Game Design
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Diablo 5 senior director says some complex systems were 'deferred' to the endgame, so it could 'deliver the depth and mastery elements' without 'overwhelming our players who are enjoying spending a lot of time in the campaign and exploring the world'
Diablo 5 senior game director Joe Shely stated that the team is aiming to cater to all Diablo fans by strategically deferring complex systems to the endgame. This approach ensures that players who enjoy the campaign and exploration are not overwhelmed, while still providing depth and mastery for endgame enthusiasts. Narrative director Jennifer Hepler added that passionate advocates for each playstyle are present on the development team.
Metroid is 40 years old but what kind of future is Nintendo building for it?
Despite Metroid celebrating its 40th anniversary, Nintendo's commitment to the franchise's future appears uncertain, with the upcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Metroid Ravenous being the only major releases. While Metroid Dread was the best-selling entry, its sales pale in comparison to The Legend of Zelda series, suggesting Metroid remains a prestige title rather than a mainstream hit. The article questions whether Nintendo's current approach, focusing on similar 2D and 3D iterations, is enough to evolve the series or if a more radical reinvention is needed.
Massively Overthinking: Does the MMORPG genre have a nostalgia problem?
This article discusses whether the MMORPG genre suffers from a nostalgia problem, with various writers debating the trend of classic servers and re-releases. While some see it as a financial crutch or a sign of stagnation, others view it as a valid form of game preservation or a necessary move in a risk-averse industry. The discussion highlights differing player attitudes and the potential for these throwback experiences to coexist with innovation.
The Blood of Dawnwalker sequel may not have the divisive time mechanic that so many players dislike: 'We will not…
Rebel Wolves is considering whether to include the divisive time mechanic from The Blood of Dawnwalker in its sequel. Studio CEO Konrad Tomaszkiewicz stated that the system will be used only if it fits the narrative, acknowledging player feedback and the popularity of mods that remove it. He also noted that complaints about the mechanic have decreased as players have completed the game and found sufficient time to experience its content.
Overwatch w/Devs: Doctrine, Grimsvötn, Reworks, and More | Official XBOX Podcast
The Official Xbox Podcast features members of the Overwatch team discussing new content revealed at BlizzCon 2026. They detail the new hero Doctrine, the Grimsvötn map, and reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, while also teasing future content and a special "Westwatch" Dagger Heart tabletop event.
Here’s The Great New Tactics Game You Should Be Playing–And I Don’t Mean Fire Emblem Or Zero Company
Ex Sanguis is a highly recommended tactics game that builds upon the strengths of Othercide with a snappier roguelike gameplay loop and streamlined mechanics. While it may lack the deep narrative of its predecessor, its satisfying combat and rewarding progression make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Stranger Than Heaven's combat system is one of many gambles that RGG might regret
This preview of Stranger Than Heaven, the next Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio game, focuses on its radical departure from the Like a Dragon series' traditional brawler combat. The new system, which controls each limb with a separate button and features directional blocking, is described as novel but potentially frustrating, especially in group encounters. The article also touches on controversial celebrity casting and the game's potential connection to the Like a Dragon lore, expressing concern that the studio is gambling on unproven ideas.
Diablo 5 is Blizzard's darkest ARPG yet, and that's the best way to honor the game that changed my life 30…
Blizzard announced Diablo 5 at BlizzCon 2026, slated for a 2029 release. The game aims to be the darkest entry in the series, returning to the horror roots of the original Diablo to honor its 30th anniversary. Senior game director Joe Shely stated that the game's premise involves Sanctuary being destroyed and Diablo winning, with few survivors enslaved or turned into demonic followers.
Brandon Sanderson Is Eager to Adapt His Books into a Video Game, Calling Himself a 'Lifelong Gamer'
Author Brandon Sanderson, a self-proclaimed lifelong gamer, expressed his strong desire to adapt his Mistborn book series into a video game. He believes the series' magic mechanics are well-suited for an interactive format but is seeking the right studio partner to collaborate with.
Grim Dawn Fangs of Asterkarn Review – One Hell of a Way to Say Goodbye | Invision Game Community
Grim Dawn: Fangs of Asterkarn is a massive and brilliant final expansion for Crate Entertainment's action RPG, adding a huge new region, the Berserker mastery with shapeshifting abilities, new enemies, equipment, and an endgame challenge called Ascendant Mode. Despite some minor issues like sparse areas and ageing visuals, the expansion successfully expands upon the core Grim Dawn experience, offering veterans significant new content and build experimentation opportunities.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is such a perfect JRPG remake, it has me wishing for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake I…
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC remake is praised as a near-perfect modernization of a classic JRPG, balancing faithfulness with new details. It offers a superior approach to remakes compared to titles like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which the author feels diverges too much from its source material.
Big Walk Is Devastating (in a Good Way)
Big Walk is a co-op game by House House that excels at fostering connection between friends, especially those separated by distance. The game's simple mechanics, low stakes, and emphasis on communication create a deeply engaging experience. Its beautiful, realistic world and surprisingly emotional ending make it a standout title for shared online adventures.
I'm two weeks into The Blood of Dawnwalker and may have already damned my soul – is that good?
Two weeks into The Blood of Dawnwalker, the author is embracing the game's vampiric themes and challenging 'Duelist' difficulty. The narrative has hooked them with its moral quandaries, particularly concerning the use of vampiric powers and their potential spiritual cost, setting up a compelling penultimate week.
Physint Release Date-Estimate, Gameplay, And Everything We Know
Hideo Kojima's upcoming game, Physint, is a tactical espionage action title being published by Xbox and developed by Kojima Productions. Originally a PlayStation project, Sony dropped the game due to concerns about budget and deadlines, but Xbox stepped in to support Kojima's vision. The game is still in its conceptual stages, with a potential release window as far out as 2030, and will feature actors like Bill Skarsgard in lead roles.
Elder Scrolls Online’s rumors system offers ‘an old-school questing and narrative scavenger hunt experience’
The Elder Scrolls Online is introducing a new 'rumor system' on September 28th, designed to offer a less guided, 'old-school questing and narrative scavenger hunt experience.' This system categorizes quests into Whispers, Plots, and Conspiracies, with increasing difficulty and requiring players to connect clues without extensive UI guidance.
After playing Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, this huge expansion is the second wind the game needs
An early hands-on preview of the Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance expansion reveals a significant upgrade for the base game, introducing a new vertical zone, Skybound Eyrie, and enhanced monster AI. The expansion also adds the Boost Bracer system, allowing players to enter a powered-up state with unique super attacks, aiming to increase combat intensity and provide a fresh challenge for experienced hunters.
"If the player trusts you enough, they are not going to savescum": Why the makers of some of the best RPGs on PC want you to get used to failing
Several RPG developers discuss the concept of player failure in digital versus tabletop role-playing games. They explore how game design can encourage players to embrace failure as a narrative tool rather than something to be avoided through savescumming, emphasizing trust and agency.
Chadley Is Back For Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Whether You Like It Or Not
Despite player complaints about his omnipresence in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Chadley will return with an expanded role in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation. Game director Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed Chadley will have his own laboratory on the Highwind and will be more involved in the main story, while his AI assistant Mai will take over guiding players through open-world exploration.
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG do you think deserves a movie adaptation?
This article discusses which MMORPGs deserve a movie adaptation, acknowledging the poor reception of the Warcraft film. It prompts readers to consider games with strong stories or those that fit well into film genres, regardless of gameplay quality.
"We will not force it": The Blood of Dawnwalker's sequel might drop the timer mechanics, says director, but I hope they stick around
Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of The Blood of Dawnwalker, stated that the game's divisive 30-day timer mechanics may not return in future entries if they don't fit the narrative. Rebel Wolves is exploring new ideas to differentiate their RPGs from titles like The Witcher, while also considering player feedback on the current timer's effectiveness.
