Game Balance
Ongoing coverage on Game Balance.
Latest coverage
Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred expansion teased in new book!... | TAG
A new book titled 'Lord of Hatred' offers an early look at Diablo 4's upcoming expansion, teasing new lore and story elements set in the Skovos Isles. Meanwhile, Limited Run Games is addressing past delays by setting more realistic shipping expectations, potentially pushing some preorders to late 2026. Bungie has also announced a nerf to the powerful Biotoxic Disinjector weapon in Marathon to improve game balance.
Marathon's most powerful gun gets a major nerf, as Bungie seeks to 'curb a little bit of its dominion in the…
Bungie has implemented a 35% damage nerf to the powerful Biotoxic Disinjector weapon in Marathon's Cryo Archive endgame. Game Director Joe Ziegler stated the change aims to curb the weapon's dominance, though further adjustments may occur. The nerf follows increased availability of the weapon after a recent change to boss access.
Overwatch Community Declares Game ‘Truly Back’ After Classic POTG Moment
The Overwatch community is experiencing a resurgence of enthusiasm, with players declaring the game is 'truly back' following classic Play of the Game moments. This renewed optimism is attributed to recent balance changes by Blizzard Entertainment that have made more heroes viable and fostered exciting team-based gameplay. These moments are creating a positive feedback loop, encouraging players to return and share their positive experiences.
Rust's Spring Clean update nerfs the shield meta and boosts early game energy
Facepunch Studios has released the 'Spring Clean' update for Rust, which includes a new Water Wheel for early game power generation and nerfs to the dominant shield meta by reducing hitbox sizes. The update also introduces improvements to tech-tree unlocks, a new radial menu for toggling light sources, and changes to fishing mechanics to prevent AFK farming.
Bungie brings the nerf hammer down on Marathon's problematic 'rich get richer' gun
Bungie is implementing a nerf to a powerful weapon in its extraction shooter, Marathon, acknowledging that the 'rich get richer' gun is too strong. This adjustment addresses player feedback regarding the game's best raid reward.
Marathon’s Recon Shell Will Get a More Aggressive Tracking Drone, Improved Ping in Mid-Season Patch
Bungie's upcoming mid-season patch for Marathon, scheduled for April 14th, will introduce significant balance changes, particularly for the Recon Shell. Updates include an improved Tracker Drone with more aggressive targeting and an enhanced Echo Pulse ability that clearly marks enemies. The patch aims to address meta tactics and provide more viable options for players.
Bungie Teases Upcoming Marathon Changes, Starting With Much Needed Buffs
Bungie is preparing to release update 1.0.6 for Marathon, which will include significant buffs to one of the game's weaker characters based on player feedback. These changes are expected to have a notable impact on the game's meta.
Marathon game director says Bungie's rebalancing 'god-like' knife damage, buffing Vandal and Recon shells, and knocking bubble shields down a peg
Marathon game director Joe Ziegler announced upcoming balance adjustments for Bungie's game, including rebalancing knife damage, buffing Vandal and Recon shells, and nerfing bubble shields and sniper rifles. These changes aim to address combat outliers based on developer observations and player feedback, with some updates arriving in the next two patches.
Slay the Spire 2 devs were caught off guard by 13,000 negative Steam review spike: "It was much more extreme than…
Mega Crit co-founder Casey Yano addressed a recent spike of over 13,000 negative Steam reviews for Slay the Spire 2, noting that while he is accustomed to harsh feedback, newer team members were surprised. The negative reviews were reportedly tied to a specific balance change rather than external factors, and Yano highlighted efforts to improve communication channels with players, particularly in China.
New Mario Kart World update adds a new Bob-omb Blast Battle mode and major track item 'performance' adjustments for Bullet Bill and the boomerang
Mario Kart World has received its version 1.6.0 update, introducing the new Bob-omb Blast Battle mode and making significant adjustments to item performance. The update also includes numerous bug fixes and gameplay tweaks, such as increased Bullet Bill speed and range, and a nerfed boomerang with reduced range and throws.
Marathon future patches will offer a "merciful option" to players, and will nerf its strongest gadget at long last
Bungie is implementing significant balance changes to its extraction shooter Marathon in upcoming patches. These updates will address overpowered elements like bubble shields, the knife, thermal scopes, and snipers, while also buffing the Vandal and Recon classes. Additionally, new items will be introduced to provide more options for solo players and a "merciful option" for inter-crew interactions.
War Thunder Update 2.55.0.40 Buffs Cromwell V Rockets, Raises Air Cap Limits
War Thunder's update 2.55.0.40 introduces significant balance adjustments, including increased explosive mass for Cromwell V rockets and a raised altitude limit for aerial capture points in Enduring Confrontation missions. Gaijin Entertainment implemented these changes based on community feedback and historical research, aiming to improve gameplay authenticity and player experience across all platforms.
Starfield hits PS5 preorders: Elder Scrolls vibes incom... | TAG
Starfield is now available for preorder on PlayStation 5, with its release set for April 7, offering Standard and Premium editions. Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2 has received a patch that nerfs the blue shell's frequency and speed. Aspyr has released a patch for Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered to address questionable outfit textures after fan criticism.
Phasmophobia Haunts Gamers While Mario Gets a Major Upd... | TAG
Recent gaming news includes Mario Kart World receiving a patch that nerfs the Lightning Bolt item, a rumored Final Fantasy 9 remake being put on hold, and Amazon offering deals before its Big Spring Sale ends. Additionally, ASUS released the ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial motherboard, Disney is reportedly considering acquiring Epic Games, and a KPop Demon Hunters x McDonald's collaboration is being highlighted. Guides are also available for Crimson Desert's Secret Garden Abyss puzzle and Arc Raiders' Outstanding Balance quest.
Bungie has ripped Marathon's most busted movement trick out of the game, and brought back a lucrative loot opportunity
Bungie has released a balance patch for Marathon, removing a powerful movement exploit involving Thief's grappling hook and reintroducing a controversial shortcut on The Outpost map. The patch also increases the challenge and loot quality in the central Pinwheel zone, and fixes a bug on the Dire Marsh map. These changes aim to maintain the desired pace of play and offer a more lucrative, albeit challenging, experience for players.
Marathon boss cryptically suggests the game is too hard, outright confirms "we have some iterations / big balance…
Marathon game director Joe Ziegler cryptically suggested that significant balance changes are coming to the game, referencing Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit.' Bungie is brewing major iterations and balance adjustments that could impact weapons, items, factions, and the loot economy. The discussion around Marathon has often focused on its demanding difficulty, particularly in PvP and PvE encounters, and Ziegler's comments hint at potential shifts to make the game more approachable.
Marathon patch notes nerf Thief’s slide cancelling as it ‘is ultimately unhealthy’
Bungie has released patch notes for Marathon, addressing community concerns by nerfing the Thief's slide-canceling movement exploit. The update also includes significant loot improvements for the Pinwheel map, adjustments to the Outpost map, and various bug fixes across different game modes and UI elements.
First ever Riftbound ban list kills off popular cards that have become so ubiquitous they're hurting the game
Riot Games has implemented the first ban list for its trading card game Riftbound, removing seven cards to improve competitive balance. The changes target cards associated with "Miracle" decks, powerful Battlefield cards, and specific cards like Draven, Vanquisher, which were deemed too dominant or unhealthy for the game's meta.
Marathon’s latest patch just nerfed Thief’s ‘slide cancel’ movement tech, because if you give Destiny players an inch, they will always take a mile
Bungie has released a new patch for Marathon that nerfs the 'slide cancel' movement exploit previously available to the Thief class. The developer stated that rapid repositioning must have a meaningful cost, and unbounded movement is unhealthy for the game's pace. The update also includes numerous bug fixes and minor tweaks across various game systems.
Project Zomboid Build 42.16 makes your starting Occupation actually matter
The Indie Stone has announced that Project Zomboid Build 42.16 Unstable will introduce significant balance changes to starting occupations, making them more impactful from the beginning of the game. This update aims to make players feel like professionals by increasing starting skills and adjusting costs, alongside new traits and other balance adjustments to gameplay mechanics.
