Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Fable: How Playground Games is Building Albion for a New Generation | Official XBOX Podcast
Playground Games' Ralph Fulton discusses the upcoming Fable game on the Official Xbox Podcast, highlighting the combat system, world design, and player agency. The interview, conducted at Gamescom, reveals details about the game's initial experience, including the introduction to Bowerstone and the emergence of heroic powers. Fulton emphasizes the team's focus on player choice and the intricate details within the game's environments and combat encounters.
Broken Mirror Games Reveals ONYX: The Dark Grip Exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2
Broken Mirror Games, a label of Bloober Team, has revealed ONYX: The Dark Grip, an exclusive dark adventure game for the Nintendo Switch 2 set to launch in 2027. The game is designed for handheld play, utilizing the Nintendo Switch 2's hardware features for unique gameplay interactions. Players will control both 'The Vessel' and 'The God' in a struggle for survival within an isolated, frozen town.
Duel of Meloch is a bold experiment that blends two beloved strategy board games together, but newcomers may get left behind
Duel of Meloch is a bold experiment that successfully blends the mechanics of Scythe and Expeditions into a standalone game, but it is most worthwhile for players who already own and understand both parent titles. While it offers a mechanically fascinating mashup and lovely components, newcomers will find the requirement to learn three rulebooks a significant barrier, and the game doesn't feel distinct enough to stand on its own.
Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley launch Nova Games Foundation to fund young designers
Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley have launched the Nova Games Foundation, a philanthropic program offering grants to young game designers. The foundation will provide $100,000 grants annually to 20 designers, with some eligible for up to $500,000, and includes mentorship from industry veterans. Recipients retain game ownership and can choose their own publishers and platforms.
You probably shouldn't play the Zelda Ocarina of Time remake with an N64 controller, but I'm holding for OG…
The author argues that while the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will naturally feature modern controls, there's value in supporting the original Nintendo 64 controller. This would preserve unique gameplay elements like Z-targeting's atmospheric camera shifts and sound cues, offering an authentic experience for long-time fans.
Perfect Ten: Strange omissions from the initial lineup of beasts to tame for Final Fantasy XIV’s Beastmaster
The latest Final Fantasy XIV patch introduces the Beastmaster job, allowing players to tame previously unmastered beasts. However, the author notes several surprising omissions from the initial list of tameable creatures, including common enemies like moles, yarzons, funguar, bears, wolves, peistes, beetles, boars, skeletons, and bombs, questioning the logic behind the selection.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream gave us fall season props, so I built a Halloween hedge maze
A player details how they used new seasonal props in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream to construct an elaborate Halloween hedge maze. The article highlights the creative possibilities within the game and expresses a desire for more substantial content updates from Nintendo.
Blood of Dawnwalker devs Rebel Wolves are already looking for someone to help write a sequel, so here's where I'd like to see its vampy tale go next
Despite The Blood of Dawnwalker having only recently launched, developer Rebel Wolves is already seeking a lead writer for a sequel. The article speculates on potential narrative directions for future installments, suggesting a continuation of the protagonist's centuries-spanning journey across the globe, possibly exploring different historical periods and settings.
Onyx: The Dark Grip is a new Bloober Team horror game coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2
Bloober Team has revealed Onyx: The Dark Grip, a new horror game exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch in 2027. The game will utilize touchscreen and tilt mechanics, requiring it to be played in handheld mode. Players control Holden, who must uncover the mysteries of a fog-shrouded town.
Ocarina of Time Remake Release Date, Is It Exclusive & More
Nintendo has revealed more details about the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, launching November 5 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The remake introduces new features like a dedicated jump button and motion controls for the slingshot, while preserving elements like loading screens and the original pacing. The company is also celebrating The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary with new merchandise and a world concert tour.
2,045 days later, Valheim's 1.0 launch proves its scope for epic journeys is still unbeatable
Valheim's 1.0 launch, after five years in Early Access, highlights the game's enduring appeal in the survival genre. The article praises its sense of discovery, poetic atmosphere, and blend of survival and RPG elements, though it notes minor frustrations with the building mechanics. Developer Iron Gate Studios is commended for creating a world with near-endless scope for epic journeys.
Total War: Warhammer 40k is aiming to be the most complex and most accessible game Creative Assembly has ever made - here's how the devs managed both
Creative Assembly aims to make Total War: Warhammer 40,000 both the most complex and most accessible game in the series. Developers Joy Dey and Dave Petry explain how new systems, detailed combat simulation, and a robust tutorial campaign are designed to cater to both veteran players and newcomers to the Total War and Warhammer franchises.
CD Projekt Red says Songs of the Past will 'complete' The Witcher 3 story with Dandelion at its center — 'This is part of The Wild Hunt, and it felt like a chapter was missing'
CD Projekt Red has stated that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, will complete the game's narrative by focusing on the character of Dandelion. Developers from Fool's Theory emphasized their desire to give Dandelion the spotlight he deserves, drawing from the original novels to tell a story that felt like a missing chapter of The Wild Hunt.
Mega Man: Dual Override Robot Masters leaked, including winner of design contest
A leak has revealed the full roster of Robot Masters for Mega Man: Dual Override, including the winner of Capcom's design contest, Cleanser Man. The game is slated for a 2027 release on Nintendo Switch. The leak also provided information on Kingdom Hearts 4.
Why Star Wars Zero Company Keeps Pulling You Back In
Star Wars Zero Company has surprisingly found an audience, achieving the franchise's second-biggest launch on Steam despite performance issues and Electronic Arts' current focus away from single-player narrative titles. Developed by Bit Reactor, a studio comprised of former Firaxis employees, the game succeeds by not directly cloning XCOM 2, but by leveraging its core gameplay loop and strong Star Wars universe integration to create an addictive experience.
'We're trying to go easy on the hand-holding' — Invoke says Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons' HUD and waypoint guidance will be minimal and can even be toggled on and off so as not to 'overwhelm' players and encourage exploration
Invoke Studios head Dominic Guay confirmed that Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons will feature a toggleable HUD and minimal waypoint guidance to encourage player exploration and immersion. This approach aims to reduce "hand-holding" common in other open-world RPGs, allowing players to discover the world of Darkon more freely. The game is set to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
Nintendo Intentionally Included Loading Screens in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake, and Fans Are Torn
Nintendo has confirmed that loading screens were intentionally included in the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to preserve the original game's feel. This decision has been met with a negative reaction from fans online.
This Week in Switch 2 - The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Direct reaction and analysis
This episode of This Week in Switch 2 features reactions and analysis of the 40th Anniversary Nintendo Direct, with a particular focus on a potential remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The hosts also discuss their ongoing impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
Duskfade Review – A Stunning Return to PS2-Era Platformers | Invision Game Community
Duskfade is a stunning clockpunk action-platformer that successfully revives the PS2-era genre with vibrant visuals and engaging gameplay. Developed by Weird Beluga, the game features a charming story, tight platforming mechanics, and enjoyable combat, making it a refreshing and outstanding debut.
What Dragon Quest VII and Final Fantasy XVI Teach About Game Demos | Invision Game Community
This article analyzes the design decisions behind game demos, using Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and Final Fantasy XVI as examples. It discusses how developers balance showcasing enough content to entice players while leaving them wanting more, and the impact of transferable progress versus time limits on the player experience.
