Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Planet Zoo 2 Feature Focus Highlights Creativity and New Animal Species | Invision Game Community
Frontier Developments released a new video focusing on the creative building tools and new animal species in Planet Zoo 2. The game will feature extensive customization options for zoo design, including piece-by-piece construction and blueprints, alongside animals like the Western Lowland Gorilla and Meerkats. Planet Zoo 2 is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with Standard and Deluxe editions available.
Halo co-creator thinks "many of you would not like" his ideas for a "darker" PvPvE sequel, including…
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto shared his ideas for a darker, more grounded Halo sequel that would feature a PvPvE structure and potentially alter existing lore. He acknowledged that these concepts might not appeal to the current fanbase and that Xbox owner Microsoft may not be interested in pursuing them.
'I Bet Many of You Would Not Like It' — Halo Co-Creator Says He Would Make Series 'Darker' if He Made a New Game
Marcus Lehto, co-creator of Halo, stated that he believes fans would not appreciate his vision for the series if he were to create a new game. He suggested that his approach would make the franchise 'darker' than its current direction.
CoD: Modern Warfare 4 Aims For Fast And Fluid Movement, But A Classic Mode Isn’t Off The Table
Infinity Ward developers Geoff Smith and Jack Hoppus discussed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's focus on fast and fluid movement, including an overhauled mantling system. While a classic mode isn't currently planned, they did not rule out its possibility for post-launch content. The game is set to release on October 23 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, featuring a campaign, multiplayer, and DMZ mode.
Slay the Spire 2 fan's card pitches are so good, devs might steal them: "What the heck"
A fan's creative card pitches for Slay the Spire 2 have garnered significant attention, with Mega Crit co-founder Casey Yano expressing enthusiasm and suggesting they might be incorporated. The fan proposed cards like 'Buddy Slam,' which deals damage equal to another player's block, and 'Gonna Finish That?', which transfers status cards. The developers are reportedly slowing down smaller updates to focus on larger content additions, such as a new character.
The Duskbloods doesn't punish death like other FromSoftware games do
The upcoming FromSoftware game, The Duskbloods, will feature a death mechanic that differs significantly from previous titles like Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Instead of losing a currency like Souls or Runes upon death, players can respawn multiple times during the initial phases of 'Dusk Battles'. While death won't result in currency loss, players can still be penalized via 'Sword Virtue' if killed by opposing players in Ritual Cities.
Borderlands 4’s FL4K and the Last Resort digs into Tediore lore
Gearbox Software has revealed details about Borderlands 4 Story Pack 2, titled FL4K and the Last Resort, set to release on September 10, 2026. This expansion introduces the volcanic island of Providence, a new tropical resort setting, and pits players against the weapon manufacturer Tediore. Players will team up with Vault Hunter FL4K to rescue his skag, Mr. Chew, and will encounter new gameplay mechanics like ziplines and environmental hazards.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy – Why This Is Far More Than A Plague Tale 3
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy marks a significant genre shift for the series, moving from stealth-focused gameplay to action-adventure. Asobo Studio's co-founder David Dedeine explains that while a direct sequel to A Plague Tale: Requiem was unlikely due to the ending, the team wanted to explore new gameplay mechanics and a different character, Sophia, who is more suited to combat. The game, set to release on August 27 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, retains the franchise's thematic tone and visual identity while introducing new mechanics like a grappling hook and a focus on player freedom in traversal.
Vague Patch Notes: How do MMOs come back from bad launches?
This article analyzes how Massively Multiplayer Online games can recover from poor launches, emphasizing the critical role of leadership admitting fault and engaging with the player base. It contrasts successful turnarounds, like Final Fantasy XIV, with games that failed to gain traction, such as Ship of Heroes, highlighting that player perception must improve before the game itself can be fixed.
2026’s Best Horror Game Isn’t Even A Horror Game
The cooperative puzzle-adventure game Big Walk, despite lacking traditional horror elements like combat or fail states, evokes fear through its day-night cycle and emphasis on player-driven mishaps. The article draws parallels to The Blair Witch Project, highlighting how the anxiety stems from being lost, poor communication, and the fear of the unknown, rather than jump scares. Ultimately, the game's design encourages teamwork and problem-solving to overcome these unsettling situations.
Hidetaka Miyazaki says The Duskbloods is full of ideas FromSoftware couldn't fit into Dark Souls or Demon's…
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that ideas not used in Demon's Souls and the Dark Souls series are being incorporated into the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods. The action RPG will leverage unique online and multiplayer elements, with some customization options catering to players who prefer a less intense PvP experience.
Kingdom Hearts 4 features Pixar's Coco because Tetsuya Nomura thought it "would be the best world" for…
Tetsuya Nomura, lead designer for Kingdom Hearts 4, explained that the Pixar film Coco was chosen as a world in the upcoming RPG because its themes best aligned with Sora's story progression. Nomura emphasized that world selection is based on synergy with the main narrative. The trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 features elements from Coco, hinting at narrative connections related to memory and forgetting.
I made Miyazaki choose his favorite Bloodsworn character in The Duskbloods
The Duskbloods Game Director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed his favorite characters from the upcoming game during a roundtable interview. While he enjoys playing as Zork and Layla for their distinct playstyles, he also has an appreciation for Samir's design, despite his playstyle not suiting Miyazaki. The interview also touched upon the game's character design and potential appeal to Soulsborne fans.
What is The Duskbloods? From Software’s Switch 2 Exclusive Explained
The Duskbloods is a new PvPvE game from FromSoftware, described as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. Matches involve up to eight players competing over 30 minutes to earn 'Virtue' by killing enemies and completing objectives, with players being culled over several rounds until three remain for a final arena battle. The gameplay mechanics draw comparisons to Elden Ring and Bloodborne, featuring similar combat but with enhanced player mobility and a unique Sigil customization system inspired by tabletop RPGs.
Hidetaka Miyazaki Interview: FromSoftware's Boss On The Duskbloods' TTRPG Influences, the Nintendo Partnership, and the Future of Games
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki discussed the influences behind his games, including tabletop RPGs, and touched upon the company's partnership with Nintendo and the future of game development. The interview followed a hands-on preview of The Duskbloods.
Hidetaka Miyazaki On The Duskbloods: “Maybe PvPvE Wasn’t The Best Way To Refer To It”
Hidetaka Miyazaki, president of FromSoftware, discusses the vampire-themed multiplayer game The Duskbloods, admitting the initial 'PvPvE' label might have been confusing. He elaborates on the game's design, inspirations from vampire literature and board games, and the unique Sigil system intended to create player drama. Miyazaki also touches on character design, drawing parallels to Ultraman for the character Zork, and the importance of balancing gameplay and narrative elements.
I’ve Never Played Anything Like The Duskbloods, And I Cannot Wait To Play More
A preview of FromSoftware's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods, reveals a unique PvPvE experience that blends competitive multiplayer with objective-based PvE elements. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki describes the game as a 'festival' with a focus on player-driven 'drama' through a new 'Sigil' system, aiming to upend expectations for the studio.
Former Arkane vets' new studio isn't going to try 'trend chasing', and in hindsight, thank God
Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, former Arkane developers, have founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive. They aim to avoid chasing industry trends and instead focus on creating immersive sim games that excite them and their target audience, citing the continued cultural and financial success of titles like BioShock and Dishonored as evidence of the genre's viability.
Give Master Chief a break – I want more Halo games like ODST and Reach
The author argues that while Halo's core FPS gameplay is legendary, its narrative potential, particularly seen in titles like Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach, has been underutilized in recent years. With the rebrand to Halo Studios and the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved, there's an opportunity to draw inspiration from these past successes and explore new storytelling avenues within the Halo universe, rather than solely focusing on Master Chief's main saga.
15 minutes of Black Myth: Zhong Kui gameplay footage provide our first proper look at Wukong's successor yet
Game Science has released 15 minutes of gameplay footage for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, showcasing combat and the protagonist, Zhong Kui. The sequel appears to feature more non-boss enemy encounters and detailed animations compared to its predecessor, Black Myth: Wukong. The game is currently in development for PC and major consoles with no release date announced.
