Game Design
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Gorgeous PS5 Sci-Fi Action Game Arrives on PS Store Today
Capcom's sci-fi action game Pragmata has been released on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 5. The game, which features players controlling Hugh and Diana as they attempt to escape the moon, received an average score of 86 on Metacritic and a 9 out of 10 in our review. Both a Standard Edition for $59.99 and a Deluxe Edition for $69.99 are available.
Indie Game Award 2026 Winner's Interview : Best Best Student Game - SmellyFrog
Shane, the solo developer behind SmellyFrog, discusses winning the Best Student Game award for Froggo's Adventure: Drifting Sky at the Indie Game Award 2026. He details his decade-long journey in game development, the challenges of solo creation, and his inspiration for the game's imaginative floating island setting. Shane plans to continue pursuing game development and aims to join the industry after graduating.
"You can't buy a BAFTA." Why commercial influence is a red line for the BAFTA Games Awards
BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip discussed the new headline sponsorship of the BAFTA Games Awards by Google Play, emphasizing that revenue is crucial for delivering the ceremony while maintaining editorial independence and a peer-voted judging process free from commercial influence. The conversation also touched upon BAFTA's efforts to increase representation within the games industry, particularly for women in technical roles, and the growing interest in transmedia adaptations of video game IP.
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says good level designers shouldn't "assume anything the player is going to do in…
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain emphasized that non-linear game design requires developers to avoid assumptions about player actions, such as expecting them to interact with NPCs in a specific order. He highlighted games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for their freedom, contrasting them with the more restrictive mission design sometimes found in Rockstar Games' titles like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.
Kingdom Come 2 director welcomes LGBT award nomination, then spends around 175 words explaining that it doesn't…
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's creative director Daniel Vávra welcomed an LGBT award nomination for the game's same-sex romance, but then elaborated on his views regarding "woke" content in media. Vávra stated that the game's approach was non-coercive and offered choice, contrasting it with what he perceives as forced representation in other titles. Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, the article acknowledges the game's strong writing and deserves praise for its depiction of the romance.
Rugpull Bakery Season 3 Debuts on Abstract Chain with Lower Rug Risk
Rugpull Bakery is launching its third season on Abstract Chain with significant changes aimed at reducing cheating and improving the player experience. Following controversies in Season 2 involving bots and multi-accounting, OnchainChemists is implementing solo bakeries, a restructured prize pool, and a new Rug Reduction System. These updates are crucial for maintaining trust in both the game and the Abstract Chain ecosystem.
John Carmack says Quake Arena 'was my favourite id Software game… always the one that I looked at as a pure…
John Carmack, formerly of id Software, stated that Quake III: Arena was his favorite game developed by the studio, considering it a 'pure game' focused on gameplay. He reflected on Quake Live as a pioneering but ultimately unprofitable browser-based remake. Carmack also mentioned that his skills as a designer likely peaked around the time of Quake III's development.
Rally Point: Genre-crushing choose-your-own strategy Heart of the Machine might be peak Arcen
Heart of the Machine is a genre-defying strategy game from Arcen Games that encourages player choice and experimentation without the paralyzing stakes of some other titles. The game allows players to embody a sentient machine, making decisions that lead to emergent gameplay and philosophical reflection. Despite its complex systems, it remains accessible and humorous, offering a unique experience that might be Arcen's best work yet.
Please Give My Decades-Old Pokemon Something Fun To Do
The author expresses disappointment with Pokemon Champions, finding it lacking for long-time collectors who want more interactive experiences for their Pokemon beyond static storage. Despite supporting Pokemon Home transfers, the game's limited roster and storage, coupled with subscription costs, make it unappealing compared to older titles like My Pokemon Ranch and Poke Pelago which offered more engaging ways to interact with collected creatures.
Steam Players Joke ‘It’s All Roguelikes’ in Viral Gaming Meme
A viral meme highlights the overwhelming presence of roguelike games on Steam, sparking discussion about the genre's dominance. While many players appreciate the genre's replayability and skill-based progression, some express fatigue and a desire for more variety in game types. The trend is attributed to Steam's algorithm, developer accessibility, and successful mainstream examples like Hades.
How Battlefield 6 Redefines the Modern Shooter Experience
Battlefield 6 aims to redefine the modern shooter experience with a focus on large-scale destruction, a complex single-player campaign set in 2027, and enhanced teamplay mechanics. Developed by EA's largest-ever Battlefield team, the game introduces a new Kinesthetic Combat System and the Portal Builder for custom matches. Electronic Arts is targeting a massive player base, potentially leveraging a free-to-play battle royale component, and is scheduled for release by March 31, 2026.
Blizzard will talk about Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred one last time before the expansion's launch next week
Blizzard Entertainment will host a developer update livestream on April 23rd to discuss Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred before its launch on April 28th. The stream will showcase previously underexplored features such as updated skill trees, the Talisman system, the Horadric Cube, and the new endgame feature 'War Plans'. The new season launching alongside the expansion will also be discussed.
Expedition 33 Star Charlie Cox Has Now Played The Award-Winning Game--"I'm Not Very Good"
Actor Charlie Cox, who voices Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, admitted he is not very good at the award-winning game. Cox, who previously stated he is not a gamer, has only played the opening sections. Expedition 33 has won more Game of the Year awards than any previous game, surpassing Elden Ring's record.
Roblox releases agentic AI tools for creators, promising ability to "build a game with a single prompt"
Roblox has launched new agentic AI tools within Roblox Studio, designed to assist game creators. These tools can reportedly generate a game design document from a single text prompt, create the game based on that document, and then perform automated quality assurance testing.
Marathon Review – What did we extract from its first month and Season 1?
Bungie's new extraction shooter, Marathon, offers a challenging and rewarding experience for dedicated players, differentiating itself with unique Runner Shells and a deep narrative. The game features slick movement and gunplay, but a short time-to-kill and complex item management can be punishing. Its seasonal reset system aims to maintain competitiveness by wiping player progression, a bold move for the live service genre.
Necrophosis: Full Consciousness Brings Weaponless Horror to Consoles May 28
Dragonis Games is releasing Necrophosis: Full Consciousness, a weaponless Lovecraftian horror experience, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on May 28, 2026. The complete edition includes the base game and the Subconsciousness DLC, with the PS5 version also featuring The Shore as a bonus. The game emphasizes psychological terror and vulnerability over combat, drawing inspiration from Zdzislaw Beksinski's surreal art.
Clash of Clans TH18 Guide – The Best Upgrade Order in 2026
This guide for Clash of Clans' Town Hall 18 update focuses on the optimal upgrade order to maximize player progression. It highlights key new defenses like Guardians and the Super Wizard Tower, and emphasizes prioritizing offensive upgrades like the Hero Hall and Laboratory before defensive structures. The article also touches on base design strategies and alternative methods for players looking to skip the grind.
Sword Art Online Action RPG Echoes of Aincrad Gameplay Trailer Released
A new gameplay trailer has been released for Game Studio Inc. and Bandai Namco's action RPG, Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad. The trailer showcases real-time combat, character progression, and skill utilization. The game is set to release on July 10 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Best weapons in Pragmata
This guide for Pragmata details the best weapons to use and upgrade, categorizing them into primary, attack, tactical, and defensive types. It highlights specific weapons like the Shockwave Gun and Charge Piercer for their damage and utility, and tactical tools like Sticky Bombs for crowd control and hacking efficiency. The article also touches on the game's temporary weapon system and the importance of balancing weapon upgrades with suit and tool enhancements.
My full guide to Pragmata after spending 18 hours shepherding my space daughter
This guide provides an in-depth look at the game Pragmata, covering its combat mechanics, weapon system, healing, and progression. It details how to utilize companion Diana's hacking abilities, manage limited weapon ammo, and utilize checkpoints. The guide also explains the various currencies and upgrade systems within the game, and estimates the playtime for a full completion.
