Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Diablo 4 Season 16 is delivering some great upgrades to the endgame
Blizzard Entertainment is preparing to launch the Public Test Realm for Diablo 4 Season 16, introducing significant upgrades to the game's endgame system, particularly the War Plans feature. This update aims to provide more structure and player agency in endgame activities, including War Plan Tactics for activity selection and Tyrael's Boons for seasonal bonuses. The PTR will also feature new endgame bosses and loot modifications.
Stranger Than Heaven is Dialing Down RGG’s Absurdity for A More “Serious” Take on Japan
Stranger Than Heaven director Mikinobu Abe discussed a tonal shift away from the absurdity often found in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's Yakuza titles, aiming for a more serious take on Japan's history. The game will explore Makoto Daito's rags-to-riches story across nearly half a century, focusing on the social norms and values of past eras. The title is set to release on January 15th, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
GTA 6 Is Almost Here – And I Still Can’t Believe It
After a thirteen-year wait since Grand Theft Auto V, the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI feels almost unreal, with its release now just a month away. The article expresses excitement for the new Rockstar-designed world of Leonidas City, highlighting advancements in car design, ray tracing, and the potential for endless emergent gameplay. The author anticipates the game will justify the long wait and deliver on player expectations for innovation and immersive experiences.
Only one person on Earth can play this Steam game at a time: "When it is your turn, you control it for one…
Jono, a unique social game from developer Part Time Monkey, has launched on Steam. The pixel art platformer features deterministic physics and a 'massively singleplayer' design where only one player can control the game for one minute at a time, with others watching in a live stream overlay. The game is free-to-play and aims for players to collectively complete 1 million levels.
EA Has A New Plan For Madden, And It Leans Into Everything The Company Gets Wrong
Electronic Arts is planning a new 'social-first open-world experience' for its American Football games, tentatively called Project Gridiron, which aims to emulate NBA 2K's successful 'The City' mode. However, the article argues that EA's history of lacking patience, authentic voice, and community goodwill, coupled with its aggressive monetization strategies, makes it unlikely to succeed where NBA 2K has thrived. The piece highlights EA's past failures with similar modes and its tendency to abandon features, suggesting Project Gridiron is set up for disappointment.
Zelda: Ocarina of Time on N64 actually had a jump button early in development, 29 years before Nintendo's remake…
A newly resurfaced interview reveals that the original Nintendo 64 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time featured a dedicated jump button during early development, a feature that has reappeared in the upcoming remake. Developers Satoru Iwata and Yoshiaki Koizumi discussed how the decision to remove the jump button was influenced by a desire to emphasize puzzle elements over action.
WoW: Forever Is Keeping Its Secrets Close To The Chest
Blizzard Entertainment stated that World of Warcraft: Forever still holds many secrets that were intentionally kept hidden during the beta phase. Senior game designer Josh Greenfield confirmed that some items and secrets were disabled, with more to be discovered at launch and beyond. Lead encounter designer Michael Nuthals also hinted at future content, with potential for new dungeons and raids planned for next year.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 w/Devs – Campaign, Multiplayer, DMZ, and More | Official XBOX Podcast
Developers from Infinity Ward discuss the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, detailing its campaign set on the Korean Peninsula, the new DMZ extraction mode, and innovations in multiplayer like the Kill Block and Gunsmith systems. The interview highlights the team's dedication to authenticity and player experience, with a special mention of the 'Xbox Blueprint' cosmetic for the M4 weapon.
Vague Patch Notes: The struggle to review MMORPGs, now and forever
Reviewing MMORPGs presents unique challenges due to their constantly changing nature, slow pace, and heavy reliance on player interaction. The article highlights how factors like open PvP and the social dynamics of forming or joining groups make objective evaluation difficult, suggesting that any review of an MMORPG is inherently provisional.
Stranger Than Heaven director says 'it was really important' for RGG that 'the player experience the whole life of a man' and that the story's 50-year timeline was essential to depicting how a yakuza organization is built
Mikinobu Abe, director of Stranger Than Heaven, explained RGG Studios' decision to tell the game's 50-year yakuza story within a single title. He emphasized that depicting the entire life of the protagonist, Makoto Daito, was crucial for conveying how such an organization is built, making a multi-game approach unsuitable.
Rapport: Beyond Good & Evil 2 är nu en "solo först"-upplevelse
Recent reports suggest that Beyond Good & Evil 2 has shifted its focus from multiplayer to a "solo first" experience, though co-op will still be available. The game's combat is reportedly similar to Insomniac's Spider-Man titles. This change in direction is seen as positive for the long-delayed project.
Games Inbox: What is BioWare’s best game?
Readers express concern over the future of BioWare, with many citing EA's management as a detrimental factor. Mass Effect 2 is highlighted as a past peak for the studio, while other readers discuss the aging mechanics of The Witcher 3 Remastered and the uncertain future of console gaming.
GTA 6 – 15 More Details You Won’t Want to Miss (Part 4)
Rockstar Games continues to reveal details about Grand Theft Auto 6, with the latest information focusing on in-game audio features like personal music playback via phones and on-demand podcasts. The article also touches on the game's radio stations, celebrity voice actors, the development process, character nuances, and the political landscape of the game's setting.
Control Resonant – Why Gamers Keep Coming Back for More
Control: Resonant has achieved significant success, selling one million copies in just three weeks, making it Remedy Entertainment's fastest-selling game. The article attributes this success to its engaging melee-focused combat system, a dynamic Manhattan environment, and innovative traversal mechanics that appeal to both new and returning players.
GTA 2 – 27 Years Later, Does It Still Hold Up?
This analysis examines Grand Theft Auto 2, 27 years after its release, to understand its foundational impact on the franchise's enduring success. Despite its aged mechanics, the game's design, including its distinctive setting of Anywhere City and the Gang Respect system, laid the groundwork for core gameplay loops and the chaotic, reactive open-world elements that have become hallmarks of subsequent Grand Theft Auto titles.
Screamer's game director discusses Single Stick driving and character balance
Milestone's Game Director Federico Cardini discussed recent updates to their racing game, Screamer, focusing on the addition of a new Single Stick control scheme for improved accessibility and adjustments to character balance. He emphasized the team's commitment to listening to player feedback and ensuring a positive experience for both new and existing players.
GTA 6 Will Feature Lots Of Small Details Like Red Dead’s Dynamic Horse Testicle Physics
New details about Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal a focus on granular details, similar to Red Dead Redemption II's dynamic horse testicles. The game will feature narrower roads, denser traffic, and a deliberate approach to realism balanced with arcade fun. Rockstar Games experienced challenging development periods between 2019-2022 due to COVID-19 and internal discussions on game design.
Stranger Than Heaven director says RGG 'intentionally' forgot about Yakuza to create 'something new' — 'Every single aspect of it, we started thinking about it from scratch, just to suit the style of Stranger Than Heaven'
Mikinobu Abe, director of Stranger Than Heaven, stated that RGG Studio intentionally distanced the game from its Yakuza and Like a Dragon franchises to create a distinct experience. The team started development from scratch, rethinking every aspect from maps and UI to narrative and cutscenes, to suit the unique style of Stranger Than Heaven. The game is set to launch on January 15, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
I'm not surprised by how much Yakuza DNA is in Stranger Than Heaven, but I am shocked by how much I love it
Stranger Than Heaven, the latest project from Yakuza developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, blends familiar themes of found family with ambitious storytelling structures. The game explores identity and belonging through the life of protagonist Makoto Daito across multiple eras, featuring a combat system that feels akin to a fighting game and detailed minigames like music composition and show business management.
From Slots to Skill Trees: Where Xbox and Casino Games Meet
This article analyzes the intersection of Xbox games and casino mechanics, particularly focusing on how elements like wheelspins in Forza Horizon 6 borrow from slot machines. It contrasts these with progression systems in games like Starfield and Sea of Thieves, which lack random elements. The piece clarifies that while games may use casino-like staging, they are not gambling products unless real money can be withdrawn, a distinction highlighted by regulatory frameworks in places like Ontario.
