Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Wisdom of Nym: Speculating about our traveling companions in Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold
This article speculates on the companion characters for Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold, suggesting a departure from previous expansions where the Scions were a constant presence. The author posits that the new expansion will feature a more fragmented approach to companions, potentially with fewer Scions joining the Warrior of Light on their journey.
New D&D RPG Warlock has a smaller open world so devs can "pull back a little bit on the handholding," lead…
Wizards of the Coast's upcoming Dungeons & Dragons RPG, Warlock, will feature a smaller, more dense open world to encourage player exploration and reduce handholding. Lead designer Dominic Guay stated this approach allows for more meaningful discoveries and a more dynamic magic system, contrasting it with games that rely on excessive waypoints. The game is described as very different from Baldur's Gate 3, despite both being D&D titles.
Warlock-utvecklarna ville i första hand göra spelaren mäktig och "OP"
The developers of Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons aimed to make players feel "OP" (overpowered) by focusing on adding fun abilities first and then balancing the game. Studio head Dominic Guay explained that the team prioritized making magic feel potent, even if it meant creating overpowered options initially. The game will feature seamless integration of magic and melee combat through button combinations, with a release planned for 2027 on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
GTA 6 boss says Rockstar has to "forego realism" for the sake of the players: "Realism can help greatly with immersion, but too much can feel tedious"
Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson stated that Grand Theft Auto 6 developers sometimes prioritize player convenience over strict realism to enhance immersion. He explained that while realism can aid immersion, excessive realism can become tedious, and the team aims to strike a balance between the two.
Clover Time Grimoire Tier List
This article provides a comprehensive tier list for Grimoires in the Roblox game Clover Time, ranking them based on damage, skills, and player consensus. It categorizes Grimoires into S, A, B, C, and D tiers, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each for both PvP and PvE gameplay.
Peter Molyneux is excited to finally play Fable "as a gamer"
Peter Molyneux expresses excitement about playing the upcoming Fable game as a regular gamer, having been involved with the franchise's past entries. He praises Playground Games' evolution of the series, noting that it retains Fable's unique qualities while incorporating new elements.
"We opted out of some things really early on": How the 24-person team making No Law plan to make it look as big as Cyberpunk 2077
Neon Giant, a 24-person team, is developing the open-world RPG No Law, aiming for a scope comparable to Cyberpunk 2077 by strategically limiting features. Creative director Tor Frick explains how the team opted out of elements like drivable cars and entering every building to focus on verticality and dense exploration within their Mediterranean-inspired city, Port Desire. The game's design incorporates layered systems and dynamic world elements like time and weather to create a rich player experience despite the team's size.
Weekend Discussion - October 4, 2026
This Weekend Discussion from Shacknews reflects on recent gaming news and articles. Topics include excitement for Grand Theft Auto 6, frustrations with Halo: Reach's Armor Lock, and mentions of Street Fighter 6, Dragon Quest Heroes, End of Abyss, and Fallout 76 updates. The article also highlights Shacknews' commitment to original content and introduces Sam Chandler, Head of Guides.
There is “No Greater Compliment” Than Comparisons With Grand Theft Auto, Says Dan Houser
Former Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser stated that comparisons to Grand Theft Auto are a significant compliment, though he hopes his new company, Absurd Ventures, will succeed on its own merits. Houser discussed the pressures of developing GTA titles and his focus on creating impactful and fresh experiences with integrity, regardless of market success. Absurd Ventures is working on various projects across different mediums, including a game with Ascendant Studios.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance studio co-founder says a lot of RPGs are 'still games for teenagers,' and that he's 'tired of all the RPGs where you are this chosen one'
Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima expressed frustration with the prevalence of 'chosen one' narratives and power fantasies in modern RPGs, stating that many games are still designed for teenagers. He believes the audience has outgrown these repetitive formulas, citing Ubisoft's tendency to recycle game designs as an example of missed innovation.
Brigador devs: 'The '90s PC classics often taught really special things, but not because the story said, Wow,…
Stellar Jockeys developers Hugh and Jack Monahan discuss their approach to game design and storytelling in Brigador Killers, emphasizing the 'show, don't tell' philosophy of '90s PC classics. They express a preference for emergent player-driven moral choices over explicit narrative moralizing, citing games like Crusader: No Remorse and Original XCOM as inspirations.
Tonda Ros, creator of Blue Prince, has played UFO 50 for almost 700 hours: 'I think it's easily my favourite…
Game developer Tonda Ros, creator of Blue Prince, shares his extensive playtime with UFO 50, calling it his favorite game of the last 20 years. He also discusses his current play of Cairn and the recently finished Big Walk, highlighting their intuitive controls and impactful narratives. Ros also reaffirms his enduring love for Myst, which remains installed on his PC.
Silent Hill: Townfall is the first horror game to make me feel bad for using a shotgun
The article discusses how Silent Hill: Townfall subverts expectations by making the player feel remorse for using a shotgun against its 'widow' enemies. The author reflects on how the game's narrative and characterization of Richard, despite his evil actions, prompt a moral examination of the player's own choices and the cyclical nature of violence.
Playing God: The revolutionary AI that made Black & White still unforgettable
This article reflects on the revolutionary machine learning AI in the 2001 game Black & White, developed by Lionhead Studios and directed by Peter Molyneux. It highlights how the AI, coded by Demis Hassabis and Richard Evans (who later founded DeepMind), allowed creatures to learn and imitate player actions, a feat still considered remarkable. The piece contrasts the game's joyful sandbox approach with modern AI anxieties and praises its unique design.
RuneScape Reignited launches 2 December
Jagex is launching RuneScape Reignited on December 2nd, offering a fresh start with a new permanent character type, an updated economy, and no paid progression. This initiative aims to provide a clean slate for new and returning players to experience the game's 25-year history. The company also revealed a new RuneScape MMO built in Unreal Engine and a partnership for an animated adaptation.
Gears of War E-Day wants you to enjoy the "terror in your face," no matter how you choose to play
The Coalition's Creative Director Matt Searcy and Sandbox Designer Pax Lyle discuss the development of Gears of War E-Day, emphasizing its return to the series' roots and the focus on "terror in your face." They detail the transition to Unreal Engine 5 and the efforts to ensure a consistent experience across PC and Xbox, while acknowledging the impact of recent layoffs on potential future stories.
New League Classic update brings back "one of the worst-designed spells in League of Legends"
League of Legends Classic patch 5 introduces five reworked champions: Aatrox, Irelia, Karma, Quinn, and Caitlyn, with Game Designer David 'Phreak' Turley overseeing the quality of these classic iterations. Karma's 'Spirit Bond' ability is highlighted as particularly awkward and "one of the worst-designed spells" by Turley. The patch also includes balance adjustments with nerfs to Graves, Fizz, and Fiora, and buffs to Nautilus and Kennen.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Adding Boats and Naval Combat Would be “Natural,” Says Former Skyrim Lead
Former Skyrim lead designer Bruce Nesmith believes boats and naval combat would be a natural addition to The Elder Scrolls 6, offering significant gameplay opportunities. He suggests potential features like skill trees for seafaring and new enemy types, while ruling out underwater exploration due to complexity.
Fable Retains the Approachable Combat of Older Titles, Playground “Really Proud” of Activity Variety
Playground Games is focusing on making the combat in Fable approachable, a key characteristic of the original titles. Associate directors Will Kennedy and Craig Littler highlighted the variety of activities beyond combat, including exploration and puzzles, which they are proud of. The game is set to launch on February 23rd, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Gears of War: E-Day Team Says Series is “Part of Xbox’s DNA,” Proud to be One of Its “Main Titles”
The Coalition's creative director Matt Searcy stated that the Gears of War series is integral to Xbox's identity and that Gears of War: E-Day is a "main title" for the platform. The article also touches on the controversy surrounding the game's exclusivity, which The Coalition denies was a last-minute decision, and mentions its upcoming release on Xbox Series X/S and PC.
