched into early access after over a decade of development by Panache Digital Games. While the game shows promise with its intriguing setting and character designs, the core gameplay mechanics feel poorly integrated and repetitive. The developers are seeking community feedback to help polish the experience before a full release.
1666 Amsterdam is out and unfinished – but that's the whole point
1666 Amsterdam, developed by Panache Digital Games and helmed by Patrice Désilets, is launching into Early Access with the intention of being a work-in-progress. The game aims to defy expectations by actively seeking player feedback to improve its combat and other mechanics. Despite some rough edges, its unique themes and experimental approach set it apart.
Paradox's new grand strategy game is a truly feral take on the post-apocalypse
Paradox Interactive has announced Afterworld, a new grand strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Unlike traditional titles in the genre, Afterworld focuses on survival and resource management in a Mad Max-inspired setting, featuring vehicular combat and unique diplomatic challenges. The game aims to blend the strategic depth of titles like Europa Universalis IV with a harsh, unforgiving environment.
Game Of Thrones: War For Westeros Will Let The White Walkers Win
Playside revealed gameplay for Game of Thrones: War for Westeros, a real-time strategy game where players can command legendary Houses or the Night King's forces. The game allows players to rewrite the events of the franchise, including potentially letting the White Walkers win. It will feature a single-player campaign and multiplayer modes, and is seen as part of a resurgence for the RTS genre.
Rainbow 6 Tactics Looks Like If Siege And XCOM: Chimera Squad Had A Baby
Ubisoft announced Rainbow 6 Tactics, a new single-player, turn-based tactics game that blends elements of Rainbow Six Siege and XCOM: Chimera Squad. Developed by Ubisoft Paris, the game features a setup and breach phase inspired by Siege, followed by traditional turn-based combat. It will launch in 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with no in-game monetization or live-service elements.
Original Halo art director "may disagree" with some Campaign Evolved "creative decisions," but says…
Original Halo art director Marcus Lehto stated that while he genuinely enjoyed Halo: Campaign Evolved and is rooting for the franchise, he may disagree with some of its creative decisions. Lehto, who co-created the franchise with Bungie, expressed his continued care for Halo despite its recent struggles and acknowledged that fans might not like his own potential future contributions to the series.
Why A Video Game Grammy Meant Much More Than An Award Win
Composer Stephanie Economou, the first Grammy winner for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games, discusses the significance of the award and how her experience in game music influenced her work on the HBO series Lanterns. She highlights the storytelling power of video game soundtracks and how the Grammy win validates the artistic and cultural importance of game music.
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii says AI "hardly ever makes things up" anymore, even if it once made up that he…
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii expressed his admiration for the advancements in AI, noting its improved accuracy. He discussed the implementation of a Google Gemini-powered chatbot, Oshaberi Slimey, in the MMO Dragon Quest 10, aiming to make AI interaction more accessible.
For an unhinged 84 minutes, Slay the Spire 2 expert contemplates 1 damage and explains a fight simulator built to solve…
YouTuber Jorbs, known for his expert Slay the Spire 2 analysis, has developed a complex fight simulator using machine learning to optimize in-game encounters. The tool, built in Sandbox, allows players to input cards and enemy data to calculate optimal play lines, though its complexity makes it impractical for most situations. Jorbs acknowledges the excessive nature of the tool but finds joy in the granular analysis and the pursuit of optimizing gameplay.
Nvidia tech behind PUBG's genAI team mates will let folks chat to creature-collecting RPG Aniimo's not-Pokemon next year
Nvidia's ACE generative AI technology, previously used for AI teammates in PUBG: Battlegrounds, will be integrated into the creature-collecting RPG Aniimo in early 2027. Developed by Pawprint Studio, Aniimo will allow players to converse with their in-game creatures, teaching them skills and discovering their personalities. Nvidia assures developers have control over AI responses to prevent manipulation, with Aniimo's AI interactions limited to specific home base activities.
"People wanted faster movement, but not this fast" - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta players aren't happy with slide spammers and the increased pace of the game
Players in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta have expressed dissatisfaction with the game's accelerated movement mechanics, particularly slide-spamming and excessive jumping. While faster movement was requested, the current pace is considered too extreme by many, leading to frustration. Developers Infinity Ward and Activision have already implemented balance passes to adjust weapon damage and Time to Kill (TTK) in response to player feedback.
Why GTA Games Are A “Stab In The Heart,” But Also Amazing, For Ex-Dishonored Dev
Former Dishonored developer Raphaël Colantonio views Grand Theft Auto games as a "stab in the heart" for immersive sim enthusiasts, praising Rockstar's surface-level simulation and sandbox execution while lamenting the lack of lasting consequences for player actions. He contrasts this with games like Skyrim, where choices have meaningful, long-term impacts, and expresses his personal preference for deeper player agency over GTA's mission-instance approach. Colantonio looks forward to Grand Theft Auto 6 to see how Rockstar pushes its instant simulation further.
Roblox’s No. 1 Game Steal an Egg Was Pulled Hours After Reaching the Top
The popular Roblox game 'Steal an Egg' was removed from the platform shortly after reaching the number one spot and accumulating millions of negative impressions. The game featured a treadmill mechanic for players to earn in-game currency, which was criticized for its dystopian similarities to the Black Mirror episode 'Fifteen Million Merits.' The exact reason for its removal remains unknown, though speculation points to potential violations of platform terms of service regarding external video links.
Synths, impossible physics, and an "erotic experience with a PS5 controller" - the side projects of game devs are a reminder creativity is undimmable
This article highlights the undimmable nature of human creativity through the lens of game developers' personal side projects. Despite industry pressures, developers are pursuing diverse creative outlets, from interactive fiction and VR experiences to physical art and hardware experiments, demonstrating a persistent drive to create for its own sake.
Pay to Path Review | TheXboxHub
Pay to Path is a puzzle game where players must create paths for a character to reach a goal, but with a unique twist: every action like rotating or swapping path pieces costs in-game currency. While this mechanic encourages thoughtful play, the lack of an undo button and a clear tutorial leads to frequent frustration and resets, making the game a step in the right direction for the genre but ultimately hampered by its control and system limitations.
