Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Is there romance in Crimson Desert? Everything you need to know
Crimson Desert does not feature traditional romance options, unlike many modern RPGs. The game's structure, similar to Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Legend of Zelda, focuses on character perspectives and narrative arcs that do not include romantic storylines. While expansions could potentially introduce such elements, they are currently absent and not considered a missing component of the game's design.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: a deep dive into PS VR2 mode
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will feature a free PlayStation VR2 update, requiring significant redesign of cockpit interactions for the PS VR2 Sense controllers. The development team focused on technical challenges like maintaining framerate with foveated rendering and frame duplication, while drawing inspiration from Gran Turismo 7's VR implementation. The game aims to deliver an immersive sense of scale and authenticity, with specific attention paid to the unique experiences offered by various aircraft types in VR.
Dominus Automa is an MMORPG where players set characters up for auto-grinding in an open world
Dominus Automa is an upcoming MMORPG from Metashift Labs that focuses entirely on automated gameplay, allowing players to set up character routines for grinding and resource gathering. The game emphasizes strategic setup of combat, priorities, and long-term goals, featuring a player-driven economy and crafting. Upcoming tests will focus on multiplayer functionality, with the game available for wishlisting on Steam.
Everything You Need to Know Before You Play – Expert Game Reviews
Crimson Desert is an action-adventure game by Pearl Abyss, released on March 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and macOS. The game features a single-player, third-person open-world experience with combo-driven combat and a unique progression system that eschews traditional XP and leveling in favor of Abyss Artifacts. Players can explore the vast continent of Pywel, encountering over 300 hours of content, and can switch between three distinct playable characters: Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka.
"As soon as it fired up, he'd get up and go to lunch": How Age of Empires' developers tested mission difficulty
Former Ensemble Studios designer Ian Fischer discusses the unique method studio head Tony Goodman used to test mission difficulty in the original Age of Empires: he would leave for lunch and only return if the scenario was not too difficult. This approach aimed to ensure game accessibility, a principle Fischer has carried to his later work, though he cautions against making games too vanilla.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's lead writer "never even considered" a true, happy ending for the hit RPG
Lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen stated that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not have a canon ending, with both available conclusions being equally valid. The studio intentionally avoided creating a definitive happy ending, encouraging players to engage with the game's narrative subjectivity. This approach is seen as a deliberate choice to foster discussion and contemplation within the game's universe.
Baldur's Gate 3 writer admits "I wish I could have done more" with the RPG's least-appreciated party member, like a dedicated friendship system and inter-party dates
Baldur's Gate 3 writer Kevin VanOrd expressed a desire to have done more with the companion Wyll, noting his content felt sparser compared to other party members. Larian Studios acknowledges this sentiment, with fans frequently discussing Wyll's perceived lack of development, particularly in romance options, despite the game having received its final major update.
Here are 9 incredibly specific and petty beefs I have with Crimson Desert
This opinion piece details numerous specific and minor frustrations the author experienced during 80 hours of playtime with Crimson Desert. Issues include accidental jumping instead of item pickup, restrictions on fast travel, the inability to hide cosmetic headgear, unskippable cutscenes, mandatory masks for theft, lack of storage, slow dialogue, and the inability to keep pet goats.
Fallout 3's GOTY Edition was a bit of a misfire, admits Bethesda veteran, but "we've gotten better at…
Bethesda game artist Istvan Pely reflected on the awkward DLC integration in Fallout 3's Game of the Year Edition, stating the company has improved its approach for newer titles like Starfield. Pely noted that early DLC implementations often interrupted the player's immersion with immediate unlock notifications.
As The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion turns 20 years old, Bethesda creative lead says the RPG is "what Bethesda games…
As The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion celebrates its 20th anniversary, Bethesda creative producer Tim Lamb reflects on its revolutionary impact on the series' design and its role in shaping subsequent titles like Fallout 3, Fallout 4, and Skyrim. Lamb highlights how Oblivion's success paved the way for Bethesda's modern game development philosophy.
Into the Super-verse: Why is City of Heroes still the superhero MMORPG standard bearer?
City of Heroes remains the benchmark for superhero MMORPGs despite its shutdown, outperforming newer titles like Ship of Heroes and City of Titans. The article argues its enduring appeal stems not from perfect mechanics or balance, but from its embrace of the inherent absurdity and wild creativity found in superhero fiction, allowing players to engage in fun, nonsensical scenarios.
Opinion: Is Winds & Waves Just 'Pokémon: Tears Of The Kingdom'?
This opinion piece speculates that the upcoming Pokémon: Winds and Waves games will draw heavy inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, particularly in its exploration mechanics. The author theorizes that players will be able to traverse land, sea, and sky using various Pokémon abilities, similar to Link's powers in Tears of the Kingdom. The article also touches on potential puzzle integration and the evolution of the Pokémon series' open-world design.
Hands On: Crimson Desert Runs Well Enough on PS5 Pro, But What About That Intro?
Crimson Desert offers a visually impressive open world that runs acceptably on the PlayStation 5 Pro, particularly in Performance Mode, though some issues like texture pop-in and occasional crashes persist. The game's controls and early narrative design are criticized for being baffling and disjointed, with a main quest that lacks clear context or connective tissue between objectives.
"A balancing paradigm I often look at is Starcraft": Total War: Medieval 3 won't lean too hard on rock-paper-scissors combat, says creative director
Creative Assembly's Total War: Medieval 3 will move away from rigid rock-paper-scissors combat mechanics, according to creative director Leif Walter. The game will instead focus on contextual and situational counters, drawing inspiration from games like Starcraft. Walter emphasized that while countering is important for strategy, authenticity and immersion will be prioritized over strict unit-vs-unit advantages.
100 hours of Crimson Desert made me realize how perfect Breath of the Wild is
After over 100 hours in Crimson Desert, the author finds themselves wishing they were playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. While Crimson Desert is a competent open-world game inspired by Breath of the Wild and Dragon's Dogma, it lacks the focused intent and cohesive design that makes Nintendo's title so compelling. The article highlights how Breath of the Wild masterfully integrates its core mechanics into every aspect of gameplay, creating a more purposeful and layered experience compared to Crimson Desert's maximalist approach.
Assassin's Creed Shadows features "will make their way to other games," franchise lead says: "We've improved parkour, and a lot of stealth, and the fighting"
Thierry Danserau, art director for Assassin's Creed Shadows, stated that technological advancements in the game, such as micropolygon and dynamic weather systems, will be integrated into future titles. He also highlighted improvements made to parkour, stealth, and combat mechanics, indicating a continued evolution of the franchise's core gameplay elements.
CD Projekt Red shares "important development update" for mysterious new franchise Hadar
CD Projekt Red has announced significant progress on its new franchise codenamed Hadar, with joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski stating that the foundations of this entirely new IP have been established. The team is actively prototyping mechanics in Unreal Engine and defining the world's key pillars, with 26 people allocated to the project. While details remain scarce, the company aims for Hadar to be distinct from The Witcher and Cyberpunk.
Review - Haunted Lands (PC) | WayTooManyGames
Haunted Lands is a platformer that leans into a difficult game design philosophy reminiscent of older titles. While it can be fun for a while, its artificial challenges may quickly lead to boredom depending on player patience. The reviewer suggests it could have benefited from a stronger focus on its shoot 'em up elements.
WoW: Midnight's Player Housing Is Great, If You Can Afford The Decor Grind
World of Warcraft: Midnight introduces a robust player housing system with extensive customization options, allowing for significant creativity. However, the system is criticized for a grindy decor acquisition process and the potential for microtransactions to overshadow the experience, though the core functionality is praised as a strong foundation for future updates.
World Of Warcraft: Midnight Review - Back At It Again In Quel'thalas
World of Warcraft: Midnight, the 11th expansion for Blizzard's MMORPG, offers an approachable endgame, player housing, and a nostalgic campaign set in Quel'thalas. The expansion continues the evolution of the game with new systems like Prey for outdoor world challenges and built-in UI tools, while also revamping iconic locations like Silvermoon City. Despite some pacing issues and less impactful class changes, Midnight provides a compelling experience for both new and returning players by blending modern gameplay with homage to the past.
