Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Beast of Reincarnation is a Pokemon soulslike minus the souls, and all the better for it
Beast of Reincarnation offers a challenging action-RPG experience inspired by soulslike games but with a unique twist: players retain their inventory upon defeat, removing the typical penalty of losing currency. This approach, running on PlayStation 5, provides a more accessible yet still demanding combat system, drawing comparisons to titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3, while diverging from the typical Game Freak formula seen in Pokémon games.
The Soapbox: Online games just can’t bet on success
This opinion piece argues that developers of live service games should stop betting on guaranteed success and instead focus on delivering complete, polished experiences at launch. The author uses examples like Iron Harvest, Anthem, and Wolcen to illustrate the pitfalls of unfinished stories and overly ambitious projects. The article suggests that a more realistic approach, prioritizing a solid core experience with plans for future expansion, is more sustainable and beneficial for both developers and players, citing Valheim as a positive example.
Legends never die: League of Legends in 2026
This opinion piece reflects on the seven-year journey with League of Legends, highlighting its enduring popularity as a premier MOBA despite a complex relationship with the game. The author discusses the game's evolution, including its monetization strategies, balance changes, and the upcoming 'League Next' update, while praising Riot Games' increased transparency and community engagement.
Marvel's Wolverine Performance Mode will run at 60fps with ray tracing on PS5, Insomniac confirms — 'It's the default mode for the first time for us in one of our games. It’s important for the presentation'
Insomniac Games has confirmed that Marvel's Wolverine will feature a Performance Mode running at 60 frames-per-second with ray tracing enabled on the PlayStation 5. This will be the default mode for the game, a first for the studio, aiming for a smoother presentation. The game is set to launch exclusively on PS5 on September 16.
Podd-dags: Sulfur-utvecklaren om balansgången: ”Why do you hate fun?”
Anton Albiin from Swedish studio Perfect Random discusses the development of their game Sulfur, a unique blend of FPS, roguelike, and 2D vector graphics. The interview covers the game's journey to Early Access, balancing challenge with fun, and fan engagement.
Insomniac admits there's no lore reason Logan's suit in Marvel's Wolverine regenerates: 'You can't play through most of the game wearing just shredded rags on his body'
Insomniac Games has explained that Logan's suit in Marvel's Wolverine regenerates for practical reasons, stating players cannot spend most of the game in shredded rags. Head of technology Mike Fitzgerald noted the need to balance reflecting brutal combat with maintaining a cinematic superhero feel. The team invested significant effort in damage progression for suits and enemies, including realistic fluid dynamics for blood effects.
The Blood of Dawnwalker har fått en "allt du behöver veta"-video
Rebel Wolves, a studio featuring former CD Projekt Red developers, has released an "everything you need to know" video for their upcoming action RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker. The video details the game's world, story, and mechanics, including a 30-day time limit that is divided into 16 parts per day. The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch on September 3rd for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
The Blood of the Dawnwalker Gameplay Trailer Explains Everything You Need to Know — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
The Blood of the Dawnwalker is an open-world action RPG from Rebel Wolves that features significant player choice and a day/night cycle that alters gameplay mechanics. Players control Coen, a Dawnwalker who becomes a vampire at night, with distinct combat styles for each period. The game, built in Unreal Engine 5, will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on September 3.
Why I love my gaming notebooks
This article discusses the author's personal enjoyment of taking physical notes while playing certain video games, such as Her Story, Return of the Obra Dinn, and esports titles like Dota and League of Legends. The author finds that the tactile act of writing, drawing maps, and jotting down details enhances their engagement with digital games, creating a tangible connection to the gaming experience.
Marvel’s Wolverine Aiming For A “Cinematic Feel” With the Battle Reborn Suit
Insomniac Games is discussing the design choices behind Marvel's Wolverine's self-healing suit, aiming for a cinematic feel during brutal combat. Head of technology Mike Fitzgerald explained that the suit restores itself to maintain visual consistency and player power fantasy. The game will feature detailed damage reflection and fluid physics for blood effects, with ray tracing enabled by default.
Halo Co-Creator Says Lack of PvP in Campaign Evolved is From “Lack of Oversight”, “Poor Planning”
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto criticized Halo: Campaign Evolved for its lack of split-screen PvP multiplayer, attributing it to "lack of oversight and poor planning." Lehto also expressed dissatisfaction with the game's art direction, particularly the depiction of Forerunner technology, stating it lacks the ancient and mysterious feel of the original. The remake, released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, reportedly sold around 1.2 million copies generating $67 million.
1666: Amsterdam interview - Assassin's Creed creator on why he avoids the series
In an interview, Patrice Désilets, the creator of the original Assassin's Creed, discusses his new game 1666: Amsterdam, its long development history, and his decision to use early access. Désilets also shares his thoughts on generative AI, his current relationship with the Assassin's Creed franchise, and his continued interest in using historical settings and multiple timelines in his games.
Skatesterre: Where Classic Arcade Skateboarding Meets a New Generation
Skatesterre is an arcade skateboarding game developed by Headup and Goon Squad in collaboration with pro skater Sterre Meijer. The game aims to recapture the feel of classic arcade skateboarding titles from the golden era, incorporating modern features and Sterre's unique style. It is available on Xbox Series X|S and features intuitive controls, a deep combo system, and unlockable fashion items.
The 'father of Master Chief' doesn't like the new Halo's new halos
Marcus Lehto, the art director for the original Halo: Combat Evolved, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the art style of the upcoming remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved. He criticizes the new halos for appearing too new and shiny, lacking the ancient, worn, and massive feel of the originals. Despite these gripes, Lehto acknowledges enjoying the game's upgrades in movement, cinematics, and visuals.
Marvel’s Wolverine Has You Hunting For Resources, Drinking Whiskey, And Beating Up Nightmares
Marvel's Wolverine will be a story-driven, single-player adventure focusing on linear progression with optional detours for resource gathering and combat trials. Players can collect whiskey to power up and materials for new suits, similar to Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The game also features 'Nightmare Doors' that delve into Logan's psyche and will include a New Game Plus mode. The game is set to launch on September 15 for PlayStation 5, with accompanying limited-edition console accessories announced by Sony.
'Halo Studios Went Too Far in the Wrong Direction' — Co-Creator of Halo Hits Out at the Main Menu Ring in Xbox's New Remake
One of the original creators of Halo has criticized Xbox's remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, specifically pointing out the main menu's ring design and the absence of player-versus-player multiplayer. The co-creator feels the development went in the wrong direction.
How Stephen King watching a train hit a kid led to Kiefer Sutherland making his videogame horse crap on command: A PC…
This article traces an unlikely causal chain from a childhood tragedy witnessed by Stephen King to Kiefer Sutherland's ability to command a horse to defecate in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. The connection is made through the film Stand by Me, which starred Sutherland, its popularity in Japan, and the influence of the TV show 24, also starring Sutherland, on Hideo Kojima's design choices for Metal Gear Solid 5.
Insomniac's take on Wolverine is ferocious, destructive and cinematic - but a little predictable
Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine aims for a ferocious, destructive, and cinematic experience, focusing on Wolverine's aggressive combat style and regenerative abilities. While the game promises fluid transitions between traversal and intense battles, and features a rage mechanic to express Logan's anger, some early combat encounters and narrative elements may feel predictable. The preview highlights the game's potential for a satisfying, albeit linear, action-adventure experience.
Jurassic Park Meets Alien In This Childhood Dream Turned Horror Game
The Lost Wild, a first-person horror game combining dinosaur encounters with survival horror elements, has been a 20-year passion project for Great Ape Games CEO Nick Gregory. Initially a mod for Crysis, the game evolved with a volunteer team before securing a partnership with Annapurna Interactive, allowing it to become the studio's full-time focus. Gregory emphasizes portraying dinosaurs as realistic animals rather than monsters, drawing inspiration from films like Jurassic Park and Alien: Isolation, and aims for a genuinely frightening experience that balances fear with awe and fascination.
After playing 2 hours of Marvel's Wolverine, Insomniac has crushed my fears of a post-Spider-Man slump: "This…
Insomniac Games' upcoming PlayStation 5 title, Marvel's Wolverine, builds upon the combat and presentation systems of their Spider-Man games but offers a darker, more violent experience. The game features a new 'Rage' system that encourages aggressive play and reflects Wolverine's bestial anger, alongside a linear, globe-trotting narrative that focuses on Logan's character rather than his origin story. Developers emphasize that decisions are made to ensure the game feels authentic to Wolverine, with a release date set for September 15, 2026.
