Game Design
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That weird 007: First Light PS5 controller design is deliberate, IOI art director explains
IO Interactive art director Rasmus Poulsen explained that the unique design of the limited edition PlayStation 5 controller for 007: First Light is deliberate and not a misinterpretation of the iconic Bond gun barrel sequence. The design references the game's 'light' themes and UI elements, rather than simply replicating the franchise's opening. Poulsen also touched on the studio's decision not to use generative AI in development.
"Co-op makes everything significantly more difficult" - How Subnautica 2's addition of multiplayer required ground-up rethinking of the survival classic
Unknown Worlds Entertainment's Anthony Gallegos and Scott MacDonald discuss the challenges and design decisions behind implementing four-player co-op in Subnautica 2. They explain how the addition of multiplayer required a ground-up rethinking of core mechanics to maintain the survival classic's spirit while offering new, shared terrifying experiences and addressing player quality-of-life requests like non-shared inventories.
Subnautica 2 devs say it's 'an exploration game first,' expanding on the first game's 'masterclass' in designing player-driven discovery
Developers at Unknown Worlds state that Subnautica 2 prioritizes exploration over its survival mechanics, aiming to recapture the player-driven discovery of the original game. New features like ocean currents and updated graphics with dynamic lighting are intended to create a fresh sense of danger and wonder in the alien underwater world.
Subnautica 2's lead game designer says it helped cure his sea terror—only for its new apex ocean predator to give him all-new phobias: 'This is going to make many people sad and scared'
Subnautica 2's lead game designer, Anthony Gallegos, discusses how working on the sequel helped him overcome his fear of the ocean, only for a new apex predator called The Collector to reintroduce phobias. The Collector, a massive squid-like monster, is designed to be a terrifying threat, even in co-op gameplay. Subnautica 2 is set to launch in early access on May 14.
I just watched someone try to explain Deadlock to Joe Rogan for 6 minutes, and surprisingly, they kinda nailed it
Comedian Brian Simpson appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast to explain Valve's in-development MOBA, Deadlock. Simpson spent six minutes detailing the game's core concepts, including its economy and the steep learning curve, which Rogan ultimately grasped. The discussion highlighted the complexity and potential frustration inherent in the MOBA genre.
Vague Patch Notes: Stories in MMOs have always been here
This opinion piece argues that storytelling in MMORPGs is not a new phenomenon, citing examples from Ultima Online, World of Warcraft, and Guild Wars. While the presentation and execution of narratives have evolved, the core concept of integrating stories into MMOs has been present since the genre's inception. The author highlights how developers have consistently grappled with balancing overarching narratives and player-driven adventures.
Playing 007: First Light makes me wonder if it's actually possible to nail James Bond - but IOI has made a cracking attempt
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007: First Light, diverges from the studio's Hitman formula, opting for a linear, third-person stealth-action experience. The game emphasizes forward momentum and spectacle, aiming for a broader audience than the Hitman series. Early impressions highlight impressive production values and a focus on cinematic Bond moments, though questions remain about its ability to truly capture the essence of James Bond.
007 First Light Interview: IO on Bond’s Origin Story, Lana Del Rey, and Combat
IO Interactive's Theuns Smith discusses the upcoming game 007 First Light, focusing on the decision to feature a younger James Bond and the game's reimagined origin story. The interview also touches on the implementation of parkour mechanics, the evolution of combat systems, the use of gadgets like the Q Lens and Q Watch, and the casting of Patrick Gibson as Bond.
007 First Light Preview - IO Interactive Might Be The Perfect Bond Studio
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, is shaping up to be the James Bond title fans have been waiting for, offering a story-driven experience with strong action and set-piece moments. The preview highlights Bond's early days as a 00 agent, showcasing nimble traversal, strategic combat, and a believable portrayal of the character. The game utilizes the Glacier engine, similar to Hitman, but focuses on a more dynamic and responsive gameplay style with a strong emphasis on non-lethal takedowns and emergent gameplay possibilities.
Invincible VS Review: Great Combat, Thin Content
Invincible VS is a mechanically sound three-on-three fighting game featuring 18 characters from the Invincible universe, but it suffers from thin content. The story mode is extremely short and lacks depth, with most characters having similar movesets and limited unique abilities. While it offers rollback netcode and crossplay for the Fighting Game Community, its lack of substantial offline content and uniform character design may alienate both casual and competitive players.
Sony Patents AI That Learns How You Play - Then Works Against You | HappyGamer
Sony has patented an artificial intelligence system designed to learn a player's habits and then actively work against them in games. This technology could create dynamic difficulty that adapts to player skill, potentially leading to more challenging or frustrating experiences. While just a patent, it raises questions about the future of adaptive difficulty and player engagement in PlayStation titles.
Playing 007: First Light makes me wonder if it's actually possible to nail James Bond - but IOI has made a cracking attempt
IO Interactive's upcoming 007: First Light diverges from the Hitman formula, opting for a linear, third-person stealth-action experience. Art director Rasmus Poulsen explains the design choices, emphasizing Bond's heroic nature over Hitman's agent of chaos. The preview highlights the game's production values, straightforward gameplay mechanics, and cinematic set pieces, while questioning if it can truly capture the essence of James Bond.
Invincible VS Review | Giant Bomb
Invincible VS offers a fun and deep 3v3 tag-team fighting system reminiscent of Marvel vs. Capcom and Killer Instinct, with smart mechanics that encourage team usage and defensive options. However, its single-player content, including a short story mode and a basic arcade mode, is disappointingly thin, making it feel geared primarily towards competitive players despite its $50 price point.
"A single-player MMO is almost like cheating": Crimson Desert is "awesome," former Elder Scrolls Online director says, even if "I don't know what the hell I'm doing"
Former Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor praised Crimson Desert as "awesome," noting that its single-player MMO design feels like "cheating." He highlighted the game's lack of hand-holding, comparing its exploration to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and expressed his enjoyment despite not fully understanding all its mechanics after dozens of hours.
Slay The Spire 2 Is Fantastic, So Why Is It Being Review-Bombed?
Slay the Spire 2 is experiencing a significant review bombing on Steam, shifting from "Overwhelmingly Positive" to "Mostly Negative" ratings. This backlash appears to be primarily driven by Chinese players, who are frustrated with recent balance changes, particularly those affecting "infinites," and perceive review bombing as a primary communication channel with developers. The article explores the cultural nuances and community practices that may contribute to this phenomenon, while also questioning the effectiveness of such tactics.
The Resident Evil Movie Doesn't "Look Like RE," But Neither Do Some Of The Games
The upcoming Resident Evil movie adaptation by Zach Cregger deviates significantly from the game's established lore and characters, a departure that mirrors how some of the most celebrated games in the franchise, like Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, also reinvented the series. While some fans are concerned about the film's lack of overt connections to the games, the article argues that Resident Evil's strength lies in its atmosphere and gameplay, which Cregger's film aims to capture through its own interpretation.
Resident Evil Q&A: Director Zach Cregger shares inspirations and a new film teaser
Director Zach Cregger discusses his inspirations for the new Resident Evil film, drawing heavily from Resident Evil 2 and Village's survival horror mechanics and intense scares. The film aims to tell an original story within the Resident Evil universe, focusing on a character's journey through Raccoon City during the T-virus outbreak, and will feature numerous easter eggs for fans. The movie is set to release on September 18.
Behind the Helpers: The Personalities of Jolly Match 3 MR
Jolly Match 3 MR introduces five unique helpers, each with distinct personalities and playstyles designed to influence gameplay. Bonnie is spontaneous, Ruby is a free spirit, Frost is tactical, Rosie is a showstopper, and Tessa represents the player's journey. The article emphasizes how choosing the right helper and experimenting with combinations is key to success in the game.
Behold, the perfect game for isekai anime and manga fans, The Simpsons: Hit & Run believers, and anybody fantasizing about "being anywhere" but Earth right now
Truck-kun is Supporting Me From Another World, a new game from Strange Scaffold, is an open riff on the isekai anime and manga trend, blending it with elements of Final Fantasy 4 and Crazy Taxi. The game explores the appeal of escaping real-world obligations through reincarnation in a fantasy setting. It is scheduled for a PC release later this year.
Monster Crown: Sin Eater Evolves The Series With A Darker, Deeper Journey
Monster Crown: Sin Eater, developed by Studio Aurum and published by Red Art Games, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This latest entry in the monster taming series builds upon the original with darker storytelling, deeper systems, and a world that reacts to player decisions, focusing heavily on breeding and fusion mechanics.
