Game Balance
Ongoing coverage on Game Balance.
Latest coverage
League of Legends is "trying to thread the needle" of balance and frustration
League of Legends Game Design Lead Matt 'Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison discussed the challenges of balancing the game while managing player frustration. He explained that while some friction is necessary for variety, Riot Games aims to address extreme outliers and cater to both average players and the professional scene.
Wardogs Season 1 Changelog patch notes adjusts progression, fixes voice chat & more
Bulkhead has released the Season 1 Changelog patch notes for Wardogs ahead of its early access launch. The update focuses on adjustments to player progression, including significant changes to XP curves and vendor prices, alongside fixes for voice chat, exploits, and performance issues. The developers have also implemented a new report tracking system and adjusted various gameplay elements like vehicle balance.
Dungeons and Dragons Online begins testing a major balance pass, including a new enhancement tree feat
Dungeons and Dragons Online has begun testing a major balance pass as part of Update 82, which includes global weapon combat changes, Reaper adjustments, and a rework of monster damage reduction. The studio, Standing Stone Games, is also introducing a new feat called 'Lock In' for two-handed weapon users.
League Classic patch 3 is its "biggest yet," with five new champions
Riot Games has announced that League of Legends Classic patch 3 will be its largest update yet, introducing five new champions: Fiora, Galio, Poppy, Shyvana, and Xin Zhao. Game Designer David 'Phreak' Turley stated that these champions will feature their older, distinct kits from earlier seasons. The patch also includes balance adjustments for existing champions and is expected to release on Wednesday, September 9.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta Steam numbers haven't budged in the second weekend, despite Warzone's arrival and transformative patch
The second weekend of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta saw stagnant player numbers on Steam, despite the addition of Warzone content and significant gameplay adjustments. Infinity Ward implemented changes to movement speed, slide mechanics, time-to-kill, spawns, and killstreak requirements in response to player feedback, but these did not translate to increased Steam concurrent players.
A Modern Warfare 4 open beta update adds the new big-team Combat Outpost mode
Infinity Ward has released a new update for the Modern Warfare 4 open beta, introducing the large-scale Ground War: Combat Outpost mode and two new maps. The patch also includes weapon balance adjustments, such as giving weapons with fewer than 60 reserve rounds an extra magazine, and a damage nerf to the .50 GS. The beta is currently live and will run until September 1.
New Elden Ring patch notes bring parry improvements and perfume buffs ahead of the Tarnished Pack DLC
FromSoftware has released Elden Ring patch 1.17, introducing balance changes and improvements ahead of the Tarnished Pack DLC. The update buffs certain offensive perfumes, weapon attacks, and spells, while also adjusting Greatshields and nerfing specific PvP items. The Tarnished Pack DLC, launching August 27th, adds new starting classes and items.
FC 27 will "let the game breathe," even if it's not perfectly balanced
EA Sports aims to "let the game breathe" with FC 27, prioritizing stability and player mastery over frequent balance patches. Developers Kantcho Doskov and Sam Rivera explained that major issues like exploits will be addressed, but the focus is on consistent mechanics, particularly in defending, which required a complete rewrite of the interception system.
As another Modern Warfare 4 beta update adds a new map, IW admits spawns "need to improve"
Infinity Ward has released another update for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta, introducing a new map called Lotus and the 3v3 Gunfight mode. The developer acknowledged that multiplayer spawns need improvement based on player feedback during the beta. The update also includes weapon balancing, audio tuning, and adjustments to various attachments and killstreaks.
A single-minded new Deadlock update targets its teamfight-trashing unicorn
Valve has released a new update for the MOBA Deadlock focused on rebalancing the hero Celeste. The update adjusts item effects and Celeste's abilities, including her ultimate, Shining Wonder, to reduce her oppressive impact in teamfights. These changes are being rolled out as a standalone patch, suggesting Valve felt immediate action was necessary.
A Modern Warfare 4 beta update nerfs footsteps, and adds a new map and mode
Infinity Ward has released a beta update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, addressing player feedback with several adjustments. The patch includes nerfs to specific weapons like the ISO Nightshade SMG and Oris 8.6 marksman rifle, and significantly reduces footstep audio volume and distance. The update also introduces a new map called Cachette and a new game mode named Inflation, alongside improvements to visibility on the Transit 213 map.
Modern Warfare 4 beta's first update is live, adding a new map, mode, and toned-down footsteps
Infinity Ward has released the first update for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta, addressing community feedback on footstep audio volume and range, as well as weapon lethality. The update also introduces a new map called Cachette and a new mode named Inflation, and enables map voting. Further adjustments and bug fixes are ongoing.
Illuvium Arena patch 1.17.12 goes live: bigger Lynx stacking, Colossus taunt overhauled
Illuvium has released patch 1.17.12 for Illuvium Arena, focusing on game balance adjustments. The update increases permanent affinity stat-stacking for Stage 3 Lynxes and overhauls the Colossus unit's taunt ability, replacing its Thorns effect with a team-wide buff. This patch continues the studio's intentional balance cadence to shake up the game's meta.
First Mortal Shell 2 balance patch stacks the deck for players: refunds for anyone who wasted Glimpses, bosses nerfed,…
Developer Cold Symmetry has released the first major balance patch for Mortal Shell 2, focusing on player buffs, enemy nerfs, and quality-of-life improvements. The patch addresses the game's resource economy, refunding players who spent Glimpses on Shell maps and increasing Gold drops. Several enemies and bosses have been nerfed, while certain weapons and Tarstones have been buffed.
League of Legends Classic patch 2 has no new champions, but adding more is Riot's top priority
League of Legends Classic patch 2 will not introduce new champions, but Riot Games prioritizes their release in future updates, with patch 3 expected to feature multiple new additions. This update focuses on balance tweaks, increased progression speed, and the return of champion and role swapping, alongside community voting and art improvements.
Gladiator Mayhem’s 2.7 Patch Shuts Down the Invulnerability Bug Behind Unkillable Opponents
Lightning Forge Games has released version 2.7 for Gladiator Mayhem, addressing an invulnerability exploit that allowed players to create unkillable opponents. The patch also includes rebalancing for the Guardian class, buffs to the Imperial frontline, and fixes for health bars and leaderboard heroes. The update aims to ensure fair play and supports the game's LFG Rewards program, which is tied to leaderboard rankings.
Modern Warfare 4 Developers Address Need for Balance in Call of Duty
The developers behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 believe that player skill has increased significantly since the franchise's rise to pop culture prominence. They are addressing the need for game balance in response to this evolving player base.
Terraria just surprise-dropped a massive update with dozens of new items
Re-Logic has surprise-released Terraria update 1.4.5.7 for PC, introducing over 30 new items, significant combat balance changes, and two new secret seeds. This update focuses on overhauling existing mechanics and rebalancing weapons, with a crossplay update planned for the future. The developer prioritized the PC release due to Gamescom, with console and mobile versions to follow.
Splatoon 3 11.3.0 update announced, patch notes
Nintendo has announced the release of the Splatoon 3 version 11.3.0 update, which includes a new weapon, the Plastic-Bottle Shot Replica, and various balance adjustments for multiplayer. The update also modifies points required for certain special weapons and aims to enhance weapon characteristics or improve ease of use.
Blizzard pulls out the nerf hammer for new World of Warcraft Midnight Season 2 class tuning
Blizzard Entertainment has released a new round of class tuning changes for World of Warcraft ahead of the Midnight Season 2 launch. The update targets significant outliers in both high and low performance tiers, with adjustments to tier sets and baseline abilities for various classes including Demon Hunters, Mages, Priests, and Warriors. These changes aim to rebalance gameplay and will go live on August 18th alongside the new season.
