Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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The Daily Grind: What was the first MMO you ever got disillusioned with and why?
The author discusses their first experience of disillusionment with the MMORPG EverQuest, contrasting it with Ultima Online. While initially drawn to EverQuest's 3D graphics, the gameplay loop ultimately failed to meet expectations, leading to disappointment.
Crimson Desert's Standout Feature is That It's Crimson Desert - IGN
Crimson Desert is an ambitious but janky open-world action RPG from Pearl Abyss that blends numerous genre tropes while striving for a unique identity. Despite technical issues and a demanding combat system, its stunning visuals and expansive gameplay offer a generous and potentially long-lasting experience, though its design may divide players.
Bungie admits Marathon's weekend-heavy endgame means 'there are likely some who cannot participate'
Bungie has acknowledged player feedback regarding Marathon's weekend-exclusive endgame activities, Ranked mode and Cryo Archive. Game director Joe Ziegler explained the design choices behind the schedule, which aim to manage gear loss, economy, and player queues. While the team is iterating and open to future adjustments, Ziegler noted that the current structure inherently limits participation for those unable to play during the weekend.
Crimson Desert | Critical Consensus
Crimson Desert has received a mixed critical reception, with a Metacritic score of 78. Reviewers praise its combat and expansive open world, but criticize its underdeveloped story and characters, as well as systemic complexity and UI issues. Despite these flaws, the game is considered a frequently thrilling experience with a world worth exploring.
Open-World Strategy RPG Crown and Adventure Major Update Release! Strategy Gameplay“Conqueror's Path”Showcase
Crown and Adventure, an open-world strategy RPG, has released a major update titled "Conqueror's Path." This update overhauls the core mode to focus on territorial expansion and randomized elements, introduces innovative character progression with Global Unit Proficiency and Random Specialization, and optimizes legion management and battlefield command systems. The game is available on PC via Steam.
If there's one thing I've learned playing Crimson Desert for 75 hours, it's that you should absolutely…
After 75 hours with Crimson Desert, it's clear the game is best savored rather than rushed. Players are encouraged to explore its open world, engage with its sandbox elements, and build their community rather than solely focusing on the main story. This approach allows for a more rewarding and therapeutic experience, with the game's systems and progression becoming more enjoyable when discovered organically.
Into The Breach Still Owns Every Other Tactics Game in 2026
Into The Breach continues to be considered the pinnacle of turn-based tactics games, even years after its 2018 release. Its perfect information system, diverse mech squads, and focus on strategic positioning over luck are highlighted as key strengths. The game's design emphasizes player intelligence and skill development, offering deep replayability through mastery rather than content padding.
Crimson Desert Review (PC) | Cloud Dosage
Pearl Abyss's Crimson Desert features impressive visuals and combat mechanics, but its narrative and side content do not consistently match the quality of the core gameplay. The game is available on PC.
Crimson Desert öppnar med Steam-peak på nära en kvarts miljon – och kritik
Crimson Desert has launched on PC with a peak of nearly 240,000 players on Steam, though player reception is mixed with only 57% positive reviews. Criticisms include clunky controls, a confusing UI, and an uninspired story, while praise is given for its impressive world scale and technical competence.
Shenmue III Enhanced Revealed With Trailer, New Features, and Platforms
Shenmue III Enhanced has been revealed with a new trailer detailing performance upgrades, visual enhancements, and new features for the updated release. It will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with pre-orders now open for standard, Special, and Collector's Editions. The update includes optional gameplay tweaks, accessibility options, and a classic camera mode inspired by earlier titles in the series.
Director of One of 2024's Best Games Says, "Expect the Unexpected" Ahead of Upcoming Reveal - IGN
Sunset Visitor, the developer behind the acclaimed 2024 game 1000xResist, has announced a new project reveal at the Triple-I Showcase on April 9. Studio founder Remy Siu hinted that the new game will continue the team's tradition of unexpected and unconventional design, drawing inspiration from theater and games like NieR:Automata. The showcase will feature announcements for several high-profile indie titles.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Art Director Says “Quite A Few Features” Will Carry Over to Future Titles
Assassin's Creed Shadows Art Director Thierry Dansereau stated that "quite a few features" from the game, including the Atmos weather system and ray-traced global illumination, will be incorporated into future Assassin's Creed titles. He highlighted improvements in parkour, stealth, and combat systems as part of the game's legacy for the franchise.
Saros Lets You Disable Most Permanent Unlocks for Even More Challenge
Saros, the spiritual successor to Returnal, will offer players significant control over its difficulty, including the option to disable most permanent unlocks. Housemarque aims to provide players with more agency rather than simply offering standard difficulty settings. The game launches on April 30th for PlayStation 5 and features new additions like The Passage and biome teleportation.
Diablo 4 game director believes it's 'normal' for most action RPGs to undergo major reworks: 'Friction points that we could never imagine suddenly rear their heads over the course of 10,000 hours'
Diablo 4's game director believes that major reworks and system changes are normal for action RPGs due to the extensive playtime players invest. He explained that friction points players encounter over thousands of hours often necessitate these transitions. The paragon system was cited as an example of a feature that may need future adjustments.
Crimson Desert guide: Tips, puzzle solutions, bosses, and confusing UI explained
Crimson Desert is a complex game with a large map and a confusing UI, making it difficult to navigate features like mining, skill trees, and trading. This guide provides tips, puzzle solutions, boss strategies, and explanations for the game's intricate systems to help players get started in Pywel.
Donkey Kong Bananza programmer suggests using the Switch 2 platformer as destructive meditation: "Focus on your thinking as you're just mindlessly destroying the game"
Donkey Kong Bananza programmer Tatsuya Kurihara suggests playing the game as a form of destructive meditation, focusing on one's thoughts while mindlessly destroying levels. This approach is seen as an alternative way to enjoy the game, beyond its core gameplay.
'We're playing game designs from 2005 still': Caves of Qud's co-creator wants to build new kinds of sicko gameplay systems that'll use all the processing potential being left untapped
Caves of Qud co-creator Brian Bucklew believes current game development, particularly in the AAA space, is not fully utilizing the processing and networking capabilities of modern hardware. He suggests future games could explore more complex systems and simulations by leveraging untapped CPU potential, potentially leading to experiences that are initially demanding but will become more accessible over time, similar to Caves of Qud's own development trajectory.
MLB The Show 26 Review – The Numbers Don’t Lie
MLB The Show 26 offers a refined baseball simulation experience, focusing on the sport's statistical depth and psychological warfare between pitcher and batter. While not a radical reinvention, it introduces improvements to stat delivery, hitting interfaces, and career modes like Road to the Show and Franchise Mode. The game remains a benchmark for authenticity, particularly on PlayStation 5, with its ability to capture the rhythm and tactical complexity of baseball.
SVG REVIEW Showgunners
Showgunners is a highly enjoyable tactical turn-based game that excels in its execution of familiar mechanics, earning an 8.5 out of 10. While it doesn't introduce groundbreaking concepts, its solid gameplay, engaging characters, and well-paced campaign make it a standout experience. The reviewer recommends skipping the DLC due to its tedious nature.
"We're not perfectly replicating the real world, that would be crazy": The invisible design behind Firewatch's pine cones and picture frames
This article analyzes the subtle yet impactful design choices in Firewatch, focusing on how interactive elements like pine cones and picture frames convey character and narrative. Developer Campo Santo intentionally differentiated object interactions to create a tangible and grounded world, contrasting physics-based objects with those that return to a 'put back spot' to match player intention and character behavior.
