Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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World of Warcraft update lifts flying restrictions on mounts in Midnight, even if Blizzard acknowledges "the ability to fly trivializes a challenge" for some
Blizzard Entertainment has removed the Pathfinder achievement requirement for Steady Flight in World of Warcraft's Midnight and The War Within zones. The developer acknowledged that while flying can trivialize challenges, players enjoy the efficiency and perspective it offers. Future expansions will continue to balance flight capabilities with the player experience.
Preview: I Think Pragmata Could Be PS5's Best Shooter Yet - Push Square
The upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive Pragmata shows promise as a strong shooter title, with tight controls and nimble gameplay that feels snappier than Resident Evil Village. Despite a somewhat unoriginal plot premise and reliance on shooting weak points, the game's unique gimmicks and personality could make it stand out.
No Rest For The Wicked Could Become A Long-Term RPG Platform, Says Moon Studios CEO
Moon Studios CEO suggests that No Rest For The Wicked could evolve into a long-term RPG platform, focusing on upgrades and building mechanics. The article expresses a desire for more faction integration and a stronger narrative beyond simple fetch quests.
Starfield Update Preview – Coming To PS5 Alongside Huge Additions | The Outerhaven
A preview of an upcoming Starfield update suggests new content is coming to PlayStation 5, alongside significant additions. While the update focuses on upgrades, building, and visuals, the article expresses a desire for more engaging faction content and a stronger narrative beyond simple fetch quests.
EXODUS Gameplay Clips Showcase Combat, Traversal, and Exploration
Wizards of the Coast and Archetype Entertainment have released new gameplay clips for their upcoming science fiction RPG, EXODUS, showcasing combat, traversal using a railclaw, and exploration on various planets. The game is set 40,000 years in the future and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with more footage planned for early summer.
Starfield Dev Pushes Back on 2.0 Narrative, Says Free Lanes Is Huge and the Best Version of the Game
The article discusses player reception to Starfield's narrative and development focus, with the author expressing a desire for more engaging faction quests. While acknowledging new content additions, the piece suggests the game's current direction prioritizes building and customization over a compelling storyline.
Why Old Rockstar Games Hit Different Than Today’s Releases
This article discusses the perceived shift in Rockstar Games' creative output, contrasting the experimental and atmospheric approach of older titles like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and San Andreas with the technically polished but potentially less daring recent releases such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V. It attributes this change to broader industry trends of increased development budgets, risk aversion, and shareholder expectations, suggesting that while modern Rockstar games are commercial successes, they may lack the raw creative energy of their predecessors.
Stars Reach devs discuss the design of newly released planet Crucible and future patch plans
Developers at Playable Worlds discussed the recently released Crucible update for Stars Reach, highlighting its focus on combat-centric gameplay and resource gathering. They also detailed plans for future patches, including performance improvements, UI updates, and the addition of a new pistol weapon.
Where Winds Meet Developers Chose Exploration Over Tutorials Ahead of Liangzhou Expansion
Where Winds Meet developers Everstone Studio and NetEase intentionally designed the game around player discovery rather than traditional tutorials. The open-world wuxia action RPG, available on PlayStation 5 and PC, encourages players to learn mechanics through exploration and interaction with the game world. The upcoming "Liangzhou" expansion, the second part of the Hexi expansion, is set to release on April 2, 2026, introducing new regions and content.
Resident Evil Requiem lead will end shipping wars "someday," but you're free to "imagine the peaceful moments" Leon Kennedy spends as a husband until then
Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed that Leon Kennedy is married, but the identity of his spouse will be revealed at a later date. Nakanishi stated that the final scene aims to convey that Leon now has a 'place to go home to,' leaving the interpretation of his wedding ring's meaning to the player. The article speculates on potential partners and expresses a desire for more domestic narratives involving the character.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Habitat Restoration Guide
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a compelling action RPG that excels in its core gameplay loops, despite issues with pacing, menus, and tutorials. The game encourages players to continue hatching eggs, refining builds, and exploring its world.
All Minecraft mobs, from passive pigs to hostile piglin brutes
This guide details all mobs found in Minecraft, categorizing them into passive, neutral, and hostile types, with over 180 creatures listed. It also highlights special mob variants obtainable through nametags, such as the rainbow sheep 'jeb_' and the fan-inspired 'Toast' bunny. Future mob updates will be announced at Minecraft Live.
Crimson Desert Review - Highest Fantasy
Crimson Desert offers a spectacular open world and thrilling combat, but is held back by narrative and quality-of-life issues. Developer Pearl Abyss has created an ambitious game with a vast, technologically impressive world and deep combat system, though quest design and inventory management can be frustrating. Despite its flaws, the game's unique blend of high fantasy, steampunk, and sci-fi elements makes it an impressive and engaging experience.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Best Monsties Tier List
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection offers an engaging experience despite pacing issues, clunky menus, and uneven tutorials. The game successfully encourages players to continue hatching eggs, refining builds, and exploring its world, making it a compelling adventure.
SHADOW TACTICS: BLADES OF THE SHOGUN IS OUT NOW ON NINTENDO SWITCH 2
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun and its standalone add-on Aiko's Choice are now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Developed by Mimimi Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment, the stealth strategy classic features optimized performance, HD gameplay, and mouse-mode support for the new console. This release marks the series' debut on a Nintendo platform.
Marathon has added challenges for its upcoming Cryo Archive map, with a brilliant nod to the original series
The upcoming Marathon: Cryo Archive map will feature new challenges, including a callback to the original series with the 'Dedication Syndrome' title. Players can also discover hidden lore entries and references to the number seven, a recurring motif in the Marathon franchise. These challenges are expected to be difficult and will unlock alongside the game's ranked mode.
Never’s End Preview: Holy Cow Does This FF Tactics-Like RPG Make a Huge First Impression - IGN
Never's End is a highly anticipated tactical RPG from developer Hypersect, featuring a unique 2D-meets-3D art style and an expansive open world. The game innovates on the genre by integrating combat and exploration seamlessly, with dynamic environmental systems that react to player magic and a stamina-and-time action system. A demo is available on Steam, with a full release planned for later this year.
As a Pathfinder 2e sicko, I'm excited for Starfinder: Afterlight after playing an hour of its playtest—but Epictellers has a lot of work to do before demo time this summer
Starfinder: Afterlight aims to bring the Pathfinder 2e experience to video games, utilizing the Starfinder 2e ruleset. While the combat mechanics are promising and the visual presentation, including voice talent like Neil Newbon and Roger Clark, is strong, the game is currently in a very unfinished state. Epictellers Entertainment needs to implement missing actions, improve the user interface for conveying information, and add a robust tutorial before its public demo this summer.
Capitalism Is Dead In Pokemon Pokopia, And We Know Tom Nook Isn't Happy About It
Pokemon Pokopia offers a stark contrast to the Animal Crossing series by eschewing capitalism in its gameplay loop. While Animal Crossing relies on debt collection and market manipulation through characters like Tom Nook, Pokopia emphasizes mutual benefit and community progression with limited currency. This analysis explores how Pokopia's design choices create a utopian society free from financial incentives, unlike the capitalist systems present in Animal Crossing.
Kadokawa Announces Hideki Kamiya Career Book Releasing April 2, 2026 in Japan
Kadokawa has announced a new 176-page book titled "The World of Hideki Kamiya: The Complete Work of Game Design That Creates ‘Pleasure,’" set to release in Japan on April 2, 2026. The book will explore game director Hideki Kamiya's career, including his work on Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry, Ōkami, and Bayonetta, and his recent transition to founding his new studio, CLOVERS.