Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Frustrated with GTA 6 leaks, Rockstar fans dig up Gabe Newell's "I play games to have fun" rant – and miss the most important part
Following Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks that suggest a realistic fuel system, fans have resurfaced a Gabe Newell quote about realism in games. The article discusses Newell's definition of fun in games as player choice recognition and response, contrasting it with the potential tedium of hyper-realism. It also touches on how games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Baldur's Gate 3 utilize player agency and systemic interactions.
Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki has good news for anyone worried about PvP in The Duskbloods: he sucks at it too, and you don't "have to be great at PvP in order to win"
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that he is not particularly skilled at PvP combat in games, including The Duskbloods. He assured players that a high level of PvP proficiency is not required to win, as the game will offer customization options and companion characters to assist players who prefer a less intense combat experience.
League of Legends Classic patch 2 has no new champions, but adding more is Riot's top priority
League of Legends Classic patch 2 will not introduce new champions, but Riot Games prioritizes their release in future updates, with patch 3 expected to feature multiple new additions. This update focuses on balance tweaks, increased progression speed, and the return of champion and role swapping, alongside community voting and art improvements.
The most profound objective in any Halo series was 'spiritually inspired' by the nuke sequence in Modern…
Niles Sankey, a designer for Halo: Reach, revealed that the campaign was heavily inspired by Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 1 and 2. Specifically, the 'Objective Survive' mission in Halo: Reach drew spiritual inspiration from the nuke sequence in Modern Warfare 2, aiming to create a similarly impactful and emotionally resonant experience.
Miyazaki says FromSoftware obviously isn't done with singleplayer games despite the combo of Elden Ring: Nightreign…
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki clarified that the studio's focus remains on single-player content, despite the success of multiplayer-oriented titles like Elden Ring: Nightreign and the upcoming The Duskbloods. He stated that the simultaneous release of these games was coincidental and not indicative of a shift in direction. Miyazaki expressed enjoyment in developing multiplayer experiences but reaffirmed the company's commitment to its core single-player RPG roots.
Overworld Armor Tier List [Best Sets and Pieces]
This guide provides an Overworld Armor Tier List, ranking armor sets and individual pieces from best to worst based on their stats and how to acquire them. The list categorizes armor into S, A, B, C, and D tiers, detailing their resistances, damage bonuses, and required combat levels or crafting skills.
Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake needs to break tradition to justify its existence
This article argues that a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time must innovate beyond a simple graphical update to justify its existence, especially given its historical significance and the current gaming landscape. It suggests potential enhancements like playable Zelda, expanded world activities, and incorporating elements from Breath of the Wild, drawing parallels to Capcom's successful Resident Evil remakes.
The Duskbloods is a Switch 2 exclusive because Nintendo was the "right partner" and "very receptive" to FromSoftware's weird idea, says Hidetaka Miyazaki
Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that FromSoftware's upcoming game, The Duskbloods, is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive because Nintendo was receptive to the studio's unique ideas. He highlighted Nintendo's strengths in player onboarding and feedback as crucial for the game's complex systems. This marks FromSoftware's first day-one release on a Nintendo console since Lost Kingdoms 2 in 2003.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots review
This review examines the PC Master Collection port of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, praising its improved 4K resolution and 60 fps performance over the original PlayStation 3 release. While the game's second half is criticized for pacing issues and excessive cutscenes, the first half is lauded for its intricate stealth gameplay and Hideo Kojima's unique storytelling.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Features Coco Since It Fits Sora’s Story The Best, Says Nomura
Kingdom Hearts 4 director Tetsuya Nomura explained that the inclusion of the world from Disney's Coco was chosen because its themes of the Land of the Dead best fit Sora's story progression. The game is slated for a late 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, with no planned delays. Co-director Tai Yasue also confirmed King Mickey will be a playable character with puzzle-based gameplay distinct from Sora's adventure.
The Duskbloods Has No Connection to Bloodborne, Says Director
Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has stated that FromSoftware's upcoming game, The Duskbloods, has no connection to Bloodborne, despite similarities in title and visual style. Miyazaki expressed regret over using the word "blood" in the title due to frequent comparisons. While the network test may not reveal much lore, the full release will clarify the differences between the two games. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida also commented on the lack of a PlayStation 5 or PC version for Bloodborne. The Duskbloods is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive featuring PvPvE gameplay, though FromSoftware will continue to develop single-player titles.
The Duskbloods is Exclusive to Switch 2 Because Nintendo was “The Right Partner”, Says Director
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki explained that The Duskbloods is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 because Nintendo was the "right partner," offering significant support and feedback throughout development. Miyazaki highlighted Nintendo's strengths in player onboarding and conveying complex game mechanics, which is crucial for the unique systems in The Duskbloods. He also clarified that the game has no direct connection to Bloodborne, despite the similar naming conventions.
Massively Overthinking: What did your favorite MMORPG add to the genre?
This article discusses whether popular MMORPGs have truly innovated within the genre or simply built upon existing foundations. Several writers share their favorite MMORPGs and analyze their contributions, with Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and Guild Wars being highlighted for their significant impacts on social gameplay, economies, and business models.
Halo: Reach Designer Reveals that Modern Warfare Series Were a 'Huge' Inspiration for Bungie
Niles Sankey, a designer for Halo: Reach, revealed that the game drew significant inspiration from the first two Call of Duty: Modern Warfare titles. This influence is noted as a major factor in Bungie's design choices for Halo: Reach.
Big Walk’s Ending Delivered A Gut Punch I Never Saw Coming
This article discusses the emotional impact of Big Walk's ending, which uses a co-op puzzle mechanic to simulate children leaving home. The author reflects on how the game's bittersweet conclusion resonated with their own experiences as a parent, making it a memorable and meaningful gaming experience.
Changing From 3 Players To 4 Was A Bigger Challenge For Aliens Fireteam Elite 2 Than You Might Expect
Aliens Fireteam Elite 2 is shifting from a three-player co-op structure to accommodate four players, a change that presented significant design challenges. Developers Jake Kriegman and Chris Cross explained that increasing the player count required more enemies, larger play spaces, and rebalancing of class abilities to maintain a satisfying gameplay experience. The game is set to launch on August 25 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a Nintendo Switch version to follow.
Even after Elden Ring exploded, Hidetaka Miyazaki says FromSoftware doesn't make games for anyone: "The motivation is that this is a game I want to see exist"
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki states the studio creates games based on their own desires rather than targeting specific audiences. Despite Elden Ring's massive success, the studio has released varied titles like Armored Core 6 and multiplayer-focused games such as Elden Ring Nightreign and The Duskbloods, emphasizing that their core motivation remains making games they want to see exist, with a continued focus on single-player content.
Fortnite Override Season Brings Sonic, Mega Man, Tetris, Pac-Man and More | Invision Game Community
Epic Games has launched the Fortnite Override season, introducing a significant amount of crossover content featuring iconic gaming characters and elements. This season includes Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man, Tetris, and Pac-Man, with gameplay-altering items like Sonic Power Sneakers and the Mega Buster. The season also celebrates Sonic's 35th anniversary and promises further collaborations throughout its run.
Planet Zoo 2 Feature Focus Highlights Creativity and New Animal Species | Invision Game Community
Frontier Developments released a new video focusing on the creative building tools and new animal species in Planet Zoo 2. The game will feature extensive customization options for zoo design, including piece-by-piece construction and blueprints, alongside animals like the Western Lowland Gorilla and Meerkats. Planet Zoo 2 is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with Standard and Deluxe editions available.
Halo co-creator thinks "many of you would not like" his ideas for a "darker" PvPvE sequel, including…
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto shared his ideas for a darker, more grounded Halo sequel that would feature a PvPvE structure and potentially alter existing lore. He acknowledged that these concepts might not appeal to the current fanbase and that Xbox owner Microsoft may not be interested in pursuing them.
