Game Design
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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's director weighs in on the real-time versus turn-based debate, saying that younger players…
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi believes real-time combat is becoming more dominant, with younger players favoring action-oriented gameplay over turn-based mechanics. While acknowledging the universal appeal of strategic thinking in games, he notes the trend towards real-time action in mainstream titles, a shift that has also influenced the Final Fantasy series.
I didn’t think Forza Horizon 6’s custom garages would lead me to miss mucking about with my motor on Mexican driveways, but they have
The author finds that Forza Horizon 6's new custom garages, while offering personalization, detract from the immersive experience of previous titles. Unlike Forza Horizon 5, where garages were integrated into scenic outdoor driveways, Horizon 6's garages are silent, indoor voids that require player effort to decorate. This leads the author to miss the simpler pleasure of interacting with cars in the natural environments of Mexico and Japan.
Mailbox: Tomodachi Teachings, 'Mainline' Mario, The Artist Formerly Known As Waluigi - Nintendo Life Letters
This month's Nintendo Life Mailbox features discussions on the inspirational nature of Tomodachi Life, the untapped potential of Waluigi for a dedicated game, and the classification of 'mainline' Mario titles. Readers also share their thoughts on Nintendo's GameShare feature and express desires for specific game remakes and ports.
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG is your favorite game to just idle in?
This article discusses the concept of 'idle time' within MMORPGs, referring to moments where players are not actively engaged in gameplay but are instead comfortably exploring or observing the game world. It poses the question to readers about which MMORPG offers the best experience for such leisurely activities.
Total War Medieval 3 aims for emergent character growth: "We have no plans for skill trees"
Creative Assembly's Leif Walter revealed that Total War: Medieval 3 will not feature skill trees, opting instead for emergent character growth through traits and ancillaries, similar to earlier titles like Medieval 2 and Rome: Total War. The focus will be on developing powerful dynasties that pass down qualities through generations, rather than individual character skill progression. The team is also drawing inspiration from popular mods like Europa Barbarorum 2 and Stainless Steel.
"A great score is not heard" - From Indiana Jones to Star Wars, musical legend Gordy Haab on becoming a caretaker of some of video games' most prolific franchises
Composer Gordy Haab, known for his work on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, discusses his career and approach to video game music. Haab emphasizes the importance of enhancing narrative and emotion, drawing parallels between scoring games and films, and highlights how video game music is increasingly exposing younger generations to orchestral compositions.
Bite Sized Reviews: Stellar Tactics
Stellar Tactics, a game that recently exited Early Access after launching in 2017, offers an ambitious blend of old-school RPG mechanics and space combat within a procedurally generated galaxy. Developed by a small team, it features a vast scope with elements of exploration, piracy, ship management, and trade, though some systems lack depth and the interface is considered clunky. Despite its rough edges and unpolished presentation, the game provides a compelling sandbox experience for its $19.99 price point.
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek has no interest in writing Half-Life 3: 'I don't want to touch that with a…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek stated he has no interest in working on Half-Life 3 or any other sequels due to the pressure of existing lore and fan expectations. He prefers creating new characters and stories rather than revisiting established universes, finding the prospect of writing for them a "disaster nightmare."
I can see both sides in the Mixtape controversy argument - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature discusses the controversy surrounding the indie game Mixtape, acknowledging both its positive aspects and criticisms. The author praises its unique vibes, expressive storytelling, and imaginative gameplay segments, while also noting potential issues with tone, character believability, and reliance on nostalgia.
007 First Light Could Do For Bond What Arkham Asylum Did For Batman
This article analyzes how IO Interactive's upcoming James Bond game, 007 First Light, could achieve a similar impact for the character as Batman: Arkham Asylum did for Batman. It suggests that by focusing on Bond's early career and integrating his gadgets, charm, and improvisational skills into gameplay systems, First Light can make players feel like they are truly embodying the iconic spy. The analysis highlights the importance of player agency and environmental design in creating an immersive experience that captures the essence of James Bond.
Pokemon Champions producer on how the team is deciding which Pokemon to include in the game and more
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino discussed the game's development, including the criteria for selecting which Pokemon are included and how special mechanics like Mega Evolutions and Terastallization will be implemented. The team is prioritizing ease of understanding for new players, with a focus on Pokemon that clearly demonstrate battle strengths. The game is available on Nintendo Switch.
MMO Hype Train: Is it smart or foolish for upcoming MMOs to embrace hardcore attitudes?
This article discusses the trend of upcoming MMORPGs embracing hardcore design philosophies, questioning whether this approach is wise or foolish. While some games like Embers Adrift and Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen have adopted more challenging mechanics, their success has been limited. The author notes the appeal of difficult games like Dark Souls but questions if there's enough demand for entire MMORPGs to be built around such a premise, especially given the inherent risks in the current market.
Subnautica 2's no-killing ethos "will be a continued point of resistance" among players, say Unknown Worlds, but they have no plans to change it
Unknown Worlds acknowledges that Subnautica 2's non-violent design, which emphasizes adaptation over combat, will face player resistance but remains a core tenet of the franchise. Design lead Anthony Gallegos stated that while players may desire self-defense options, the studio aims to provide tools for distraction and coexistence rather than direct confrontation. Co-founder Charlie Cleveland previously expressed a desire to move away from kill-driven experiences.
Subnautica 2 devs are trying to push players towards non-violence in the sequel: "We feel strongly about it"
Unknown Worlds, the developer of Subnautica 2, is emphasizing a non-violent approach for players in the upcoming sequel. The studio aims to continue the first game's philosophy of coexistence with the natural world rather than colonization, focusing on survival elements without encouraging combat against the alien wildlife.
Fallout's creator reveals you could have played as a snoring cow hater who believes in UFOs, had Black Isle stuck with its original licensed roleplaying system
The original Fallout game was initially developed using the GURPS licensed roleplaying system before switching to SPECIAL in early 1997 due to concerns over violence. GURPS featured a simpler stat system but a complex array of advantages, disadvantages, and quirks, some of which included unique character traits like 'believes in UFOs' or 'hates cows'.
Mixtape Is 2026’s Most Divisive Indie Hit — Here’s Why Everyone Is Talking About It | Invision Game Community
Mixtape, the latest release from Beethoven & Dinosaur and Annapurna Interactive, has become a highly discussed and controversial game of 2026. While praised for its emotional storytelling, soundtrack, and presentation inspired by 90s culture, it faces criticism for its perceived lack of traditional gameplay and accusations of "fake indie" marketing due to its publisher's backing. The game's reception highlights ongoing debates about what constitutes an indie title and how artistic merit should be valued against gameplay mechanics.
This upcoming SRPG lets you search characters by “chest size”
Indie developer Takashi Mochibe is developing a new strategy RPG that features a "big breasts search function" to highlight characters with a bust size of 100 cm or more, intended as a homage to traditional Japanese SRPGs. Mochibe's previous game, Dragon's Chronicles ~The Dark Demon Lord and the Sword of the Big Dipper~, is available on Steam and incorporates AI-generated assets.
"It's a pure skill issue": Clair Obscur Expedition 33 head says the RPG's notorious volleyball minigame is "easy," then proves it on stage
Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, addressed player complaints about the game's difficult minigames, particularly a volleyball challenge. Broche demonstrated the minigame on stage, asserting that its difficulty is a matter of player skill, not a design flaw. He revealed that he personally insisted on including these minigames, drawing inspiration from similar challenges in Final Fantasy 10.
I'm tired of everything getting turned into a roguelite, but I'll make an exception for pinball
The author expresses fatigue with the oversaturation of the roguelite genre in game development, citing the rapid release of similar titles on Steam. However, an exception is made for the upcoming game Pin-Crawl, which blends dungeon crawling with pinball mechanics, appealing to the author's love for both genres.
EVE Fanfest 2026: EVE Online’s Cradle of War expansion sets the universe on fire June 9th
CCP Games announced the upcoming Cradle of War expansion for EVE Online at EVE Fanfest 2026, launching June 9th. The expansion introduces Military Campaigns allowing players to contribute to NPC faction wars through various roles, new ships including Tech 2 Command Carriers and Navy Destroyers, and finally adds achievements and titles to the game. This update aims to provide new ways for players to engage with conflicts and reshape the game world.