Game Design
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What are we all playing this weekend?
Several members of the editorial team are sharing their weekend gaming plans, including James playing the Wardogs closed beta, Edwin trying out Blood of Dawnwalker and Pathologic 3 on a loaned gaming laptop, and Ollie returning to The Finals. Jeremy is enjoying Blood of the Dawnwalker, while Julian is progressing through Star Wars: Zero Company and reflecting on EA's new ownership and studio furloughs.
Mega Man: Dual Override interview: devs comment on graphics, music, difficulty, collections, future, more
Developers for Mega Man: Dual Override discussed the game's new "Override system" and custom chips, the decision to use a subtitle instead of a number to attract new players, and the 2.5D visual style. The team also touched on the 40th anniversary of the Mega Man franchise, the composer Junko Karashima, and the potential for future collections and spin-offs.
It looks like No Man's Sky's next update is imminent as Sean Murray breaks out the emojis again - and fans reckon it's a big one
Hello Games director Sean Murray has used emojis on social media to signal that the highly anticipated 10th-anniversary update for No Man's Sky, codenamed 'Cosmos', is imminent. This emoji-posting tradition has historically preceded new updates, leading fans to speculate about a potentially large-scale release for the game's milestone.
Den otippade inspirationen bakom Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Capcom directors Satoru Nihei and Akihito Kadowaki discuss the inspirations behind Onimusha: Way of the Sword, including its combat mechanics and the influence of games like Super Mario Odyssey and Gundam Versus. They also touch upon Capcom's consistent quality and how the team adapted to working during the pandemic.
Warframe of Mind: Reacting to everything unveiled in the Iceblade of Narin preview
This preview discusses the upcoming Warframe update, Iceblade of Narin, focusing on the Banshee rework and the new character Narin. The author expresses mixed feelings about the Banshee rework, finding it conservative but effective, and views Narin as an interesting offensive support. The article also touches on the controversial decision to require pre-made groups for new six-person missions, citing potential issues with player matchmaking.
Game Director Finally Addresses His Rumored Foot Fetish–Wait, Not Kojima, The Other One
Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed fan speculation about foot imagery in his games, clarifying it's not a conscious focus. He suggested it might be subconscious or a misunderstanding, while acknowledging the presence of barefoot characters in titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls.
Elden Ring director denies he has a Tarantino style foot fetish
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed fan speculation about his alleged foot fetish, denying the claim and suggesting it stems from a subconscious exploration of human nature and connection. He also discussed the upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive The Duskbloods, drawing parallels between its themes of trust and characters like the maidens in Elden Ring.
Playing Mass Effect-inspired RPG Exodus was an uncomfortably familiar space trip, despite some brilliant zero-G fights
The preview of Exodus, an RPG inspired by Mass Effect, highlights brilliant zero-G combat sequences but criticizes familiar corridor battles and bland characters. Despite some promising mechanics, the game risks feeling uninspired if it doesn't develop its unique ideas further.
Exclusive: Ex-Rockstar dev gives us the inside scoop on what GTA 6’s Extended Look reveals about its protagonists — ‘Jason Duval is a robot — a Terminator'
Former Rockstar Games developer Mike York analyzes the Grand Theft Auto 6 Extended Look, suggesting protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos will offer a contrasting dynamic. York notes Jason's methodical, Terminator-like demeanor and Lucia's more assertive personality, potentially addressing past criticisms of the series' tone and female representation. He also comments on the game's visuals, character animations, and UI elements, while expressing confidence in its long-term appeal.
Not Since Mass Effect Has A Sci-Fi RPG’s Choices Broken My Heart Like Exodus
Archetype Entertainment's upcoming sci-fi RPG, Exodus, offers a compelling narrative with impactful choices and emotionally resonant characters, despite initial skepticism about its talking animals. The game, developed in collaboration with sci-fi author Peter F. Hamilton, features stunning visuals, natural character animations, and a unique consequence system where player decisions can affect entire civilizations across generations. The preview highlights engaging combat and a refreshing take on the genre, drawing inspiration from titles like Mass Effect and films like Interstellar.
The GamesRadar+ RPG Club is sinking its fangs into The Blood of Dawnwalker – here's your invitation
GamesRadar+ is launching its RPG Club with a focus on The Blood of Dawnwalker, an upcoming RPG from Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by veterans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The article highlights the game's similarities to The Witcher 3, its unique time mechanics, and its vampire protagonist, Coen. The club will track the host's progress over 30 in-game days on the hardest difficulty.
Former PlayStation indie boss Shuhei Yoshida and the founder of TIGSource are throwing a Game Poem jam that "challenges traditional boundaries between art forms"
Former PlayStation indie boss Shuhei Yoshida and TIGSource founder Jordan Magnuson are judging a new game jam hosted by the National Film & Television School, focused on creating 'videogame poems.' The jam challenges participants to blend poetry and game design, with submissions needing to be playable in a browser.
Lego Skylines' devs want your city's problems to be visible without digging into a stats screen, which means finding a "family friendly" version of showing homelessness
Developers at Iceflake Studios are aiming to make societal problems in Lego Skylines visually apparent without relying on statistics screens. While crime and fires will be depicted through in-game events, the team is still working on how to represent complex issues like homelessness in a family-friendly manner consistent with the Lego brand.
GTA 6 Online Could Struggle To Pull Players Away From GTA Online, Says Valve Veteran
A Valve veteran suggests Grand Theft Auto 6's online component may struggle to attract players from the highly successful Grand Theft Auto Online. The article highlights the challenge Rockstar Games faces in transitioning players to a new online experience, especially given the deep investment many have in the current iteration and the potential for a slow death of GTA Online if focus shifts entirely to GTA 6.
Burst Noir lets you choreograph your own spectacular fireworks displays just in time for holiday season
Burst Noir, a new fireworks display simulator, has been released on PC via Steam. Unlike rhythm games, Burst Noir functions as a fireworks show editor, allowing players to choreograph precise launch times, colors, and effects. The game includes 24 missions and 20 original music tracks, with support for streamers and video creators.
Pragmatic Play gives Zeus a makeover in Gates of Olympus POP
Pragmatic Play has launched Gates of Olympus POP, a reworked version of its popular slot game designed for a portrait-style mobile experience. This new title features a 3x5 grid, tumbling reels, and multiplier symbols, along with a miniature Zeus and a new POP symbol mechanic that can award instant prizes up to 25,000x. This marks the beginning of a new sub-brand for Pragmatic Play, which plans to reimagine existing franchises in this format.
Massively Overthinking: Is it wise for MMORPGs to court older gamers?
This article discusses the strategy of targeting older gamers, specifically those aged 50 and older, for MMORPGs. While some see it as a smart move due to disposable income and attention span, others question its long-term sustainability and the potential neglect of younger players.
PlayStation 5 Getting Long-Awaited Open-World RPG Sequel
Tripwire Interactive has announced Maneater 2, a sequel to its 2020 open-world RPG, scheduled for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game will feature a new setting at Neptune's Kingdom, an ultra-luxury seaside theme park, where players control a bull shark exploring and causing havoc.
Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA6) – We NEED To Talk About Carjacking
This article discusses how carjacking mechanics will significantly alter the gameplay experience in Grand Theft Auto 6. The upcoming title for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X is set to shake up the established formula with new approaches to vehicle theft.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation's new gameplay showcase confirms cutscenes can be fast-forwarded, and JRPG fans are…
A recent PlayStation State of Play showcase for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth revealed that cutscenes can be fast-forwarded, sparking controversy among some JRPG fans. While the feature is optional and present in previous titles, its prominent display in the trailer has led to criticism, though the article argues games are not dead because of it.
