Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Here’s how indie MMO Profane is trying to revive Ultima Online’s ‘hardcore, vanilla experience’
The indie MMORPG Profane aims to revive the 'hardcore, vanilla experience' of early Ultima Online, incorporating features like open PvP, mounted combat, and build-anywhere housing. Developed by Brazil-based Insane Game Studio, Profane is currently in alpha and promises a single-server experience with territorial PvP and underwater exploration, differentiating itself from its inspiration.
ChainStaff Review - Never Break the Chain
ChainStaff is a run-and-gun platformer that stands out with its unique 1960s sci-fi art direction and a versatile alien chain weapon used for combat, defense, and traversal. The game blends classic influences with modern design ideas, featuring a meaningful upgrade system and branching progression. However, it suffers from uneven pacing, inconsistent combat, and technical issues on the Nintendo Switch.
Round Up: 'The Map Is a Showstopper': Forza Horizon 6 Previews Heap Praise on Open World Racer
Previews for Forza Horizon 6 highlight its open-world map set in Japan and praise the game's structure and progression. While the driving mechanics are familiar and satisfying, the new setting and revamped progression system are receiving significant acclaim. The game is set to launch on Xbox and PC in May, with a PlayStation 5 release following shortly after.
Pokémon Champions launches to mixed reception, as performance woes and competitive changes turn some away
Pokémon Champions has launched to a mixed reception, with players citing performance issues such as a 30FPS lock on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and clunky menus. The game's strict adherence to the VGC format, excluding the popular 6v6 singles battles and a limited roster of Pokémon and items, has also disappointed a segment of the competitive community. However, some players see potential in the current state, anticipating future content updates and appreciating the focus on less common items.
Finding inspiration and a bit of hope in CorgiSpace
Finji's Adam Saltsman presented his 'CorgiSpace' manifesto at GDC, advocating for making small, joyful games with short development cycles. The philosophy emphasizes separating core ideas from rigid formulas and working with the natural flow of tools to create experiences that are 'easy, but not obvious.' This approach has proven rejuvenating for developers, offering a sustainable way to create meaningful work amidst industry challenges.
Publisher gamigo Announces Public Playtest for Open-World MMORPG Gloria Victis, Live from April 20 until April 27
Publisher gamigo has announced a public playtest for the medieval open-world MMORPG Gloria Victis, running from April 20 to April 27. The playtest will feature realistic combat, massive faction PvP battles, and a player-driven economy, with participants receiving in-game rewards. This marks the first time players can access the game since it went offline in 2023.
Omeda Studios Launches Update 1.13:Throne of Thorns, Predecessor's Biggest Update Yet Arrives Alongside New Elite Partner Program
Omeda Studios has launched Predecessor V1.13: Throne of Thorns, its largest update yet, introducing the new hero Adele, an evolved Daybreak map, a community quest system, and uncapped Hero Affinity. The update also coincides with the launch of the Predecessor Elite Partner Program, bringing MOBA personalities Weak3n, Elojoninja, and Lourlo into the development process as strategic partners. This update aims to deliver meaningful new content and foster a strong competitive ecosystem for the action-MOBA.
Samson: A Tyndalston Story Review — Streets of Age | Console Creatures
Samson: A Tyndalston Story is a debut title from Liquid Swords that blends roguelite mechanics with the gritty atmosphere of late '90s and early '00s action games like Driver and Max Payne. Players navigate the crime-ridden streets of Tyndalston, repaying a large debt through daily cycles of jobs and combat, while dealing with a pervasive sense of darkness and numerous bugs. Despite its nostalgic appeal and innovative debt repayment system, the game suffers from repetitive gameplay and significant technical issues that hinder the overall experience.
Forza Horizon 6 Preview — Tokyo Jungle | Console Creatures
A preview of Forza Horizon 6 reveals a significant reset from its predecessor, featuring a move to Japan with a focus on regaining a sense of progression. Playground Games has incorporated player feedback, offering a diverse map with iconic Japanese aesthetics and a more engaging gameplay loop. The game boasts impressive visuals, particularly on Xbox Series X, with enhanced sound design and lively environments.
Fuelled by Playground's "relentless pursuit of excellence", Forza Horizon 6 is set to become one of the best racing games of the generation
Forza Horizon 6 aims to build upon the success of its predecessor with a more detailed open world set in Japan and refined driving mechanics for its 550-car roster. Developer Playground Games is focusing on "vibe driving" by introducing new systems that reward exploration and casual play, ensuring a richer experience for all player types.
Annulus Launches on PC and Mobile, Bringing a Bold New Take on Tactical RPG Combat | Invision Game Community
The tactical RPG Annulus has launched on PC via Steam, and mobile platforms including the App Store and Google Play. The game features a unique battlefield system that moves away from traditional grids, rewarding strategic positioning and adaptability. Annulus is available as a free-to-play title with cross-platform support.
Talking Point: Which Zelda Game Would You Most Like To See Remade?
This article discusses which games in The Legend of Zelda series fans would most like to see remade. While rumors of an Ocarina of Time remake for the Switch 2 persist, various writers express desires for remakes of titles like Majora's Mask, Zelda II, A Link Between Worlds, and Four Swords Adventures, alongside other less frequently remade entries.
Overwatch's Next Hero Comes With A Badass Grappling Hook (And Juicy Lore Opportunities)
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed Sierra, a new Damage Hero joining the Overwatch roster on April 14. An animated short showcased Sierra's grappling hook abilities and a pulse rifle, while also hinting at deeper lore connections to the Naughton Vault and the crime syndicate Deadlock. The introduction of Sierra coincides with the start of Overwatch's Season 2: Summit event.
Gnomecast 234 - Positioning the Narrative
Ang, Chris, and JT discuss the concept of narrative positioning in games. They explore what narrative positioning means and its implications for game development.
World of Warcraft Voidspire Raid Overview
The Voidspire raid in World of Warcraft: Midnight Season 1 features six bosses and is located in the Voidstorm zone. Normal and Heroic difficulties launched on March 17, 2026, with Mythic and Raid Finder rolling out later. The raid is designed for level 90 characters and offers new tier set tokens and best-in-slot weapons.
Lineage W to Be Published by NCV Games as the Premier MMORPG in Southeast Asia - GameHaunt
NCV Games, a joint venture between NCSoft and VNGGames, will publish Lineage W as its flagship MMORPG for Southeast Asia in 2024. The game will feature a fixed isometric view and focus on guild warfare, with custom adjustments planned for the region. Pre-registration is expected to open soon for mobile (iOS/Android) with PC cross-play anticipated.
The Agency Graduates from Early Access with Steam Achievements
The Agency has officially graduated from Early Access, transitioning into its full release with the addition of Steam Achievements. Developers are framing these achievements not as typical milestones, but as "traces" and "indicators" woven into the game's mysterious narrative, suggesting they are part of an ongoing evaluation by the titular agency.
Silent Hill: Townfall To Be Scored By Canada's Pilotpriest | Console Creatures
Konami, Annapurna Interactive, and Screen Burn Interactive have announced that Canadian composer Pilotpriest, also known as Anthony Scott Burns, will be scoring the upcoming horror game Silent Hill: Townfall. Burns expressed his admiration for Akira Yamaoka's work on previous Silent Hill titles and his excitement to contribute to the series. The game is set to launch in 2026 for PlayStation 5 and PC.
People of Note Review 👩🎤
People of Note is a stylish indie musical RPG that combines music and role-playing elements with a journey to assemble a band across genre-inspired lands. The game features excellent visuals, a strong soundtrack, memorable characters, and music-themed combat and puzzles, though the overall difficulty is low and some puzzles lack clear direction.
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone says Link's Awakening is his favorite Zelda game because it has an "indie" feel: "It was creative and unique in a way that seems harder to find in modern triple-A games"
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone has named The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening as his favorite Zelda game, citing its "indie" feel and creative uniqueness. Barone discussed how the sense of exploration and the discovery of "special items" in Zelda games have influenced his own game design approach.
