Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Pragmata's Uncanny New York Stage Was Meticulously Crafted By Humans to Look AI-Generated
Capcom's upcoming game Pragmata features a New York-inspired cityscape that was intentionally designed to appear AI-generated, despite being meticulously crafted by human developers. Director Cho Yonghee and producer Naoto Oyama explained that the team aimed for a 'slightly distorted' familiar location, incorporating subtle errors like sinking taxis and buses emerging from walls to achieve an uncanny, AI-like feel without being overly distracting.
Pokemon Champions producer had a "heated discussion" with one of Game Freak's original battle designers about removing a complicated mechanic after 30 years to make PvP more accessible
Pokemon Champions will remove the IV stat system to make competitive play more accessible, a decision producer Masaaki Hoshino discussed with an original Game Freak battle designer. This change aims to lower the barrier to entry for players interested in the Player vs Player aspect of the series. The free-to-play title will serve as the official game for the Pokemon Video Game Championships.
Bag of Dreams Brings Cozy Roguelike Magic to Steam Today
Bag of Dreams, a cozy roguelike dreambuilder, has launched on Steam today with a 15% discount. Developed by an indie team led by Mysta Lee, the game focuses on crafting dreams and combining synergies while fending off nightmares. The developers are actively seeking player feedback and localization support, aiming to create a unique and comforting gaming experience.
TMNT: Empire City creative director on adapting Turtles' style to a VR game
Empire City Creative Director Ace St. Germain discussed the challenges and process of adapting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' distinct style and action for a virtual reality game. The interview focused on translating the franchise's aesthetic into an immersive VR experience.
Nothing Beyond This Point Launches With Twisted Metroidvania Mechanics
Nothing Beyond This Point has launched on PC, introducing a unique Metroidvania mechanic where players spend health to deal damage, with infinite regeneration available. Developer Dieuwt aims to challenge genre conventions by shifting focus from health preservation to aggressive combat and spatial reasoning over traditional platforming. The game also features a unique approach to achievements and optional secret bosses.
As Minecraft's New Update Arrives, Mojang Says "Nothing Is Off The Table" For Future Drops
Mojang Studios has released Minecraft's Tiny Takeover update, which overhauls baby mobs. Product manager Anna Lundgren discussed the update's focus on cuteness and player agency, stating that "nothing is off the table" for future game content. The next update, Chaos Cubed, is expected within three months.
Forza Horizon 6’s Horizon Rush is Playground Games’ Answer to “One-and-Done” Showcase Events
Playground Games is introducing a new replayable event type called Horizon Rush in Forza Horizon 6, designed to address the one-and-done nature of previous Showcase Events. These obstacle-course-like challenges, unlocked via wristbands, will feature co-op and competitive play across diverse locations like a Tokyo dockyard and an Alpine ski resort. The studio focused on designing these Rush courses first, then building the environments around them to ensure a premium gameplay experience.
Screamer Interview – Anime Inspirations, Bringing back a Classic Series, Story, and More
Milestone game director Federico Cardini discusses the revival of the classic racing series Screamer, highlighting inspirations from anime and fighting games that influenced its unique Echo System and narrative. The game aims to blend cyberpunk and natural environments with a mature, anime-inspired story. It targets 60FPS on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with enhanced performance on PS5 Pro.
Pragmata’s Developers “Painstakingly Worked” to Make its New York Environment Look AI Generated
Capcom developers Yonghee Cho and Naoto Oyama discussed the creation of Pragmata's New York-inspired environment, aiming for an "AI generated" aesthetic with deliberate distortions. They detailed the painstaking effort to balance uncanny visual elements with gameplay clarity. The conversation also touched upon the challenges of designing the android companion Diana, drawing comparisons to Akira Toriyama's Arale.
Crimson Desert vs Red Dead Redemption 2 – Can It Match Rockstar’s Open World Giant?
This article compares Crimson Desert and Red Dead Redemption 2, highlighting Crimson Desert's strengths in environmental variety and combat, while acknowledging Red Dead Redemption 2's superior narrative, world cohesion, and NPC design. While Crimson Desert offers more systems and traversal options, Red Dead Redemption 2 is praised for its immersive realism and storytelling.
Lords of the Fallen II Shows Off a More Brutal Umbral in New Developer Video
CI Games revealed details about the reworked "Umbral 2.0" system in Lords of the Fallen II, emphasizing a more brutal and integrated horror experience. Player feedback has shaped the dual-realm mechanic, making Umbral more active and oppressive, with new enemies and a focus on physical combat. The game is set for a 2026 global release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
I wish I were melting my brain in Screenbound right now instead of simply writing about it, and I'm not bitter…
Screenbound is an upcoming puzzle platformer from Crescent Moon Games and Radical Forge that features a unique dual-screen mechanic. Players navigate a 3D world by manipulating a 2D Qboy device, requiring players to manage perspective and timing across both dimensions. The game is set to release in 2026 for Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Marathon sells 1.2 million copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox | News-in-brief
The Nordic Game conference, taking place May 26-29, has announced its speaker lineup, featuring developers from Wishfully, Those Eyes, and Windup Games discussing game design and development. The event will also introduce an inaugural AI Track, with talks from companies like Infinity Fiction and Nunu AI focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in game development, storytelling, and QA. The conference expects over 3,000 attendees in 2026 and will showcase over 100 indie games.
A Guild Hall for Everyone: The Social Network of Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds is designed to enhance its core multiplayer experience with a new squad system accommodating large groups and diverse playstyles. The game also introduces a fully voiced, veteran protagonist, shifting the narrative focus and allowing players to experience the Guild's inner workings. Solo players can utilize customizable NPC companions, ensuring a robust experience regardless of play preference.
Finally, CRKD is launching a pro controller that's shaped like a regular gamepad, and it promises TMR thumbsticks,…
CRKD is launching the Ult Pro, a new gamepad-style pro controller for PC and other platforms, priced at $69.99. It features advanced TMR thumbsticks to prevent stick drift, a 1,000Hz polling rate, wireless play, and customization options via the CRKD Companion App. The controller is set to release in June and aims to offer premium features at a more accessible price point.
Interview: How An Italian Lunch Led To The New Standard For Competitive Pokémon Battling
Masaaki Hoshino, Game Producer and Development Director at The Pokémon Company, discusses the development of Pokémon Champions, an upcoming competitive battling game for the Nintendo Switch. Hoshino highlights the game's focus on accessibility for new players while maintaining depth for competitive fans, drawing inspiration from past titles like Pokkén Tournament and the core Pokémon battle system. The interview also touches on the game's planned roster expansion and the evolution of the series over its 30-year history.
Crimson Desert is great because it's a total mess, not in spite of it, and I hope Pearl Abyss doesn't change…
Despite initial mixed reviews and concerns about its share price, Crimson Desert has become a fascinating and well-received open-world RPG. The game has achieved a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam and sold 3 million copies, with Pearl Abyss's stock climbing significantly. The author praises its eccentric design and ambitious ideas, hoping the developer doesn't sand off its unique edges.
Star Wars: Zero Company Breaks Its Silence With New Artwork Ahead of Hands-On Coverage
Respawn Entertainment has released new artwork for their upcoming game, Star Wars: Zero Company. The article suggests that the game upholds a tradition within Star Wars games that future titles should move away from.
Marathon is rescheduling its frustrating endgame, but you're still against the clock: 'No schedule is perfect,…
Bungie is adjusting the schedule for Marathon's endgame modes, Cryo Archive and Ranked, to address player feedback about overlapping availability. While the new schedule separates the modes entirely, Bungie acknowledges that no schedule is perfect and will continue to consider player feedback for future adjustments. The developer is exploring ways to improve player experience within the game's live service framework.
Baldur's Gate 3 devs had bigger romance system ambitions that got killed by 'time constraints,' like a platonic 'friendship system' for the companions you don't smooch
Baldur's Gate 3 writer Kevin VanOrd revealed that Larian Studios had ambitions for a more expansive romance and friendship system that were cut due to time constraints. He expressed a desire for companions to have their own romantic relationships independent of the player, similar to Mass Effect 3, and noted the positive reception of the existing romance options.
