Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Cyberpunk TCG Already Feels Unlike Any Other Card Game Out There, and I Can't Wait to Play More - IGN
Cyberpunk TCG, a new trading card game based on Cyberpunk 2077, is preparing for its Kickstarter launch on March 17. The game incorporates unique mechanics such as dice rolls for "street cred" and a win condition based on dice possession rather than life points. It also features a distinct card system inspired by Cyberpunk 2077's skill trees and a novel approach to summoning Legend cards.
"People were just not ready for" Starfield, says game's composer as he talks "visionary" Todd Howard
Starfield's composer Inon Zur believes players were not ready for the game's unique vision, comparing it to other visionary projects that took time to be understood. He praised Bethesda boss Todd Howard as a creative force and expressed confidence that Starfield will eventually achieve legendary status. Zur also touched upon his extensive work with Bethesda and his approach to game music.
What is Crimson Desert and why is it getting so much buzz?
Crimson Desert, an open-world action RPG from Pearl Abyss, is generating significant buzz ahead of its March 19, 2026 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game, set in the same universe as Black Desert Online, features a protagonist named Kliff and combines elements of Devil May Cry combat with exploration akin to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a world reminiscent of The Witcher 3. The game's ambition, its proprietary BlackSpace engine, and impressive trailers have contributed to the hype.
Storyboard: The challenges of breaking into a calcified MMORPG roleplaying community
This opinion piece discusses the challenges of integrating into established MMORPG roleplaying communities. While existing members are often welcoming, the depth of pre-existing character dynamics and storylines can make it difficult for newcomers to find a meaningful place. The author suggests that new players can act as bridges between isolated groups, fostering new connections and stories within the community.
How Black Ops Royale is Reviving a Fan-Favorite Call of Duty Experience
Call of Duty: Warzone introduces Black Ops Royale, a new battle royale mode inspired by Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's Blackout. Available now on the Avalon map, it supports 100 players across 25 squads with no loadouts, buy stations, or Gulag, emphasizing scavenging for loot and upgrades. Game Director Pete Actipis discusses modernizing classic features and balancing the experience for both new and veteran players.
Donkey Kong Bananza Developers on Voxels, Sandboxes, and a Delicious Bacon Burger Prototype - IGN
Donkey Kong Bananza developers Kenta Motokura and Tatsuya Kurihara discuss the game's voxel technology, sandbox research, and the evolution of its destructive gameplay mechanics. They also touch upon early prototypes, including a bacon burger concept, and the challenges of designing destructible environments for the Nintendo Switch.
Arc Raiders' old machine designs sound so diabolical, it's no wonder they were reworked or removed after poor playtest feedback: 'At that time, they didn't fit with the game very well'
Embark Studios' extraction shooter Arc Raiders underwent significant changes to its machine designs and AI due to poor playtest feedback. Production director Caio Braga discussed how enemies like Hornet, Sentinels, and Fireballs were reworked to be more understandable and balanced, with some original concepts being removed entirely because they did not fit the evolving game vision.
STORMIND GAMES REVEALS REMOTHERED: RED NUN’S LEGACY FOR PC & CONSOLES
Stormind Games announced Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy, the third installment in the survival horror franchise, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The game aims to provide a conclusion to the series' story, introducing new gameplay mechanics and a refreshed vision. The studio emphasized their commitment to the community and the franchise's roots.
1348 Ex Voto review - Kingdom Come: Deliverance in medieval Italy
1348 Ex Voto is an action-adventure game set in 14th century Italy that struggles to live up to its potential, offering a beautiful but hollow world. The combat system is repetitive and frustrating, and the game suffers from performance issues on PC, making it an inferior experience compared to Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
The Loneliness of Friendslop
The article discusses the 'friendslop' genre of low-budget multiplayer games, exploring how they can paradoxically create feelings of loneliness despite their social focus. While games like Lethal Company and PEAK effectively use mechanics like proximity chat to enhance gameplay and emergent moments, YapYap is criticized for lacking engaging cooperative mechanics, making the inherent loneliness of the genre feel unrewarding. The author suggests that successful friendslop games leverage environmental design and player interaction, whether cooperative or competitive, to turn isolation into a meaningful part of the experience.
Final Fantasy XII: Random Battles or Necessary Encounters?
This article discusses how Final Fantasy XII's removal of random battles mirrors life's challenges, suggesting that unavoidable trials, like those in the game, serve to build character and foster growth. It encourages readers to embrace difficulties with joy, drawing parallels to biblical passages about facing trials.
Tell Us if You Love or Hate Stupid Never Dies, the Most Divisive Action RPG Coming to PS5
Stupid Never Dies, a fast-paced action RPG from developer GPTRACK50 and producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi, is set to launch on PlayStation 5 later this year. The game features a vivid pop-punk aesthetic, rapid progression, and chaotic combat, with players controlling a zombie aiming to revive his girlfriend. Its divisive nature is highlighted, with potential for both strong praise and criticism.
Nintendo: Donkey Kong Bananza wouldn’t be as fun if you were destroying basic blocks, so we made it beautiful
Tatsuya Kurihara, a programmer for Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza, discussed the game's development at GDC. The team found that destroying generic blocks was not fun, but smashing beautiful environments provided a greater sense of satisfaction, leading them to focus on creating destructible, aesthetically pleasing worlds.
'It was supposed to be the greatest time ever': Jeff Kaplan only got 6 weeks to come up with and pitch Overwatch: 'We were probably the most demoralised we'd ever been'
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed that the team had only six weeks to develop and pitch the game after the cancellation of the MMO Titan. Despite the immense pressure and demoralization, the team was tasked with creating a game that could ship in two years and achieve World of Warcraft-like revenue. Ultimately, Overwatch was chosen as the most realistic pitch, with elements inspired by old Titan concepts and even Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
The BAFTA Games Awards 2026 nominees have been announced: here are the front-runners for the most awards, including Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, the game we called 'staggeringly beautiful' and 'wonderfully stylish'
The nominations for the 22nd BAFTA Games Awards 2026 have been announced, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading with 12 nominations. Dispatch, Ghost of Yotei, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach also received multiple nominations. The awards ceremony will take place on April 17, 2026.
The first thing Arc Raiders' devs did during its extraction pivot was to reduce the speed of everything by 60%: 'All the craft that was in the game was kind of background noise'
Embark Studios significantly altered the core gameplay of Arc Raiders by reducing player movement speed by 60%, shifting from a fast-paced boss-killing focus to a more deliberate experience. This change, inspired by their work on The Finals and previous PvP titles, aimed to make player actions more impactful and less like background noise.
Ghost of Yotei isn't bigger than Ghost of Tsushima, but "it feels larger" because Sucker Punch tricked…
Sucker Punch art director Joanna Wang explained that while Ghost of Yotei feels larger than Ghost of Tsushima, the actual playable space is similar. The studio used environmental design and backdrops to create a greater sense of scale. The game was released for PlayStation 5.
Donkey Kong Bananza's Best Feature Went "Too Far," Dev Says
A developer for Donkey Kong Bananza stated that the game's most destructive feature, the Elephant Bananza transformation, may have gone "too far" but is ultimately fun. Producer Kenta Motokura also commented on the coincidence of elephants appearing in both Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, noting their different design goals.
Donkey Kong Bananza Began As A Goomba With Giant Fists
Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza originated from a prototype inspired by Super Mario Odyssey's destructible environments. Initially, the prototype featured a Goomba with giant fists, testing the core mechanic of smashing through terrain. The game utilizes voxel technology to create highly destructible environments, with nearly everything in the game being breakable.
BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations revealed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads in nine categories
The nominations for the 2026 BAFTA Game Awards have been revealed, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading with 12 nominations, including Best Game. Other notable nominees for Best Game include Dispatch and Ghost of Yōtei. The awards ceremony will take place on April 17, 2026, in London.
