Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Crimson Desert's commitment to cleaning up its clunky controls shines the brightest in how satisfying it feels to…
Crimson Desert has received significant updates since its March release, particularly addressing clunky controls and improving exploration mechanics. Pearl Abyss has made fast travel more convenient, added private storage, and refined the flying ability, making the game feel more responsive and enjoyable.
There's just no good reason why WoW's story mode raids aren't available right away—and I'm saying that as someone who cleared normal just fine last month
This opinion piece argues against the time-gating of World of Warcraft's story mode raids, suggesting they should be available immediately upon a patch's release. The author contends that this delay hinders the accessibility of the game's narrative for casual players, despite Blizzard's stated goals for The Worldsoul Saga. While acknowledging the effort in raid design, the current implementation is seen as counterproductive to experiencing the story as intended.
When is DBD 2v8 mode back?
Dead by Daylight's limited-time 2v8 mode, featuring two killers against eight survivors on larger maps with pre-built classes, is returning on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and will run until Tuesday, May 19. While specific changes for this iteration are unconfirmed, the newest killer, Henry Creel, is expected to be included. This mode does not affect player MMR but allows for earning Bloodpoints and rewards.
MMO Hype Train: EverQuest Legends, Hollowed Oath, and plundering the MMO past for its future
Two new projects, EverQuest Legends and Hollowed Oath, are emerging from the EverQuest IP, aiming to blend classic MMORPG design with modern features like improved UI and multiclassing options. EverQuest Legends is a collaboration between Daybreak Game Company and the emulation community, while Hollowed Oath is developed by the former team behind The Heroes Journey emulator. Both titles aim for more casual-friendly gameplay compared to hardcore-focused MMOs, potentially revitalizing interest in older game ideas.
Interview – How The Division: Resurgence squeezed the MMO looter shooter onto mobile
Ubisoft producer Pierre-Hughes Puechlong discusses the development and features of The Division: Resurgence, an MMO looter shooter now available on iOS and Android. The game is canon to The Division universe, set between the first two titles, and offers a familiar yet fresh experience with new factions and customizable character classes. Puechlong highlights the game's flexibility for both short and long play sessions, its team-based gameplay, and the transition to Unreal Engine for mobile.
Saros has gone gold
Housemarque is evolving the challenging formula of Returnal with their new PlayStation exclusive, Saros. Developer Gregory Louden discussed how the studio is approaching the difficulty of the game, aiming to balance its punishing nature with accessibility for players.
The Daily Grind: Are there MMORPGs you have never and will never play?
This article discusses the concept of players deciding they will never play certain MMORPGs, even if they have never tried them. It poses the question to readers about whether they have specific MMORPGs they have never played and have no intention of playing, distinguishing this from games they have played and decided not to return to.
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This article discusses the ambiguity between bugs and features in video games, using the concept of 'leaving the playable area' as an example. It suggests that such occurrences can sometimes be perceived as intentional design choices rather than errors.
It turns out Crimson Desert has even more mechanics under the hood—like this 'fully-designed food consequence…
A mod for Crimson Desert has revealed a fully designed, but unused, food consequence system that Pearl Abyss cut from the game. This system included 50 food skills across 15 categories, offering various buffs, resistances, and even immunity to certain status effects. The mod also indicates that more powerful foods would have introduced negative consequences like drunkenness and food poisoning.
The Rumored New Star Fox Game Needs This One Big Change If It's Going To Succeed
A rumored new Star Fox game for the Switch 2 could succeed by incorporating roguelike elements inspired by Hades 2, adding variety and replayability to the classic on-rails shooter formula. This approach would allow for permanent upgrades and varied runs, potentially making the game more appealing in the modern market.
Marathon's upcoming balance patches take aim at godlike knives, strong snipers and ubiquitous shields, while adding some SECRET items
Bungie is preparing balance patches for Marathon to address overpowered elements like knives, snipers, and bubble shields. Director Joe Ziegler announced that upcoming updates will adjust these outliers based on player feedback. The patches will also introduce new secret items, including one for solo players and another for crew interactions.
The Division Resurgence developer says they're 'very satisfied with the touch controls' of the 'more…
Fabrice Navrez, executive producer for The Division Resurgence, expressed satisfaction with the game's touch controls, emphasizing that players can also opt for controller support. He believes the tactical, cover-based gameplay of The Division is well-suited for mobile devices, allowing for more deliberate pacing compared to traditional shooters. The team iterated extensively on touch controls and combat mechanics to ensure a refined experience for mobile players.
Opus Magnum Player Shows Off Their Ultimate Puzzle Creation
A player named LordHayati shared their favorite intricate puzzle creation from the Zachtronics game Opus Magnum on Reddit. The article highlights the game's appeal as a creative playground for mechanical engineering and problem-solving, noting its enduring community despite being released in 2017.
Low Guard news - Blade Ballad
The latest update for Blade Ballad (Version 0.7.0) removes manual weapon rotation and shields, introducing a streamlined combat system focused on parries, beats, and low guards. This change aims to make sword fighting more intuitive and realistic, moving away from complex controls and towards a system that emphasizes recognizing attack types and timing defensive maneuvers.
Games Inbox: What score would you give the PS5 out of 10?
Readers discuss their scores for the PlayStation 5, with opinions ranging from 5/10 to 9/10, questioning its legacy compared to the PlayStation 4. The article also touches on reactions to the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the potential for a Smash Bros. film, and the design of Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons.
Life Is Strange: Reunion review – my view as a long-time fan of Max and Chloe
Life Is Strange: Reunion is a narrative adventure that attempts to recapture the magic of the original by reuniting Max and Chloe, but ultimately falls short due to underdeveloped mechanics and narrative inconsistencies. Despite a strong focus on nostalgia and character moments, the game struggles with player agency and retcons previous story elements, making it a disappointing conclusion for the franchise. It is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Every Crimson Desert Puzzle Feels Like a New Mental Test
This article discusses the intricate and often challenging puzzle design within Crimson Desert, highlighting how the game expects players to deduce solutions without explicit guidance. While this approach can be refreshing and immersive, it also risks frustrating players who may lack the time or patience for such demanding mental tests. The author contrasts this with more traditional open-world puzzles and notes that while the ambition is commendable, the execution can sometimes lead to friction between player patience and the game's design.
ARC Raiders Production Director Asserts That “Players Shouldn’t Feel Safe”
Embark Studios production director Caio Braga stated that players of ARC Raiders should not feel completely safe, even in cooperative "Care Bear" lobbies. The game's design intentionally encourages unpredictability and potential betrayal to maintain a constant sense of threat. This approach is informed by player feedback, which shows a dynamic between cooperative and competitive playstyles.
Why Crimson Desert’s Story Feels So Disjointed
This article analyzes the disjointed narrative of Crimson Desert, attributing its shortcomings to the game's shifting development goals and ambitious scope. While the open world and side content are praised, the main story struggles with cohesion between its various plot threads and characters, such as Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka. Voice actor Alex Newman's comments further highlight the challenges faced during development.
Crimson Desert’s “Opposite” Design to Other Open-World Games Helped Success, Says Arkane Lyon Boss
Arkane Lyon studio director Dinga Bakaba believes Crimson Desert's success stems from its "opposite" design to typical open-world games, front-loading "gameyness" before introducing its magical elements. Released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, the game has sold 4 million copies, with Pearl Abyss providing consistent post-launch support.
