Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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How Video Games Improve Strategy, Creativity, and Problem Solving
Video games enhance cognitive skills such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and creativity by challenging players to make decisions, adapt to pressure, and learn through experience. Games like Minecraft, Valorant, and Civilization VI require players to plan ahead, manage resources, and test solutions, thereby strengthening critical thinking and adaptability. Multiplayer games further foster teamwork, communication, and coordination, contributing to overall cognitive development when played in moderation.
Everything Coming in Palia’s Royal Highlands Expansion (Overview Guide)
Palia's upcoming Royal Highlands expansion, releasing May 12, 2026, introduces a vast new adventure zone, the game's first mounts (horses), and numerous new features. Players can explore ancient ruins, gather new resources, meet a new villager named Eshelon, and customize their homes and clothing. The expansion also includes a new storage tier and a Lunar Path focused on raising horses.
New Subnautica 2 gameplay teaser has just dropped and if you weren't excited before, you will be now
Unknown Worlds has released a new gameplay teaser for Subnautica 2, showcasing the environments, tools, and crafting players can expect. The game is set to launch into early access on May 14th, with a bonus in-game Reaper statue for first-week purchasers. Developers confirmed that no generative AI was used in the game's development, despite publisher Krafton's AI ambitions.
Civilization 7's "Time-Tested" civs created a new balance problem, but Firaxis found the ideal solution
Firaxis Games Design Lead Matt Owens details the 'Test of Time' update for Civilization 7, which allows players to keep a single civilization throughout the entire game timeline. This update addresses balance issues by introducing new mechanics like 'Time-Tested Ages' and the 'Syncretism' tool, enabling factions to adapt and remain competitive outside their 'Apex Age'.
5 Open World Games That Leave You Alone (2026) | TAG
This guide highlights five open-world games designed to respect solo play: Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, and Horizon Forbidden West. These titles minimize social popups and integrated multiplayer, focusing instead on the player's individual experience. The article also discusses why modern open-world games often push social features, citing retention metrics and live-service monetization as key drivers.
Why Metroid Prime 4 definitely deserves its bad reputation - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature discusses the perceived flaws of Metroid Prime 4 on the Nintendo Switch, despite acknowledging its strong presentation, soundtrack, and boss design. The author criticizes the game's open-world elements, repetitive backtracking, and tedious crystal harvesting sequences, suggesting these issues stem from a troubled development at Retro Studios.
Invincible VS Interview – Violence, Learning Tools, Gameplay Identity, and More
Quarter Up developers Mike Willette, Dave Hall, and Bill Merrill discuss the fighting game Invincible VS, focusing on its brutal yet organic violence, gameplay identity, and approachability. They detail the game's tag mechanics, combo systems, and post-launch support plans. The team also touches on performance targets for current-generation consoles, including the PlayStation 5 Pro.
007 First Light – 15 New Details That Caught Our Attention
007 First Light introduces a younger James Bond focused on heroism and improvisation, differentiating itself from the Hitman series. The game will feature branching choices for combat, stealth, and dialogue, with a narrative that follows Bond's early career before MI6. Key gameplay elements include hacking with the Q Lens, a slow-motion 'Focus' mode, bluffing mechanics, and conditional approaches to missions, though players cannot move bodies.
Mass Effect hasn't been great in "a long time," but "D&D in space" RPG Exodus can fill the gap according to Hasbro's CEO
Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks believes the upcoming sci-fi RPG Exodus, developed by former BioWare staff, can fill the void left by the Mass Effect series' perceived decline. He describes Exodus as "D&D in space" and highlights the pedigree of its development team. The article notes the long wait for a high-quality Mass Effect title since Mass Effect 2.
"They were totally game to play ball": how Zachtronics almost made a Star Trek engineering sim
Former Zachtronics founder Zach Barth discusses an abandoned pitch for a Star Trek engineering simulation game, which was considered after a Warhammer 40,000 pitch fell through. Licensing issues with Star Trek and The Orville, along with creative control concerns, ultimately led Barth and his colleagues to develop their own original puzzle game, U.V.S. Nirmana.
Warframe of Mind: The big guide to picking a frame – Rhino, Ash, Nyx
This guide delves into the early Warframe 'Frames, specifically Rhino, Ash, and Nyx, discussing their strengths, weaknesses, and design intentions. Rhino is presented as a simple, effective 'dude with a gun,' while Ash is criticized for being a stereotypical ninja who underperforms. Nyx is noted for her unique psionic abilities but lacks significant killing power and utility for team support.
"Who knows, we could bring him back when he's 70" - Resident Evil Requiem director reckons Leon's got what it takes to last
Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi believes the character Leon S. Kennedy could remain a compelling protagonist even into his 70s, suggesting an approach that doesn't strictly age characters with each new installment. The game itself has become Capcom's fastest-selling entry, exceeding 7 million copies sold.
Legendary Nintendo Designer Takashi Tezuka Announces Retirement After 42 Years
Legendary Nintendo designer Takashi Tezuka, instrumental in shaping franchises like Mario and The Legend of Zelda, announced his retirement effective June 26, 2026, after 42 years with the company. Tezuka, who joined Nintendo in 1984, directed titles such as Super Mario Bros. 3 and A Link to the Past, and served as lead producer for the Mario series for two decades. The announcement was made alongside Nintendo's financial results, which also noted a planned price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2.
One of Nintendo's most important Mario and Zelda designers is set to retire
Takashi Tezuka, a key designer behind influential Nintendo titles like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, is set to retire on June 26, 2026, after 42 years with the company. Tezuka, who co-designed early Mario and Zelda games with Shigeru Miyamoto, also served as a producer on later titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Pragmata Might Be Gaming’s Next Big Evolution
This opinion piece argues that seeking novel experiences, like those offered by Capcom's Pragmata, is key to combating the feeling of time accelerating with age. The author praises Pragmata's innovative 'synaptic shooter' gameplay, which blends third-person combat, hacking puzzles, and agile movement, creating a unique and engaging experience that forces players to think and adapt.
Helldivers 2's galactic war will include more "multi-week themed campaigns" and "branching outcomes" starting this summer, Arrowhead reveal
Arrowhead Game Studios has announced upcoming changes to Helldivers 2's Galactic War, including multi-week themed campaigns with branching outcomes starting this summer. The developer also addressed community concerns regarding exosuit unlocks, confirming that new vehicles will still be available through gameplay in addition to Warbonds. Further updates will include new stratagems, ship evolutions, and an increased player progression cap.
007 First Light's License to Kill system adds nuance to its escalating action as "Bond won't shoot an…
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, features a 'License to Kill' system that adds nuance to its action by restricting when James Bond can use lethal force. Senior combat designer Tom Marcham explains that Bond will not shoot unarmed individuals, and the system dynamically escalates from stealth to combat based on enemy actions. This approach aims to capture the essence of James Bond while offering a distinct gameplay experience compared to IO Interactive's Hitman series.
Warhorse Knows They May Lose Some Players Because Kingdom Come: Deliverance Is Intentionally Difficult, but That's What Makes It Special
Warhorse Studios, the developer behind Kingdom Come: Deliverance, acknowledges that the game's intentional difficulty may alienate some players. However, the studio believes this challenging design is a core part of what makes the series unique and special.
Everything is Crab review
Everything is Crab is an action roguelike inspired by Spore's creature phase, offering a unique take on the genre with its focus on ecosystem and evolution. While praised for its creativity and visual representation of creature mutations, the game suffers from overly frequent leveling-up interruptions and slow meta-progression, making it feel more like a novelty than a long-term obsession.
Harley’s Humongous Adventure
Harley's Humongous Adventure is an action platformer with a unique premise inspired by Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, where players control a scientist shrunk to ant size. While the game features creative level design, varied gameplay mechanics, and a distinctive claymation-sprite art style, it is hampered by inconsistent hit detection, frustrating controls, and a lack of polish, ultimately making it a decent but forgettable experience.
