Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Hollowed Oath Clears 35% of Kickstarter Goal in First 24 Hours
God Mode Games' heroic fantasy MMORPG Hollowed Oath has successfully raised $35,025 of its $100,000 Kickstarter goal within its first 24 hours. The game emphasizes player choice, respect for player time, and social gameplay, with a playable build already available for backers. Funds will support alpha development, expanded content, and new features.
Civ 7 is getting 'by far the most-requested addition' later this month, but I'm more interested in whether it'll finally feel fully baked
Firaxis announced that Sid Meier's Civilization VII's 'Test of Time' update will be released on May 19, introducing the highly requested feature to play a single civilization throughout an entire campaign. This major free update also overhauls the victory system, adds optional side objectives called 'triumphs,' and includes UI improvements and balance changes.
Is GTA Online Toxic? An Honest Answer Backed by Data (2026) | TAG
Grand Theft Auto Online is analyzed for its toxicity, with the article concluding that the issue stems from game design rather than a lack of moderation. The game's structure actively facilitates griefing, leading to a low community safety score. While Rockstar Games has improved anti-cheat measures, the core problem of gameplay-based harassment persists, with players often resorting to private sessions or workarounds to avoid negative interactions.
"We got it wrong" with Civilization 7, Take-Two boss admits, and he takes "responsibility" for the strategy game's failures: "What we tried to do was a bridge too far"
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick takes responsibility for the perceived failures of Sid Meier's Civilization VII, admitting the development team "got it wrong" in trying to push the envelope too far for consumers. Despite ongoing fixes and profitability, the game has struggled to match the player counts of its predecessors, Civilization VI and V. Firaxis Games is planning an "expansion-level" update to address player feedback.
Why The Super Mario Galaxy Games Are The Best In The Series
This article argues that the Super Mario Galaxy games are the best in the series, surpassing even the highly regarded Super Mario 64. The author praises their innovative gameplay, unique gravity mechanics, orchestral soundtracks, and overall joyful experience, particularly highlighting Super Mario Galaxy 2's improvements. The games are now readily available on the Nintendo Switch.
Helldivers 2 Lumberer Build for Parents: What Actually Works After the Launch Day Patch
This guide provides a build for the new Lumberer mech in Helldivers 2, designed for players with limited time. Despite community frustration over a recent patch that nerfed enemy damage scaling while ostensibly buffing mechs, the Lumberer is presented as a viable and forgiving option. The article details effective loadouts and strategies for using the mech, emphasizing its anti-tank and crowd-control capabilities.
'I'm Tired of Games That Are Too Big': Open World RPG Dawnwalker Doesn't Want to Waste Your Time
Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, creative director at Rebel Wolves, expresses a preference for more condensed open-world RPG experiences, citing inspiration from the Gothic series and praising Baldur's Gate 3 for maximizing player agency. While The Blood of Dawnwalker aims for a narrative sandbox with meaningful choices, current playtests indicate a playtime of 50-75 hours despite a time limit system.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead "was crossing fingers" the RPG wouldn't win Game of the Year because he was rooting for other "super creative games" instead
Tom Guillermin, co-founder of Sandfall Interactive and CTO of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, expressed that he was rooting for other games to win Game of the Year awards. He hoped to celebrate the creative and unique work of other developers. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 went on to win multiple awards, including Game of the Year at the Game Developers Choice Awards and Best Game at the BAFTA Awards.
Review: TetherGeist (Switch) - Satisfying Platforming That Owes A Debt To Celeste
TetherGeist is a highly satisfying precision platformer for the Nintendo Switch that draws inspiration from Celeste but carves its own path with innovative tether mechanics. While the main narrative is somewhat flat and minor visual bugs are present, the game excels with its smart level design, rewarding collectibles, and engaging gameplay that tests both reflexes and intellect. The game offers around 10 hours of content, with ample opportunity for completionists to hunt down hidden items.
Former Witcher 3 devs "can't" and "don't want to challenge" bigger games and companies with new RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker, and staying smaller let them "focus on the player's agency"
Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by veterans of CD Projekt Red, is developing the gothic RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker with a focus on player agency and a dense, smaller world rather than competing with larger titles. Lead quest designer Rafał Jankowski and CEO Konrad Tomaszkiewicz emphasize offering meaningful choices with high stakes, inspired by games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Gothic. The game is set to release on September 3.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 announces Test of Time update
2K has announced a free update for Sid Meier's Civilization 7 titled "Test of Time," launching May 19. This update introduces the ability for players to stick with a single civilization throughout an entire campaign, alongside reworked Victory systems and new Triumphs. The update also includes a new continent map, commerce screen, advisor council, and numerous balance changes.
Max Payne: The Third-Person Shooter Turned into a Cult Game Project
Max Payne is discussed as a cult classic that revolutionized the early 2000s gaming industry with its blend of noir atmosphere, cinematic presentation, and innovative "bullet time" gameplay. Remedy Entertainment's title is praised for its mature, tragic story and charismatic protagonist, setting a standard for narrative-driven action games.
I played Marathon and its 1994 predecessor to see how Bungie has evolved over the years
This article compares the original 1994 first-person shooter Marathon with its modern multiplayer reboot, highlighting how both games, despite fundamental differences, evoke a similar sense of dread through their respective design philosophies. While the classic game relies on tight level design and survival mechanics, the new Marathon uses extraction shooter elements and PvP to create tension. Bungie's evolution from story-driven single-player games to live-service titles is also discussed as a key factor in their current creative direction.
Why Instant Feedback Keeps Players Engaged
Modern games prioritize instant feedback loops, where actions trigger immediate visual and auditory responses, creating a seamless and engaging experience. This real-time responsiveness, crucial in competitive multiplayer and live service titles, has become a standard expectation across digital interactions, enhancing player immersion and reducing friction between intention and outcome.
Online Multiplayer Action RPG Farever Now Available in Early Access on Steam
Shiro Games has launched its online multiplayer action RPG, Farever, into Early Access on PC via Steam for $19.99. The game features a vast fantasy open world, multiple starting classes, and a gear-centric progression system. Shiro Games plans to develop the game alongside its community throughout the Early Access period.
Battlefield 6 Season 3 kicks off next week, and its gameplay trailer bets big on Battlefield 4 nostalgia
Battlefield 2042's third season is launching next week, featuring a gameplay trailer that heavily leans into nostalgia for Battlefield 4, including maps like Railway to Golmud and Cairo Bazaar. The season will also introduce classic weapons such as the L115 sniper rifle and M16A4 assault rifle, alongside a new Obliteration game mode. Electronic Arts is also adding a Ranked queue to the free-to-play battle royale component, REDSEC, in an effort to win back core players.
We Played Mood Swings, A New TCG From Wizards of the Coast 28 Years In The Making
Wizards of the Coast is preparing to release Mood Swings, a new trading card game prototype developed over 28 years by Magic: The Gathering's head designer, Mark Rosewater. Rosewater discussed the game's development journey and its focus on emotions during MagicCon Vegas.
Capcom: 90% of Resident Evil Requiem players prefer third-person with first person more divisive
Capcom's internal data for Resident Evil: Requiem indicates that approximately 90% of players preferred the third-person perspective for Leon Kennedy's sections. Grace's horror-focused segments showed a more divided player base, with 60% opting for the default first-person view and 40% switching to third-person. Director Koshi Nakanishi and producer Masato Kumazawa noted that most players adhered to the preset perspectives.
The Shore: Enhanced Edition Review – Cthulhu goes to the beach
The Shore: Enhanced Edition, a walking simulator with Lovecraftian themes, is reviewed for its console release. While the first half offers a moody and atmospheric experience with some interesting puzzles, the second half devolves into frustrating chase sequences and a questionable depiction of Cthulhu. The game is short, with much of the playtime spent repeating difficult sections.
Ambitious Hades 2 Mod Combines It With Everything From The First Game
A new mod for Hades II, titled Zagreus Journey, allows players to experience the entirety of the original Hades game within the sequel, playing as Melinoë. This ambitious mod includes returning areas, enemies, characters, and integrates Melinoë into the narrative. Supergiant Games has praised the mod, which is available for PC and Steam Deck and requires both Hades and Hades II to be installed.
