Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Samson Has One Thing That GTA Doesn’t: Consequences
The game Samson, described as a budget Grand Theft Auto clone, offers a deeper sense of consequence due to its roguelike-inspired structure. This contrasts with Rockstar's crime narratives, which lack similar repercussions for player actions.
The Science of the Quest: How Video Games Hack the Human Reward System
This article delves into the psychological science behind video games' addictive nature, explaining how mechanics like 'flow state,' balanced difficulty, and 'leveling up' tap into the human reward system, primarily through dopamine release. It also explores how gaming can foster social connections and even aid in addiction recovery by providing structure and a sense of achievement. The piece argues that gaming fulfills fundamental human needs for growth and belonging, offering lessons applicable to real-world challenges.
Peter Molyneux won’t retire when Masters of Albion launches: ‘I’m going to be absolutely involved for quite a few years’
Peter Molyneux has clarified that his upcoming game, Masters of Albion, will not mark his complete retirement from the industry. While it is intended as his last game as a primary developer, he plans to remain involved in game development for several more years, focusing on Masters of Albion's post-launch support and community engagement. Molyneux aims for Masters of Albion to be a redemption title, addressing past criticisms of overpromising and underdelivering.
The Spectacular FINAL FANTASY VI
This review of Final Fantasy VI highlights its innovative storytelling and technical achievements on the Super Nintendo, positioning it as a standout JRPG of its era. While praising the engaging first half and memorable character moments like the opera scene and Sabin's suplex, the review notes a difficulty spike on the floating continent and a less cohesive 'World of Ruin' section. Despite some criticisms regarding progression and Kefka's diminished role post-world domination, the game's final boss fight is lauded as a masterpiece, and its impact on JRPG storytelling is undeniable.
"Stop getting Bond wrong!" - Does the design of the 007: First Light PS5 controller look off to you?
The design of the limited edition 007: First Light DualSense controller for PlayStation 5 has sparked debate regarding its representation of the iconic James Bond gun barrel motif. While the art director stated the design pays tribute to the franchise's style and game themes, many fans and critics feel it fails to capture the recognizable visual signature. The article explores potential reasons for the design choice, including copyright issues and artistic interpretation, and discusses the exacting standards of the James Bond fandom.
Samson patch notes – vital fixes incoming in the first major update on Friday
The first major patch for the game Samson, titled Update 1, is set to release on Friday, addressing numerous issues that have impacted its reception. The update focuses on performance improvements, crash fixes, and critical mission progression bugs. It also includes general gameplay and polish enhancements, aiming to stabilize the experience and improve player satisfaction.
The Best Roguelikes for 30-Minute Sessions (We Actually Timed These) | TAG
This guide identifies roguelike games genuinely suitable for 30-minute play sessions, distinguishing between games that can be paused and those with naturally short, complete runs. It highlights titles like Vampire Survivors, Brotato, Balatro, Hades, and Dicey Dungeons as perfect fits, while also discussing games like Into the Breach and Slay the Spire that work well with save-and-quit features despite longer individual runs. The article aims to help busy gamers find satisfying experiences within limited time constraints.
Monster Hunter Wilds: A Bold Evolution That’s Dividing the Community
Monster Hunter Wilds is introducing significant changes aimed at broader accessibility, such as simplified systems, a versatile mount called the Seikret, and a reworked gear system. While these updates make the game more welcoming for new players, they have divided the long-time community who feel the series is losing its challenging identity and strategic depth.
Let the CPU Play for You in This Space RTS!
Stellar Warfare, a space real-time strategy game, will introduce a "CPU Assist" feature in its next update, allowing players to automate economy, defense, army production, and combat. This feature aims to help players focus on aspects of the game they enjoy most. The update also includes improvements to CPU opponents, flexible match setups, and various usability and visual upgrades.
Beyond Words Is A Must-Play For Scrabble And Puzzle Fans
Beyond Words, a word puzzle and roguelike strategy game from MindFuel Games and PQube, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game blends familiar wordplay with strategic planning, offering deep replayability with over 300 modifiers and evolving challenges. It has been praised for its creative freedom and strategic depth, earning a 5/5 review score.
Crimson Desert might have an enemy density problem, fans worry as they approach endgame
Players are expressing concerns about Crimson Desert's enemy density, particularly as they approach the endgame. The scarcity of combat encounters makes it difficult to complete challenges, farm Abyss Artifacts for skill progression, and upgrade gear. Fans suggest solutions like respawning enemies in camps or introducing random combat events to improve the player experience.
The Occultist Review – Make mine a medium
The Occultist is an investigative horror game that excels with its compelling narrative, well-designed puzzles, and strong voice acting, particularly from Doug Cockle. While the boss fights and QTE moments feel out of place and the game is short, its modest runtime is well-paced. Developed by Daloar, the game runs well on PC using Unreal Engine.
Samson Review - An Uninspiring Tyndalston Story | TNS
The action-adventure game Samson is criticized for its glitches, floaty combat, and a dull plot, preventing it from reaching its potential. The game's narrative is described as an uninspiring Tyndalston story.
It Takes Two Hits 30M Sales as Hazelight Studios Rewrites Co-op Gaming’s Story
Hazelight Studios announced that their cooperative title It Takes Two has surpassed 30 million sales, while their newer game Split Fiction has sold 7 million copies. These milestones highlight the commercial viability and cultural impact of story-driven cooperative gaming experiences, challenging industry norms that often favor solo or competitive play.
Forza Horizon 6’s Aftermarket Cars Are “Subtle Suggestions” for Players to Switch Things Up
Forza Horizon 6 will feature 'Aftermarket Cars' with unique body kits and parts, offered at low prices as a subtle suggestion for players to try different vehicles and customization options. Design director Torben Ellert explained that this approach, along with the new Collection Journal and fog of war map system, aims to encourage exploration and player freedom within the game's dense Japanese setting. The title launches May 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PC, including over 550 cars and new customization features.
Crimson Desert’s First Region Is Almost Too Good To Leave
Crimson Desert's initial region, Hernand, is so rich with content and engaging storylines that players are spending dozens of hours there before venturing into other areas. The region's intricate politics, numerous factions, and deep questlines make it feel like a complete game in itself, showcasing strong game design that immerses players in its world. This density suggests the remaining four regions will offer a similarly compelling experience.
15 More Insane Details You May Have Missed in Crimson Desert
This article highlights numerous small but impressive details discovered in Crimson Desert, ranging from dynamic NPC reactions to environmental effects impacting gameplay. It emphasizes the game's attention to detail in its open world, encouraging players to explore and observe their surroundings to uncover hidden mechanics and features.
Crimson Desert’s Late Game Is Hurt by One Massive Flaw
Crimson Desert's late game is significantly hampered by a design flaw where enemies do not respawn after being cleared, leading to an empty world and an inability to engage with core combat systems. This issue prevents players from testing builds, completing certain challenges, and fully enjoying the game's combat focus. Potential solutions include enemy respawn mechanics, faction wars, or a New Game Plus mode.
Crimson Desert's "enemy density issue is very real in the late game," says Palworld publishing chief, so…
John Buckley, publishing lead for Palworld, has acknowledged that Crimson Desert suffers from an "enemy density issue" in its late game, making it difficult for players to complete challenges. Players are reportedly spending an average of 20 hours per week in the game, leading to concerns about burnout and lack of content.
Pokemon Champions is off to a rough start – here’s why
Pokemon Champions has launched with significant performance issues and a lack of content, disappointing fans despite some quality-of-life improvements. The game suffers from choppy frame rates, clunky menus, a limited roster, and restrictive gameplay options, raising concerns about its future and monetization model.
