Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake review - the best ghost story in gaming
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake offers a mostly successful reimagining of the classic survival horror title, though it sometimes leans too heavily into action. Despite some concerns about the camera becoming too powerful and trivializing encounters, the remake retains its impressive atmosphere and terrifying moments. New story elements are well-integrated, and the lack of hand-holding is a welcome feature for modern players.
MMO Week in Review: Pre-seasoning Elder Scrolls Online
This week's MMO news roundup covers updates for Elder Scrolls Online, World of Warcraft's Midnight expansion, and previews for Final Fantasy XIV and Palia. The article also discusses player tendencies to rush MMORPG expansions and features opinions on various titles and industry issues, including comments from Jeff Kaplan regarding Activision Blizzard.
Ghost of Yōtei’s Combat Designer Says Takezo the Unrivalled Was Intended to be a “Super Boss”
Sucker Punch Productions' lead combat designer Theodore Fishman discussed the challenging optional boss Takezo the Unrivalled in Ghost of Yōtei, stating it was intended as a "super boss" to test player tactics. Art director Joanna Wang also spoke about the game's open-world design, which makes the playable space feel larger than Ghost of Tsushima through clever use of contrast. Ghost of Yōtei is available on PlayStation 5.
Donkey Kong Bananza Focused on Kong’s Raw Strength to Differentiate Him From Mario, Says Producer
Nintendo producer Kenta Motokura discussed the challenges of differentiating Donkey Kong Country Returns HD from Super Mario Odyssey, focusing on Donkey Kong's raw strength and destructive capabilities. Consultations with Shigeru Miyamoto and Yoshiaki Koizumi helped define Donkey Kong's unique characteristics, such as his longer arms and powerful actions, to create distinct gameplay experiences compared to Mario. The goal was to offer players variety by highlighting the differences between the two IPs and their respective playstyles.
Turn-Based Combat Proves It’s Not Dead in Modern JRPGs
Modern JRPGs are demonstrating that turn-based combat is far from dead, thriving in 2026 by leveraging its unique storytelling potential. While some critics argue it feels dated compared to action titles like Elden Ring, developers are evolving the mechanics to enhance narrative depth and character development. This trend suggests a growing appreciation for diverse gameplay approaches that serve different storytelling goals.
LEAVES 3 Launches Today: The Treefruities’ Final Journey Begins
Indie developer ZAR 21 has launched LEAVES 3 today on PC, concluding the whimsical LEAVES trilogy. Published by Daedalic Entertainment, the game continues the series' focus on puzzle-solving, exploration, and themes of freedom and liberation within meticulously crafted worlds. The launch marks the end of the Treefruities' journey, offering players a chance to experience the culmination of the series' narrative.
SCP-3008: Infinite Store Brings Pure Psychological Terror to Steam
SCP-3008: Infinite Store, a new psychological horror game from developer dm studio, has been released on PC via Steam. The game challenges players to survive in an endless superstore by identifying anomalies and completing shopping lists, focusing on atmosphere and psychological tension rather than combat. The developer is also engaging with the community by offering free Steam keys to early supporters.
Amazing fan concept shows off what RE9 would look like with a classic fixed camera—and I think it should make a comeback
A fan concept reimagines Resident Evil 9 with a classic fixed camera perspective, sparking discussion about its potential return. The article argues that this perspective, largely absent in modern games, could enhance tension and atmosphere in horror titles like Resident Evil 9 and Signalis.
Abubakar Salim, Surgent Studios founder and Raised by Wolves star, gives us a guided tour of his PC: 'My desktop is so bad that even my wife refuses to look at my screen'
Actor and Surgent Studios founder Abubakar Salim gives a tour of his PC setup, discussing his current games like No Rest for the Wicked and Dave the Diver. He highlights his longest-installed games as Garry's Mod and World of Warcraft, and his all-time essential game as Solitaire, reflecting on his early PC gaming experiences.
Donkey Kong Bananza devs want to make sure Mario and DK's games feel different: "Is there perhaps a slightly different kind of person that might prefer one character over the other?"
Nintendo developers aimed to differentiate Donkey Kong Country Returns from Super Mario Odyssey by focusing on distinct gameplay mechanics and character abilities. Producer Kenta Motokura explained that the team considered what unique actions Donkey Kong could perform, such as large-scale destruction, to set the game apart.
In This MMO, Characters Continue Playing Even When Players Log Off
Klang Games, comprised of EVE Online veterans, is developing Seed, an ambitious MMO where characters and the virtual society continue to evolve even when players are offline. The game features continuous simulation, dynamic societies, and player-driven economies and politics, drawing inspiration from simulation classics like The Sims and Dwarf Fortress.
Massively Overthinking: What’s the most important takeaway from the last MMORPG you quit?
The Massively OP staff discusses their experiences quitting MMORPGs, exploring reasons ranging from developer decisions and corporate agendas to limited time and a loss of personal connection. Key takeaways often involve understanding what makes a game truly engaging beyond its mechanics, with many highlighting the importance of community and shared experiences over gameplay alone.
"I really enjoy watching people die to this": Ghost of Yotei devs know you hate "super boss" Takezo "with every fiber of your being," but they think it was a roaring success
Sucker Punch Productions' lead combat designer Theodore Fishman discussed the challenging "super boss" Takezo the Unrivalled in Ghost of Tsushima: Ghost of Yotei. The developers enjoyed seeing players struggle with the difficult optional encounter, viewing its success as a positive outcome despite player frustration.
Legendary Gaming Map Hits 25 Years, Sparks Massive Nostalgia Wave
A Reddit post celebrating the 25th anniversary of a legendary gaming map has sparked a massive nostalgia wave across the community. The post highlights how great game design, even from 2001, transcends technological limitations and creates lasting cultural touchstones. This event underscores the growing importance of video game history and the enduring appeal of well-crafted virtual spaces.
Five Things You Should Do To Run A Great Curse Of Strahd Campaign
This guide offers five key recommendations for Dungeon Masters running the popular Dungeons & Dragons module, Curse of Strahd, which celebrates its tenth anniversary. It covers understanding the module's imperfections, leveraging community content, making the campaign genuinely scary, portraying Strahd effectively as a villain, and tailoring content to allow each player character to shine.
Mailbox: Senran Kagura Mysteries, First-Party Indies, Miyamoto Tragedies - Nintendo Life Letters
This Nintendo Life Mailbox feature discusses Shigeru Miyamoto's shift towards non-gaming projects like movies and theme parks, with one reader lamenting it as a potential tragedy for interactive masterpieces. The article also touches on the perceived decline in first-party published indie titles on the Nintendo Switch and the surprising popularity of Senran Kagura Burst on the site.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wins Game of the Year at Game Developers Choice Awards 2026
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive won Game of the Year at the Game Developers Choice Awards 2026. The game also secured awards for Best Narrative and Best Visual Art, marking a significant achievement for the studio's debut title.
Donkey Kong Bananza is the perfect killer app for Nintendo Switch 2 - Reader's Feature
A reader's feature praises Donkey Kong Bananza as a near-launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, calling it an incredibly fun, creative, and technically impressive experience. The game is lauded for its original gameplay, expansive level design, and satisfying mechanics, though some minor flaws like camera issues and enemy variety are noted.
iRacing Arcade Review | NoobFeed
iRacing Arcade is a unique racing game that blends arcade accessibility with simulator depth, introducing players to licensed motorsport. The game rewards player skill through its physics, whether racing starter cars or Formula GP vehicles against AI opponents.
Forget Sequels: LightSpeed Studios Is Building a Machine to Create the Next Big Gaming Worlds
LightSpeed Studios is developing a framework and advanced motion capture facility to create original intellectual property. Creative Director Feng Zhu outlined the '90:10 Balance' philosophy for world-building, grounding games in reality with fantastical elements. Industry veteran Kristin Gallagher leads the motion capture team, utilizing cutting-edge technology for complex cinematic sequences.
