Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
For Science: It turns out The Youths really aren’t chasing video game graphics
A NewZoo analysis presented at GDC suggests that younger players are increasingly prioritizing game 'vibes,' social interaction, and in-game autonomy over graphical fidelity. Games like Roblox and Minecraft, which are not graphically intensive, remain highly popular among this demographic, while many AAA titles are less appealing.
Marathon's competitive mode is so complicated that Bungie made a literal maths test to figure it out, and it…
Bungie has detailed the complex scoring system for Marathon's upcoming ranked mode in an extraction shooter format. To help players understand the intricacies of score targets, loss penalties, and potential gains, the developer has created a 'ranked calculation worksheet' with mathematical problems based on in-game mechanics.
Why Risk Keeps Us Coming Back to Play - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
This article analyzes the role of risk in video games, explaining how meaningful uncertainty enhances player engagement and makes choices feel personal. It contrasts this with gambling, where risk is tied to real money, and discusses how game designers leverage psychological principles like near misses and the pursuit of mastery to frame risk effectively. The piece advises players to be aware of the difference between healthy challenges and manipulative design.
Vague Patch Notes: In MMORPGs, one person’s rush is another person’s idle
This analysis discusses the differing player behaviors within MMORPGs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV, particularly concerning expansion pacing. It highlights how players often judge each other's playstyles, whether rushing to the level cap or taking a more leisurely approach, and argues that there is no single 'correct' way to experience these games.
Inside .hack//Z.E.R.O.: CyberConnect2 on Reviving the Series and Its Modern JRPG Direction
CyberConnect2 Executive Vice President Taichiro Miyazaki discusses the upcoming .hack//Z.E.R.O., a self-published title marking the series' return and the studio's 30th anniversary. He details the process of securing the license from Bandai Namco and the approach to modern JRPG design, balancing classic elements with contemporary expectations. Miyazaki also touches on the themes of modern technology and the lessons learned from self-publishing the Fuga trilogy.
Ballgame Interview – Eliot Garcia Weisberg Talks New Ballgame!
Eliot Garcia Weisberg, Creative Director at Human Computer, discusses their new physics platformer, Ballgame, which blends inspirations from pinball, golf, and Sonic the Hedgehog. The game focuses on a unique ball-shooting mechanic and will feature various minigames, with a public demo planned to showcase more than just the golf-style gameplay.
DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH NOW AVAILABLE ON PC
KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS and Nixxes Software have released Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The PC version features enhanced graphics options including ray tracing, DLSS, FSR, and XeSS support, along with uncapped frame rates and full DualSense controller integration. The game offers new tools, weapons, and vehicles for Sam Porter Bridges as he undertakes a new mission to connect Australia to the Chiral network.
Death Stranding 2 review: Catharsis in the age of the algorithm
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach offers a compelling blend of mechanics and narrative, exploring themes of grief, connection, and humanity's relationship with artificial intelligence. The PC port is visually stunning and runs well, though some performance issues persist. The game's unique dualities, from deliberate locomotion to bombastic action sequences, ultimately coalesce into a meaningful experience.
Pokémon Pokopia Review - GameHaunt
Pokémon Pokopia offers a unique take on the franchise by setting players in a post-collapse Kanto where Pokémon must fend for themselves, with the player acting as a Ditto disguised as a trainer. This cozy sandbox game blends survival, discovery, and community building, creating an emotionally resonant experience focused on caretaking rather than capturing. The game runs cleanly on Nintendo Switch, featuring expressive Pokémon animations and a satisfying core loop of habitat creation and resource gathering.
Forza Horizon 6’s Customization Improvements and Crazier-Than-Ever Forza Edition Cars | IGN First - IGN
Forza Horizon 6 will feature significant improvements to car customization, including new refraction shaders for lights, window decals, and bespoke Forza aero parts tailored to each vehicle. The game will launch with 550 cars, the largest number in the series' history, and will introduce customizable garages where players can display their vehicles.
'Text is evil:' How making Peak changed indie studio Aggro Crab
Aggro Crab studio head Nick Kaman discussed how the rapid development of their hit game Peak, co-created with Landfall Games, led to a reevaluation of the studio's internal processes. Kaman highlighted Landfall's 'cowboy development' approach, characterized by minimal friction and spontaneous communication, as a key influence. This experience inspired Aggro Crab to adopt more fluid communication methods and trust in their team, ultimately leading to a more enjoyable and productive development environment.
Lord of the Rings Online explains why it settled on Rivendell for its Elf premium neighborhood
Standing Stone Games is releasing premium housing in Rivendell for Lord of the Rings Online this spring, focusing on a cozy, smaller footprint. Senior World Designer Matt Elliot explained that Rivendell was chosen over other Elven locations like Lothlorien and Mirkwood. A recent patch, Update 47.2, also addressed issues with the spring festival and a new raid.
How a Failing Nintendo Accessory Spawned the $100 Billion Pokémon Empire - IGN
The Pokémon franchise, now a $100 billion empire, owes its existence to Nintendo's initially failing Game Boy Link Cable. Game Freak co-founder Satoshi Tajiri envisioned using the cable for trading monsters, an idea championed by Shigeru Miyamoto, leading to the creation of Pokémon Red and Green. The limitations of the Game Boy hardware and the Link Cable heavily influenced the core gameplay mechanics, such as turn-based combat and the necessity of trading, which remain integral to the series today.
Crimson Desert review - it's a bit like prestige Candy Crush - Eurogamer
This review of Crimson Desert notes its similarities to "prestige Candy Crush" and discusses player concerns about open-world exploration, difficulty, and leveling systems. Comparisons are drawn to games like The Elder Scrolls and The Witcher 3, with some players expressing caution due to potential scam and hacker issues.
IGN Crimson Desert Review So Far
This article discusses player anticipation and concerns regarding Crimson Desert. One user preordered the game, planning to play on PlayStation while using PC for secondary accounts due to security worries. Others expressed interest in its open-world design, comparing it to The Elder Scrolls and The Witcher 3, while also raising concerns about potential difficulty and leveling systems.
Etrange Overlord Review - My Unequivocal, Manifested Bliss
Etrange Overlord is an action JRPG that blends comedy, drama, and heart with a charming cast and heartfelt storytelling. While its simplistic combat and grind-heavy progression are drawbacks, the game offers a refreshingly original experience with inventive mechanics like the lane system. The narrative successfully balances absurd humor with genuinely touching moments, making it a memorable journey despite gameplay shortcomings.
Crimson Desert "could" challenge GTA 6 for Game of the Year, claims Grand Theft Auto 5 dev – but only if…
Former Rockstar Games developer Mike York believes Pearl Abyss's upcoming RPG, Crimson Desert, has the potential to be a Game of the Year contender in 2026. He suggests this is possible if it can overcome the immense hype surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6, noting that Crimson Desert's depth could allow players to get lost in its world.
Pragmata interview: combat, hacking, resource management, and more
Capcom developers Yonghee Cho and Naoto Oyama discuss Pragmata, an upcoming PlayStation 5 sci-fi adventure launching April 17. They detail the game's blend of combat, hacking-based puzzles, resource management, and the attention to visual and audio detail, emphasizing how the RE Engine's flexibility supports unique game development.
Cruise Mode, X-Tech, and Robots: Starfield’s Biggest Overhaul Yet Arrives in April | COGconnected
Starfield is set to receive a significant overhaul in April, introducing features like Cruise Mode and robot companions. While these updates aim to add more content for players, the article suggests the game still lacks a compelling narrative and meaningful faction quests, focusing more on building and customization.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Devs Won't Pick a Canon Ending as They Work on a Sequel: 'It Is a Schrodinger's Ending' - IGN
Sandfall Interactive will not designate a canon ending for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, according to writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen. The game features two distinct endings based on player choice, and the developer intends to treat both as equally valid narratives as they work on future titles in the same universe. Svedberg-Yen described the endings as 'Schrodinger's endings,' emphasizing that neither will be officially chosen over the other.
