Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
The Daily Grind: Are you upset that Guild Wars 3 seems to be ditching the zerg?
ArenaNet has indicated that Guild Wars 3 may move away from the large-scale 'zerg' gameplay that defines Guild Wars 2. While some players enjoy the low-stress mass participation, others, like the author, are open to a potential shift towards smaller-scale content, reminiscent of other MMOs like World of Warcraft.
Psyvariar 3 Review | TheXboxHub
Psyvariar 3 is a vertical shoot 'em up that offers a surprisingly ambitious sci-fi story and deep gameplay mechanics, including the unique Buzz system where players graze enemy bullets for benefits. Developed by Banana Bytes and Red Art Games, the game features "Neo retro 3D" graphics, a variety of game modes, seven playable characters with distinct ships and playstyles, and a high level of challenge, making it a title with significant replay value for fans of the genre.
Escape the Backrooms Review | TheXboxHub
Escape the Backrooms is a survival horror game that attempts to capture the essence of the popular Backrooms creepypasta. While it succeeds in delivering jump scares and eerie aesthetics with unique monster designs and a sanity mechanic, it is hampered by frustrating puzzles and aimless exploration. The game offers a decent, albeit divisive, experience within the crowded liminal-space horror genre.
How Important Are Designs and Mechanics in Slots?
This article analyzes the crucial roles of design and mechanics in modern slot games, distinguishing them from traditional forms. Visual design encompasses themes, symbols, colors, and audio, while mechanics dictate gameplay, including reel layouts and bonus features. Both elements are vital for developers to differentiate their titles and create engaging player experiences, with technology driving innovation in the iGaming industry.
The Best Online Games to Try This Year
This guide explains how online slots work in Canada, focusing on provincial regulations and what to look for in a platform, with Ontario having the most mature framework. It details different slot types like classic, video, Megaways, and progressive jackpot slots, and explains key terms such as RTP and volatility. The article also covers bonuses, wagering requirements, and provides advice on trustworthy casinos for players in 2026.
Kojimas OD ska ge oss en "överdos av rädsla"
Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror game OD aims to deliver an "overdose of fear" with a new game system designed to push the boundaries of the genre. Despite initial challenges in finding partners due to the concept's novelty, the project has garnered support from Xbox leadership, with Phil Spencer and Asha Sharma expressing enthusiasm for its unique approach.
Valor Mortis shows a lot of promise, despite a very rough start
Valor Mortis, the upcoming first-person Soulslike from Ghostrunner developer One More Level, shows significant promise despite a rough initial impression. While the early demo segment felt underwhelming and overly familiar, a later section revealed more engaging level design, varied combat, and intriguing narrative elements. The game is set in Napoleonic France and features a blend of traditional Soulslike mechanics with unique twists, hinting at a deeper experience than its opening suggests.
Games Inbox: Is the Valve Steam Machine worth it?
Readers discuss the value proposition of Valve's Steam Machine, with many finding its price point too high compared to a custom PC or even a PlayStation 5. Other topics include potential pricing for Grand Theft Auto 6, the surprising early planning of God of War's Laufey, and concerns about the use of AI in game development.
OD Existed As a Concept Since Death Stranding 1, New Screenshot Reveals Ominous Details
Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror game OD, developed by Kojima Productions, has a concept that originated during the development of Death Stranding 1. While filming has begun with actors like Hunter Schafer and Sophia Lillis, the involvement of the late Udo Kier remains unclear. The game's premise, beyond "overdosing on fear," and its new game system are still mysteries, though a new screenshot hints at potential callbacks to P.T. and Silent Hills.
GTA 6’s Cover Art Is Packed With Years of Rockstar DNA
Rockstar Games has revealed the cover art for Grand Theft Auto 6, which serves as a deep dive into the franchise's history and future. The art features callbacks to Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, including characters Lucia and Jason, vehicles, and thematic elements like water and crime. This detailed analysis breaks down each panel's significance, suggesting themes of relationships, empire building, and luxury driving within the game's setting of Leonida.
OD Will Have a System For Players That Are Too Scared to Continue, Says Hideo Kojima
Hideo Kojima discussed his upcoming Xbox-exclusive horror game OD, revealing a system designed for players who might find the game too scary. He also shared that the concept for OD originated during the development of Death Stranding, and many companies rejected the idea as too unconventional. The game is being developed with Unreal Engine and MetaHuman, and is expected to utilize Microsoft's cloud technology.
Realistic Roblox FPS made by two people hits 7 million plays, reminding us that Roblox games don't have to be…
The Roblox multiplayer FPS 'TTK', developed by Sable Digital, has surpassed 7 million plays. The game, inspired by titles like Call of Duty and Ready Or Not, features realistic mechanics and has gained significant traction for its departure from typical Roblox game loops. Future updates plan to introduce co-op PVE modes and team-based scenarios.
An absurdly large patch filled with over 2K lines of changes is how the devs of early access co-op RPG Fellowship hope to hook players on running MMO-like dungeons without the MMO
The developers of the early access co-op RPG Fellowship have released a massive Season 3 update, featuring over 2,000 lines of changes. This update shifts the game's focus from MMO-inspired elements to a more action RPG experience with an emphasis on loot and character builds, aiming to provide a more engaging dungeon-running experience without the typical MMO grind. The developers are confident this season will be a turning point for the game, which is currently available on Steam.
Sorry Kingdom Hearts nerds, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi says sea salt ice cream "isn't a…
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi clarified that the sea salt ice cream featured in the game is not a reference to Kingdom Hearts, but rather inspired by a popular Japanese popsicle called Garigari-kun. Despite this clarification, the article touches upon the ongoing development of Kingdom Hearts 4 and the general nostalgia associated with the Kingdom Hearts series.
Beginner tips for Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
This guide offers beginner tips for Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, focusing on the importance of completing quests for experience and rewards, utilizing ether jets for faster travel, and strategically benching the character Sharla due to her low damage output. It also suggests using amiibo for potential bonuses and luring enemies individually to manage combat encounters effectively.
#DRIVE Rally PS5 Review – Racing To Forget
#DRIVE Rally offers a simple, arcade-style racing experience on PlayStation 5 that prioritizes fun over realism. While its cel-shaded graphics and forgiving gameplay make it accessible for casual players and younger audiences, the game suffers from repetitive environments and a lack of depth, making it a fun distraction rather than a long-term engagement.
21 years ago, Valve passed on a chill game pitched as "the opposite" of GTA San Andreas, Journey creator says: "We only publish games with guns, our players like to shoot"
In 2005, Valve rejected a game pitch called 'Cloud,' which was designed to be the opposite of violent titles like Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. Jenova Chen, co-founder of Thatgamecompany, revealed that Valve stated they 'only publish games with guns.' Despite the rejection, Cloud was eventually released for free, and Thatgamecompany has since found success with peaceful games like Journey.
Quoteworthy
Shinji Mikami reportedly stated that if players are content with merely watching a game stream, it indicates the game itself is not engaging enough. This sentiment suggests a focus on interactive quality over passive viewership in game design.
Bungie's at a crossroads: Should Destiny 3 be a live service, just a campaign, or something else entirely?
This article discusses the future of the Destiny franchise, questioning whether Destiny 3 should adopt a live service model, focus solely on a campaign, or return to a more traditional expansion-based release schedule. The author reflects on the pros and cons of Destiny 2's current live service approach and the challenges of sustaining such a model for Bungie and its aging player base.
What Are The Grow a Garden 2 Floating Trophies?
This player-made guide speculates on the purpose of newly appearing floating trophies in Grow a Garden 2, suggesting they may be a teaser for future leaderboard features. The article describes their appearance and offers theories on what different colored trophies might represent, such as Sheckles Earned or Plants Planted.
