Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Going Back to Star Fox 64 is Mandatory Before the Remake
This article argues that revisiting Star Fox 64 is essential before its upcoming remaster on the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting its tight design, lack of filler, and innovative branching paths. The author emphasizes that the original game still holds up remarkably well and serves as a strong foundation for the new version.
EverQuest Legends Launches July 28, Pre-Orders and Beta Access Available Now
Daybreak Game Company and Game Jawn announced that EverQuest Legends, a reimagined version of the original MMORPG, will launch on July 28 for $19.99, including one month of game time. Pre-orders are available now, granting access to a beta period starting July 1 and offering an exclusive in-game title. The game will operate as a live service title with ongoing content updates and a $9.99 monthly subscription after the initial month.
Samson: A Tyndalston Story Has Had Tons of Patches, But Is It Actually Fixed?
Samson: A Tyndalston Story, developed by Liquid Swords, has received numerous patches since its troubled launch, addressing technical issues, performance, and gameplay friction. While the game is now technically stable and more playable, the article discusses whether these fixes have fundamentally improved the experience and if the game's core vision is now realized. The developers have taken ownership of the shortcomings and are actively working to refine the game, making it a distinctive but still slightly rough experience.
ShackStream: Pragmata on The Stevetendo Show! Episode 718
The Stevetendo Show is continuing its playthrough of Pragmata, with host Steve expressing high praise for the game's writing and character development. The stream will also feature discussions about upcoming games like The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales and potential future Pokemon playthroughs on the Nintendo Switch. Viewers are encouraged to tune in on the Shacknews Twitch channel.
Guild Wars 3 hopes to solve the problem that made me quit Guild Wars 2 after thousands of hours with the series
ArenaNet has outlined the core philosophy for Guild Wars 3, aiming to address issues that drove players away from Guild Wars 2, such as the time-consuming 'preparing to play' problem. The sequel will focus on respecting player time with no subscriptions or pay-to-win mechanics, and plans to begin beta testing in 2027.
Snowpiercer’s Whole Shtick Makes For An Interesting Shooter
Enginefall is a PvPvE first-person shooter that draws inspiration from the extraction subgenre, featuring a unique premise based on the movie Snowpiercer. Players scavenge resources from large trains while managing threats from other players and AI enemies. The game aims to balance violence and peace, rewarding both playstyles, and its core gameplay loop involves progressing through train cars for better loot, with mechanics for extraction and base building.
Old School RuneScape runs down its plans for the rewards from the Fractured Archive
Old School RuneScape is detailing plans for the rewards from its latest raid, the Fractured Archive. These new rewards include a hybrid armor set for magic and melee, new dual crossbows with unique ammo, and a whip-flail weapon. Players are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed items.
Perfect Ten: The 10 most rage-inducing (but fixable) MMORPG industry problems
This opinion piece outlines ten common and fixable problems within the MMORPG industry, ranging from the over-sexualization of characters and misleading 'pay-to-win' discussions to poor website and communication practices. It also criticizes trend-chasing studio creation, premature announcements, historical inaccuracies in marketing, and the continued lack of essential features like group finders.
The biggest Gears of War: E-Day gameplay changes should have a transformative impact on the series' tired…
The Coalition is implementing significant changes to the core gameplay mechanics of Gears of War: E-Day, rebuilding systems from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. These alterations focus on enhancing movement fluidity, cover interaction, and environmental destruction, aiming to modernize the series' signature combat and potentially reshape its multiplayer experience. The game will feature a prequel campaign and a multiplayer beta starting August 6.
How Warframe is building upon its most heartbreaking quest in a continuation "no one saw coming"
Digital Extremes is developing a direct sequel to the Warframe quest Jade Shadows, titled Jade Shadows: Constellations. This new content will continue the story of fatherhood and sibling rivalry introduced in the original, while also incorporating more action and violence. Community manager Megan Everett stated that the team was initially nervous about the reception of the first quest due to its departure from the usual Warframe narrative.
Out of Words is a Stop-Motion Masterpiece for Everyone
Out of Words is a handcrafted, two-player co-op stop-motion platformer developed by WiredFly & Kong Orange and published by Epic Games Publishing. Directed by Johan Oettinger, the game features unique physics-defying puzzles and a narrative about two young people navigating their relationship, with a poet, Morten Søndergaard, contributing to the development. The game is set to release on Xbox Series X|S in 2027 and is designed to be accessible to non-gamers.
EverQuest Legends launches in July
Daybreak Game Company has announced that EverQuest Legends, a reimagined version of the 1999 classic, will launch on Windows PC on July 28th for $19.99, followed by a $9.99 monthly subscription. The game is designed for solo and casual play, allowing players to combine up to three classes and upgrade gear extensively. Preorders grant access to a beta period and exclusive in-game items.
Star Wars Zero Company looks so good it has me wishing Metal Gear would make tactics games again
The upcoming Star Wars Zero Company tactics RPG has reignited interest in the genre, prompting a discussion about the potential for a new Metal Gear Acid game. The author praises Star Wars Zero Company's XCOM-like gameplay and its potential to revitalize a dormant franchise, while also advocating for a revival of the Metal Gear Acid series, highlighting its unique blend of stealth, deckbuilding, and tactical combat.
Resource management? Survival games are about time management.
Seth Rosen, game director for Pacific Drive, argues that survival games are fundamentally about time management rather than just resource gathering or combat. He suggests that the core of these games lies in balancing various systems and tasks, which create pressure and stakes for the player. Rosen criticizes many survival games for lacking richness and meaningful goals, emphasizing that effective time management is key to creating engaging experiences.
The Daily Grind: What table would your MMO sit at in high school?
This article poses a lighthearted question to MMORPG players: if their chosen game were a teenager, what social group would it belong to in a high school cafeteria? The Massively Overpowered writers encourage readers to imagine their MMOs in this scenario and share their thoughts.
This classic Zelda love letter is expansive without being intimidating, varied without being overwhelming, and familiar without being tired
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a Square Enix RPG that successfully blends classic 1990s-style pixel art with modern HD-2D visuals, creating an expansive and enjoyable experience. While the story is considered uninspired, the game excels in its superb presentation, fresh design, and accessible yet challenging gameplay, available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
Crusader Kings 3 devs Paradox will make the roaming mercenary lifestyle of playing as a landless adventurer free for everyone later this year
Paradox Interactive announced that the landless adventurer lifestyle feature from Crusader Kings 3's Roads to Power expansion will become free for all players later this year. Game director Alexander Oltner stated that the playstyle's popularity exceeded expectations, leading to the decision to integrate it into the base game. While some specialized features may remain with the paid expansion, the core experience will be accessible to everyone.
Gnomecast 239 - Perfecting Genre Details
Ang, Jared, and Carl Lehmann discuss the intricate details required for effectively playing RPGs within specific genres. They explore how broad genre strokes can be refined with numerous small decisions made before starting a game.
Guild Wars 3 mission statement: no pay-to-win, no subscription fees - "The lines between an MMO and a live-service game have blurred"
ArenaNet studio head Colin Johanson released a mission statement for Guild Wars 3, emphasizing a commitment to no pay-to-win mechanics and no subscription fees, instead opting for a buy-to-play model. The statement also addresses the blurring lines between MMOs and live-service games, aiming to innovate the genre by respecting player time and offering meaningful progression without excessive barriers.
After June’s Showcases, Strategy Games Need a New Battlefield
The article analyzes the recurring historical settings in strategy games, noting a reliance on familiar periods like Medieval Europe and World War II. It highlights the potential of less-explored settings, such as ancient China before the Three Kingdoms period, as demonstrated by the upcoming city-builder Mandate Order. The piece argues that deeper historical and systemic integration, rather than just novelty, can revitalize the genre.
