Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Crimson Desert Players Discover Incredibly Detailed Space After Reaching Planet’s Orbit
Players have discovered that Crimson Desert features a surprisingly detailed in-game space environment, including a visible planet curvature, atmosphere, and the Milky Way galaxy. This was achieved by players using a PC mod for infinite stamina to ascend to orbit. The developer, Pearl Abyss, has also potentially modeled re-entry effects, hinting at future content possibilities for the game, which has already sold 4 million copies.
007 First Light Team Needs You to “Feel Like Bond” and Improvise Without Breaking Character
IO Interactive aims for players to embody James Bond in 007 First Light, emphasizing improvisation and staying in character over branching choices. The game will launch on May 27th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Crimson Desert's map is so big that you can go to space and look down at Pywel from the surprisingly detailed stars
Players have discovered that Crimson Desert's massive map extends into outer space, featuring detailed stars and a visible planet curvature. This discovery was made possible through mods and exploits, leading to speculation about potential space-themed DLC or future game content from Pearl Abyss.
Pupple Pop Launches on Steam with Weapon Bubbles and Prestige System
Pupple Pop has launched its full release on Steam, transitioning from a demo to a complete incremental game experience. The developers have incorporated player feedback, adding new weapon bubbles with unique powers, advanced automation features with new fish helpers, and a prestige system for infinite progression. The game emphasizes tactical depth and strategic planning over mindless clicking, aiming to revitalize the incremental game genre with modern design principles and community engagement.
Rice Games Highlights Shujinkou Lecture at Waseda University and GDC 2026 Recognition
Rice Games Inc. announced two recent milestones for its JRPG Shujinkou. Founder Julian Rice delivered a lecture at Waseda University discussing the game's design and educational elements, while themes from Shujinkou were featured in the GDC 2026 Festival of Gaming Concert Medley.
Exit 8 director wants to reinvent video game adaptations and blur the "borders between the movie and game…
Director Genki Kawamura aims to redefine video game adaptations with his upcoming horror film Exit 8, seeking to blur the lines between movies and games. He was inspired by the game's simple yet profound design and the emergent human stories created by players and streamers. Kawamura highlighted the clear vision of Exit 8, developed by a single person at Kotake Create, as being akin to fine art or a novel.
007 First Light Gets New Developer Diary Focused on Bond’s Story and Origin
IO Interactive and Amazon MGM Studios have released a new developer diary for 007 First Light, focusing on the game's narrative design and James Bond's origin story. The game, set to launch on May 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC, will feature a younger, more idealistic Bond stepping into espionage for the first time. Pre-orders are live, with a free upgrade to the Deluxe Edition for those who pre-order.
"We had everything that I've seen from Crimson Desert," former Just Cause boss says of Avalanche's cancelled fantasy open-world game
Former Avalanche Studios co-founder Christofer Sundberg stated that the studio's cancelled fantasy open-world game, AionGuard, had plans that mirrored features seen in the recently released Crimson Desert. Sundberg believes AionGuard could have been very similar to Crimson Desert, which has achieved significant sales success.
People of Note Review – Great Music, Strong Combat, Weak Story
People of Note is a turn-based RPG that features a strong musical soundtrack and engaging combat systems, but suffers from a weak and tonally inconsistent story. While the game offers a colorful world, accessibility options, and deep combat mechanics, it is hampered by bugs and a narrative that fails to adequately explore serious themes like addiction. Despite its flaws, the game's music and core gameplay loop make it a potentially worthwhile experience for fans of old-school RPGs.
Legendary Guilty Gear Creator Offers a Warning to AAA Game Developers
Daisuke Ishiwatari, the creator of Guilty Gear, has expressed concerns about the current state of AAA game development, warning against the dangers of extreme specialization and lack of creativity. He suggests that large budgets lead to risk aversion, limiting opportunities for developers to create unique or signature works. Ishiwatari advocates for a more fluid development approach that trusts developer instincts, citing the creation of DAMON and BABY as an example of broadening perspectives.
Sentenced to Be a Hero Interview - Rocket Shokai and Mephisto on Dark Fantasy and Broken Heroes
In an interview, Rocket Shokai and Mephisto discuss the dark fantasy series Sentenced to Be a Hero, focusing on its oppressive setting, morally flawed characters, and unique approach to heroism. Rocket Shokai explains the narrative inspiration from penal units and classic storytelling structures, while Mephisto details the visual design choices that balance darkness with character connection and realism.
Looking Back (and Forward) at the Success of Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors continues to set the standard for the bullet heaven genre with its rapid progression and consistent rewards, even four years after its initial release. The game's latest DLC, inspired by Castlevania, adds significant content and further solidifies its position as a benchmark for developers in the genre. Despite newer titles offering more technical or RPG elements, Vampire Survivors' core gameplay loop and extensive unlockables maintain its appeal and replayability.
Hideo Kojima put Low Roar in the Death Stranding games because he thinks gamers need more culture in their lives: "I believe that is the role entertainment is meant to play"
Hideo Kojima discussed his approach to integrating music and culture into his games, specifically mentioning the use of the band Low Roar in Death Stranding. He believes entertainment, including video games, should encourage players to explore artists and art forms beyond their usual tastes. Kojima also touched upon the development of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, aiming for a more engaging experience for players.
A Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remaster On Switch 2 Would Be A Huge Missed Opportunity
A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2 could be a missed opportunity if it only updates visuals without modernizing gameplay mechanics. While the original's Z-targeting was revolutionary, current players are accustomed to dual-stick controls and more dynamic combat. The article suggests borrowing Link's abilities from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom to create a more engaging experience, rather than simply porting the classic.
State of Decay 3 is back from the dead, with new playtest to sign up too with development insight
Undead Labs has announced an alpha playtest for State of Decay 3, with sign-ups now available on the game's website. Development insights shared on the Sunny Games podcast reveal a shift towards more makeshift crafting and base building as the game progresses. The co-op experience has also been enhanced with server-based gameplay allowing for more seamless player integration and scaling difficulty.
KuloNiku: Bowl Up! Review – A Cozy Cooking Game With Surprising Depth
KuloNiku: Bowl Up! is a cozy cooking game with a sharp anime aesthetic and engaging writing, offering a unique experience despite minor stuttering issues. The game features a surprising amount of backstory involving spies and secrets, alongside familiar anime tropes presented as a loving homage. Players can enjoy a satisfying upgrade loop, a "cozy" mode without timers, and turn-based "Meatball Brawls" that add depth to the cooking gameplay.
The Busy Gamer's Survival Guide: How to Game When Life Won't Let You | TAG
This guide offers strategies for adults with limited time to enjoy gaming, focusing on managing expectations and choosing appropriate games. It suggests matching games to energy levels, utilizing handheld devices, and adopting a flexible approach to backlogs and subscription services.
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon Is Revitalizing the Dark Fantasy RPG Genre
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is revitalizing the dark fantasy RPG genre by offering a gritty, unpredictable first-person open-world experience reminiscent of early 2010s classics. Despite some technical imperfections on consoles, its deep lore, impactful choices, flexible combat, and strong atmosphere make it a distinctive adventure for players seeking a challenging and morally complex world.
Indie Horror Game ‘Idols of Ash’ Has You Grappling Down a Dark Abyss
Idols of Ash is an indie horror game that has gained attention for its premise of descending into a dark abyss with only a grappling hook while being hunted by a giant centipede. The game focuses on minimalist mechanics and player-driven fear, drawing comparisons to Dante's Inferno and Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. Its success could inspire a trend of similar single-mechanic horror experiences.
More Than a Roster Update: Why Sports Games Must Invest in Storytelling
This article argues that sports video games like NBA 2K and WWE 2K should move beyond simple roster updates and invest more in deep, RPG-style storytelling within their career modes. Implementing meaningful narratives would create stronger player connections, justify annual purchases, and provide new marketing opportunities beyond cover athletes and graphical improvements.