Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Saros Was Made More Approachable Than Returnal So More Players Could Enjoy It
Housemarque's Gregory Louden and Matti Häkli explain that Saros was designed to be more approachable than Returnal to allow more players to enjoy the experience. While Saros offers more tools and modifiers for players to experiment with, they emphasize it is not necessarily easier, but rather provides more room to learn mechanics and achieve a flow state. The goal is to introduce more players to the Housemarque experience, potentially leading them to explore the studio's previous titles.
HLE Zeka Wants Assassin Meta Back in League Midlane | HappyGamer
HLE's midlaner Zeka expressed a desire to see assassins like Zed and Fizz return to the League of Legends midlane meta, believing it would make the game more entertaining for viewers. While acknowledging potential frustrations for other roles and the inherent risks of assassin play, Zeka's perspective highlights a community desire for more exciting and unpredictable gameplay.
Massively Overthinking: Should MMOs reward players for content they were gonna do anyway?
This article discusses the potential negative impacts of over-gamification in MMORPGs, where rewards for basic activities like logging in or completing daily quests can diminish intrinsic motivation. Several writers share experiences of feeling obligated to play rather than enjoying the game, leading to burnout and a loss of interest. The discussion explores whether these systems benefit players or studios in the long term.
Walk of Life Adds 90s-Inspired Arcade to New Map Before Launch | HappyGamer
Walk of Life is launching its full release tomorrow, May 1st, on PC with a new update that introduces a competitive 90s-inspired arcade system. Developed by PF Studios, this feature allows players to earn score by playing mini-games within the Chailand map, with high scores contributing to their overall game score. The arcade system aims to add tactical depth and replayability by creating a risk-versus-reward dynamic alongside the main objectives.
Fortnite's new partnered Star Wars games are a bad look for both Fortnite and Star Wars
The new Star Wars-themed games within Fortnite, including Galactic Siege, Droid Tycoon, and Escape Vader, are criticized for their low quality and lack of polish, resembling dated movie tie-in games. The article argues these experiences, developed by Fortnite Creative partners, fail to leverage the Star Wars IP effectively and highlight limitations in the platform's user-generated content capabilities.
Elder Scrolls Online vet hates when people call the MMO a "WoW clone" since "you're not going to have fun at all" if you play it like Blizzard's game
Former The Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor expressed frustration with comparisons of ESO to World of Warcraft, stating that approaching the game like a 'WoW clone' leads to a poor experience. Firor emphasized that while both are MMORPGs, ESO's systems are fundamentally different from WoW's, and players should engage with it as an Elder Scrolls title to enjoy its strengths, particularly its story.
How we Built a Quest Around Curiosity in Adorable Adventures
Wild Sheep Studio's Creative Director Steven ter Heide discusses the design philosophy behind Adorable Adventures, a cozy exploration game focused on curiosity and gentle discovery. The game, which launches today on Xbox Series X|S, centers on a young boar named Boris who must reunite with his scattered family using his sense of smell. The developers aimed to create a relaxed experience where players are encouraged to explore at their own pace, with the narrative guided by a Forest Guard who acts as an observer rather than a director.
Control Resonant New Game Plus Unlocks Fourth Artifact Slot for Complex Builds | HappyGamer
Remedy Entertainment has detailed the New Game Plus mode for Control Resonant, which will include a fourth artifact slot to enable more complex build combinations. This mode preserves player abilities and upgrades while resetting traversal abilities, and introduces new enemy behaviors to challenge returning players. The studio aims to extend the game's lifespan and cater to players seeking deeper mechanical customization.
MotoGP26 review – Pole Goal
MotoGP 26 offers a refined racing simulation experience with sharper handling and more intelligent AI opponents compared to previous entries. While not a revolutionary leap, the game provides meaningful improvements to its core gameplay and career mode. New features like card collecting add some novelty, though the overall presentation remains solid rather than spectacular.
007 First Light Is Chasing Bond Authenticity In A New Universe
IO Interactive is developing 007 First Light, a new third-person, story-driven action-adventure game that reimagines James Bond through an original origin story. The game will combine stealth, gadgets, car chases, and cinematic set pieces, aiming for authenticity with brand partners like Aston Martin and Omega. Theuns Smit, licensing producer at IO Interactive, discussed the collaborative process of integrating these elements to create a unique gaming universe for Bond. 007 First Light is set to release on May 27, 2026, for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, with a Nintendo Switch release planned for summer.
Exploring the Future of RPGs: How Rebel Wolves is striving to raise the bar with The Blood of Dawnwalker
Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by former CD Projekt RED veterans, aims to elevate the RPG genre with their upcoming game, The Blood of Dawnwalker. The title emphasizes player agency and meaningful choices within a narrative sandbox, featuring a day/night cycle that impacts the protagonist's abilities and motivations. The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X on September 3, 2026.
The Blood of Dawnwalker makes one hell of a first impression
The Blood of Dawnwalker, the debut RPG from former CD Projekt Red veterans at Rebel Wolves, emphasizes player choice and time management in its narrative sandbox. The game features a day/night cycle that impacts gameplay and story progression, with consequences for every decision. Rebel Wolves aims to redefine role-playing by bringing the improvisational nature of pen-and-paper RPGs to a virtual setting.
Marvel Rivals Hellfire Gala 2026: A No-FOMO Guide for Adults
This guide breaks down the Hellfire Gala 2026 event in Marvel Rivals, emphasizing its player-friendly design for adults with jobs. The event runs from April 23 to May 28, with the free Emma Frost skin available in Phase 2 and requiring approximately 5-10 hours of gameplay. The article highlights NetEase's commitment to delivering promised rewards and contrasts the event's fair monetization with other live-service games.
Wizards of the Coast Announces New TCG Mood Swings Coming To Secret Lair
Wizards of the Coast has announced a new standalone trading card game called Mood Swings, designed by Magic: The Gathering Head Designer Mark Rosewater. The game aims for approachability with a pre-built deck system, offering a fast-paced, light strategy experience for two to four players. Mood Swings will be available on June 1st for $24.99 exclusively through the Secret Lair website.
Milestone Interview – MotoGP, Roadmaps, Rides and Screamers
Milestone's Game Director Matteo Pezzotti and Lead Game Designer Stefano Talarico discuss MotoGP 26, highlighting the new Rider-Based Handling physics and an expanded Career mode that allows players to experience the season as a real MotoGP rider. They also touch upon the challenges of yearly installments, long-term roadmaps, AI improvements, and the studio's approach to balancing realism with accessibility for both hardcore fans and newcomers.
Control Resonant: Remedy shares first details on New Game Plus
Remedy Entertainment has shared details about the New Game Plus mode for Control Resonant, which will allow players to carry over upgrades, abilities, and artifacts into a fresh playthrough. This mode aims to provide more opportunities for build experimentation with an additional artifact slot and increased enemy difficulty. Control Resonant is set to release on PlayStation 5 in 2026.
Apex Legends' Axle is another movement character, but other playstyles are "viable and important," devs say
Apex Legends Season 29 introduces a new movement-focused Legend named Axle, whose Nitro Gates ability encourages team play. Developers at Respawn Entertainment emphasize that non-movement playstyles remain important and viable. The season also brings significant changes to teammate respawning, weapon balancing, and map rotations, including the removal of Tridents from certain maps.
10 Best third-person RPGs to play in 2026
This article ranks the top 10 third-person RPGs available in 2026, highlighting games that excel in gameplay, story, and overall experience. The list includes titles like Fable Anniversary, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Fallout 4, and the newly released Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, offering a diverse range of RPG experiences.
Morning Interviews
The lead game designer for 007 First Light explained how the game differentiates itself from the Hitman series. Separately, the lead designer for Subnautica 2 stated that working on the game helped them overcome their fear of the ocean.
How Accessibility Features Are Expanding in Modern Video Games
Modern video games are increasingly integrating accessibility as a core design standard, moving beyond optional settings to cater to a wider audience. This evolution includes features for motor, visual, auditory, cognitive, and situational needs, driven by improved development tools, industry best practices, and player feedback. The trend signifies a growing maturity in the gaming industry, aiming to make interactive experiences more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
