Game Design
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'Sims don't plan anything' says former Sims 4 developer, though he always wanted to program them to:…
Former The Sims 4 lead AI programmer David Graham discussed the design limitations of sim autonomy, explaining that sims are programmed to constantly reassess their immediate needs rather than plan ahead. While Graham wished for more planning capabilities, he acknowledges the challenges in implementing and communicating such AI to players without breaking immersion or removing the player's role in storytelling.
"You're swimming against the tide making games like this": Why more developers didn't copy Firewatch's reactive storytelling
Chris Remo of Campo Santo discusses why Firewatch's reactive storytelling model, which focused on player choices influencing dialogue and world reactions rather than traditional gameplay, did not inspire many imitators. He attributes this to the inherent difficulty in implementing such systems in games, the high cost of creating convincing character interactions, and the medium's natural inclination towards more interactive genres like those found in Minecraft and Roblox.
It's time for Game Freak to finally give Pokémon some proper voice acting
This opinion piece argues that Game Freak should implement proper voice acting for Pokémon in their games, moving beyond the limited, pitch-shifted cries inherited from the Game Boy era. The author suggests that full voice acting would enhance character identification, align with other Pokémon media like the anime, and provide a more engaging experience for younger players, despite potential cost and localization challenges.
How EA Sports FC 26 Avoided Being A "Cautionary Tale" And Made Accessibility History
EA Sports FC 26 has been recognized for its significant advancements in game accessibility, earning multiple awards and nominations. The development team, including gameplay producer Paul Parsons and accessibility director Morgan Baker, collaborated closely with the disabled community and drew inspiration from other EA titles to implement features like High Contrast Mode and Text-to-Speech, aiming to set a new industry standard for inclusive game design.
World of Warcraft: Midnight Review | NoobFeed
The World of Warcraft: Midnight update successfully balances ambition, comfort, and nostalgia for modern MMO players. This update is considered more solid than many previous ones due to its smart product design.
AI is the villain in Pragmata, but director Cho Yonghee wants to stress that his evil AI is slightly different to our real-life evil AI thanks to 'the presence of an AI character like Diana'
Capcom's upcoming game Pragmata features an AI named IDUS as its antagonist, which has taken over a moonbase. Director Cho Yonghee explains that the AI's villainy is distinct from real-world AI concerns due to the presence of a helpful AI character named Diana. The game explores themes of AI for both good and bad purposes, with Diana learning to cooperate with the human protagonist, Hugh.
The Daily Grind: Does it frustrate you to have to relearn your MMO again?
This opinion piece discusses player frustration with the constant need to relearn MMORPG systems and mechanics due to game updates and expansions. It questions whether players prefer familiarity or embrace the continuous changes inherent in the genre.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando review - adequate cooperative action, but it's no Left 4 Dead
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando offers adequate cooperative zombie blasting action, but ultimately falls short of the standard set by Left 4 Dead due to flabby mission design and unnecessary meta-progression. While it provides disposable fun at a reasonable price, its levels are too samey and lack the memorable design that makes other cooperative shooters replayable.
Marathon’s Time To Kill Is Unforgiving, Unfair, and Utterly Brilliant - IGN
This article discusses Marathon's seemingly fast time to kill (TTK), initially perceived as a flaw, but ultimately praised as a brilliant design choice for tactical extraction shooter gameplay. The TTK is heavily influenced by the shield system, where stronger shields provide a significant advantage and reward players for bringing better gear into matches.
Finding the Success Recipe for the Games Launching in 2026
This analysis discusses key elements for game success in 2026, emphasizing targeting specific audiences over universal appeal and avoiding excessive monetization. It highlights the importance of innovative yet familiar mechanics, unique visuals, careful music selection, and learning from both successful indie titles and established games like Baldur's Gate and Stardew Valley. The article also predicts increased AI involvement, personalization, genre mashups, and a greater need for social media discovery.
"The answer will become clear some day" - We asked the Resident Evil Requiem director who Leon is married to, but Capcom is still playing coy
Resident Evil 4 director Koshi Nakanishi addressed speculation about Leon Kennedy's marital status, stating that while the answer will be revealed later, the ring signifies Leon having a 'place to go home to.' The game has achieved over 6 million sales and a new story expansion is in development.
Marathon prepares ranked mode with its latest patch, a pricey loot-a-thon with a catch
Bungie has released a new patch for its extraction shooter Marathon, introducing a ranked mode that will be available this weekend. Players must meet specific loadout value requirements to enter and progress through tiers by extracting with a target amount of loot value. Rewards for ranking up include unique cosmetics, with some unlocked immediately and others at the end of a season.
Seven Deadly Sins Mobile Game Launches with 18 New Heroes and Epic World Expansion
The mobile game adaptation of The Seven Deadly Sins has officially launched, featuring an expansion with five new story areas and the introduction of eighteen new heroes. The game boasts an overhauled RPG combat system, a weapon crafting system replacing gacha mechanics, and a 'Shared Mastery' system designed to keep older characters relevant. This launch positions the game as a substantial mobile experience with potential for ongoing content and expanded universe development.
Games Inbox: Is Starfield a good game?
Readers express disappointment with Starfield's gameplay and its impact on Bethesda's development timeline, questioning its upcoming PlayStation 5 release. Concerns are also raised about Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology and its perceived negative effect on game art and visual quality, with some readers hoping for a more traditional approach from future consoles and developers.
Crimson Desert – 30 Brilliant Details That Elevate The Entire Experience
Crimson Desert is highlighted for its intricate design and numerous detailed systems that go beyond surface-level interactions. The article details 30 examples of this attention to detail, including realistic animations for resource gathering and cooking, dynamic NPC routines, believable animal behaviors, and destructible environments that react realistically to combat and fire.
2,000 Hours Deep: CS Veteran’s Journey Hits Different
A Counter-Strike veteran shared their journey of over 2,000 hours played in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Counter-Strike 2, highlighting the dedication, skill mastery, and friendships formed over a decade. The player adapted to the transition to Counter-Strike 2, emphasizing the game's enduring appeal through its focus on pure skill, strategy, and teamwork rather than flashy mechanics.
Arc Raiders has a hidden "magic" system: you've never noticed it because you're not supposed to, but…
Embark Studios' Arc Raiders features a hidden 'magic' system that allows AI enemies to perform actions not possible through standard physics. This system, primarily using 'magic torque,' acts as a stop-gap to ensure AI can pursue and engage players effectively, even when encountering unexpected situations or physical limitations.
Manairons Review | TheXboxHub
Manairons is a visually inventive 3D platformer with charming characters and unique mechanics like musical puzzles, but its gameplay is hampered by dated combat, an uncooperative camera, and imprecise platforming. Despite its flaws, the game showcases the artistic talent of indie developer 3Cat, suggesting potential for future projects.
Moku Grand Arena Launches Major Update
Moku's Grand Arena has received a major update focused on gameplay, AI, and player/developer engagement. The update includes a redesign of 18 Scheme cards, enhanced AI using player data, and improved developer tools and rewards. New features like a Royalties Dashboard for Club Owners and upcoming Champion Star Ratings aim to boost community involvement and competition within the blockchain-based gaming platform.
Demon Tides Review
Demon Tides offers incredibly good movement mechanics, though it suffers from numerous rough edges. The game also features an in-game graffiti mechanic that players have used to create a surprising number of penis drawings.