Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Crimson Desert Dev Explains How It's Changing the Game's Story, What 'DLC' Means, and Why Anything Goes
Pearl Abyss marketing and PR director Will Powers discussed Crimson Desert's evolving story and the meaning of DLC for the game. He indicated that the development team is open to various possibilities for future content.
Atelier Karia: The Night Kingdom & the Guide of Memories gets first trailer and info
Koei Tecmo and Gust have released the first trailer and details for Atelier Karia: The Night Kingdom & the Guide of Memories, an alchemy RPG sequel. The game follows an amnesiac alchemist named Karia on a quest to explore a mysterious underworld and recover her memories, featuring a refined hybrid battle system and a unique mechanic blending alchemy with culinary exploration. It is set to launch in early 2027 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5.
Feature: Six Things That Need To Change In The Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake
This article discusses desired changes for a potential remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch. Suggestions include a longer day/night cycle, fewer Navi interruptions, removal of loading screens, more engaging Hyrule Field content, the ability to save anywhere, and giving Princess Ruto more agency. The author emphasizes that the iconic title screen should remain unchanged.
I will always fear the idle genre but wizard school RPG Abracademia is more enchanting than most, with around 300 spells to learn
Abracademia is an upcoming RPG that blends wizard school simulation with idle game mechanics, featuring over 300 spells across 20 disciplines. The game allows players to manage their wizard's daily life, build relationships, and embark on quests in the 'Fabric of Worlds'. A demo is now available, with the full game expected soon.
Final Fantasy Resonance devs know "random encounters can feel like a hassle at times," but they're in the upcoming JRPG because "they also allow you to make memories"
Developers for Final Fantasy Resonance, a reimagining of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, are including random encounters despite acknowledging they can be a hassle. Producer Keisuke Nakashima believes these encounters foster memorable moments and a sense of accomplishment, while director Hiroto Furuya states the design aims to recapture a classic Final Fantasy experience with strategic resource management.
"I was given that opportunity to go crazy and do something kind of insane" - Will Wright and Maxis look back on nine years making Spore
Key figures from Maxis, including founder Will Wright, reflect on the nine-year development of Spore, acknowledging it as a failed game design with disconnected elements. They attribute these issues to rapid team growth, a lack of structured decision-making under Wright's 'luminary' management style, and challenges in coordinating a large team, despite significant creative freedom granted by Electronic Arts.
The Psychology of “One More Run”: Why Players Can’t Quit Extraction and Survival Games
This article delves into the psychological appeal of extraction and survival games like Hunt: Showdown, Sea of Thieves, and Vampire Survivors. It explains how the core 'cash-out' decision, near-misses, loss aversion, and sunk cost fallacy contribute to the addictive 'one more run' loop that keeps players engaged. The design of these games leverages psychological principles to create compelling and often tense gameplay experiences.
SGF 2026: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Preview - Looks Stunning, but It Still Feels Unsteady
Crystal Dynamics is developing Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a new installment that aims to blend classic Tomb Raider elements with modern gameplay inspired by the Survivor trilogy. While visually stunning and built on Unreal Engine 5, the pre-alpha demo suffered from performance issues and imprecise controls, raising concerns about its readiness despite promising gameplay mechanics and environmental design.
'We want the player to kind of get lost in the world and 'force' them to have fun' — Control Resonant lead level designer teases new 'dungeons' and encourages players to explore the open world and engage in side content
Remedy Entertainment's Anne-Marie Grönroos and Elmeri Raitanen discussed the design of Control Resonant, emphasizing player exploration and side content within its open world. The game will feature linear 'dungeons' as a contrast to the overworld and launches September 24 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Gears of War: E-Day’s Campaign is Over 14 Hours Long and Lets You Play as Any Bravo Squad Member
Gears of War: E-Day will feature a campaign exceeding 14 hours, making it the longest in the studio's history. The Coalition confirmed that players can control any member of Bravo Squad during the campaign, which takes place after the Pendulum Wars. The game is set to release on October 6th for Xbox Series X/S and PC, with an open beta planned for August.
I watched the new Halo remake gameplay, then replayed the original to nitpick the differences
A comparison of gameplay footage from the upcoming Halo: Campaign Evolved remake and the original Halo: Combat Evolved reveals significant changes. The remake, powered by Unreal Engine 5, introduces modern features like sprint, HUD waypoints, and altered visual fidelity, which the author argues may detract from the original's distinct design and pacing.
Why do mech games rarely let you leave the cockpit? Brigador Killers devs joke that the feature 'added five years…
Brigador Killers' developers discuss how the decision to allow players to exit their mechs significantly increased development time, adding complexity in programming and interaction systems. This feature aims to enhance storytelling and player immersion by contrasting the scale of mechs with human characters and allowing for more world interaction.
After playing the new remake of Tomb Raider, I'm convinced you can't actually remake Tomb Raider
The author reflects on the evolution of Tomb Raider remakes, contrasting the original's experimental nature with modern "reimaginings" like Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. They argue that current big-budget game development struggles to capture the original's unique identity, which stemmed from the limitations and uncertainties of early 3D game creation.
Massively Overthinking: Slightly chilled takes about the future of Guild Wars
The Massively OP staff and readers share their 'slightly chilled takes' on the upcoming Guild Wars 3, the future of Guild Wars 1 and 2, and ArenaNet's promises. While some are excited for the new MMO and its potential to innovate, others express caution due to a lack of concrete gameplay details and past experiences with Guild Wars 2's hype.
Nintendo Fans Don’t Know What They Want
This article discusses the evolving and often contradictory expectations of Nintendo fans regarding game aesthetics. It highlights historical examples like The Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild, where initial fan reactions to stylistic changes eventually turned positive, contrasting with recent divided responses to more realistic remakes of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Star Fox.
In 007 First Light, The Best Part Of Being Bond Is The Boring Stuff
007 First Light excels by embracing the mundane aspects of being James Bond, moving beyond typical shooter mechanics to create a true "character simulator." Unlike older licensed games that merely retold movie plots, this title allows players to engage with Bond's world through dialogue, gadget interaction, and environmental exploration. The article suggests a sequel should focus on a more experienced Bond, building on the foundation of stealth and gunplay.
How Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Reimagines the Past Into a Vibrant Future
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is an upcoming reimagining of the original 1996 game, developed by Flying Wild Hog and Crystal Dynamics. The game will feature a new voice actor for Lara Croft, Alix Wilton Regan, and a more vibrant visual style than the gritty Survivor trilogy. A demo showcased classic puzzle-solving and combat with a new bullet-time mechanic, and the developers discussed their approach to modernizing the iconic adventure while staying true to its roots. The game is set to release on Xbox Series X|S on February 12, 2027.
Toys for Bob dev says the team tried to capture 'the feeling that we fell in love with' when developing Spyro: A Realm Beyond instead of worrying about features first
Toys for Bob Studio Head Paul Yan stated that the team focused on recapturing the core feeling of the Spyro series for Spyro: A Realm Beyond, rather than adhering to a strict list of features. He emphasized balancing nostalgia with innovation to avoid rehashing old ideas or alienating fans. The game is set to launch in Spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Final Fantasy Revelation Will Contain Even More Minigames Than Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi confirms the upcoming game will feature as many, if not more, minigames than its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This decision stems from a desire to maintain the original vision, though some minigames can be skipped. Hamaguchi takes responsibility for potential fan feedback regarding this aspect.
Stranger Than Heaven: We Grapple with RGG Studio’s New Combat System
RGG Studio's upcoming game, Stranger Than Heaven, features a drastically different combat system compared to their previous titles, focusing on granular, trigger-and-bumper-based controls for independent limb attacks and weapon usage. The game is set to release on January 15, 2027, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will be available day one on Game Pass. Players will experience a fifty-year saga across five distinct eras and cities in Japan, with a combat system that emphasizes realism and brutality, alongside a unique 'showman' career path for the protagonist.
