Game Design
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As PS6 Delay Rumours Swirl, Fans Debate Ray Tracing's Worth
A debate has emerged online regarding the necessity and impact of ray tracing in video games, with some users arguing it negatively affects performance without adding significant value to gameplay or story. Others counter that ray tracing enhances visual fidelity and immersion, contributing to the overall experience of modern video games, especially with upcoming hardware like the PlayStation 6 potentially offering improved capabilities.
Dragon Age Lead Says Including World State Reactivity Felt Like It Was "Irrelevant Or Not Enough"
A Dragon Age lead developer expressed that incorporating world state reactivity into games felt insufficient or irrelevant. This sentiment follows the precedent set by Dragon Age 2, which carried player choices over between installments, raising questions about the value of such features.
Dragon Age Lead Says Including World State Reactivity Felt Like It Was ″Irrelevant Or Not Enough″
Tim Willits, chief creative officer at Saber Interactive, discussed the challenges of incorporating world state reactivity in Dragon Age, feeling it was ultimately insufficient. He also teased a highly desirable intellectual property he has previously declined to work on twice.
Resident Evil Requiem is too scary for series veteran Hideki Kamiya, who argues Capcom "should make a 'non-scary' mode" because "look, I just want to enjoy the puzzles"
Veteran developer Hideki Kamiya, who directed Resident Evil 2, finds the new Resident Evil Requiem too scary and advocates for a 'non-scary' mode to focus on puzzles and combat. Despite his own contributions to the horror genre, Kamiya prefers to enjoy the gameplay elements without the intense frights.
The wait for the first proper Nintendo Direct of 2026 continues as the next big Switch 2 exclusive, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, gets a May release date out of nowhere
Nintendo has announced that Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, a new exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2, will be released on May 21st. The game features Yoshi traveling into a mysterious book and interacting with various creatures, including a bubble-blowing creature that players can name. The announcement was made via social media and Nintendo's news app, rather than a traditional Nintendo Direct.
How many acts are there in Slay the Spire 2?
This article discusses the number of acts present in Slay the Spire 2 and whether additional acts are planned for future updates. It aims to clarify the current structure of the game.
This four-year-old game still hooks me every time I pick it up, and it’s somehow better than I remember
The author discusses their continued enjoyment of Dave the Diver, a four-year-old game that remains engaging through its unique art style and satisfying gameplay loop. They highlight personal challenges and the game's regular updates, including a notable collaboration with Balatro, as reasons for its enduring appeal.
Sequel to Hit PS5 Action RPG Gets Disappointing Reviews
GreedFall 2: The Dying World, a prequel to the 2019 action RPG GreedFall, has launched on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC to disappointing reviews. Critics have cited issues with story choices, combat, bugs, and overall execution, with scores averaging around 67 on OpenCritic.
EVE Online details changes planned for faction standing and friendly fire abuse coming this summer
CCP Games is implementing changes in EVE Online's summer expansion to address player abuse of faction standing and friendly fire, a tactic known as 'awoxing'. New rules will affect corp and character eligibility for factional warfare, and penalties for attacking friendly militia members will be doubled. Individual faction standing mechanics are also being adjusted, including changes to agent missions and promotions.
RPG legend advises new devs to be like Hideo Kojima and create their own style – or if all else fails, "have…
Veteran game designer Don Daglow, known for early RPGs like Dungeon and MMOs like Neverwinter Nights, advises new developers to cultivate a unique personal style, comparing it to recognizable artists like Lady Gaga. He also emphasized the lasting impact games have on players' lives, encouraging developers to create meaningful experiences.
Invincible Vs open beta runs April 9 to 11, Training Mode details revealed
Invincible Vs, a 3-on-3 tag-team fighting game based on Robert Kirkman's comic series, will launch on PlayStation 5 on April 30. An open beta featuring 10 characters and online ranked play will run from April 9 to 12. The game aims to be approachable for newcomers with features like auto-combos while retaining depth for fighting game fans.
Invincible Vs open beta runs April 9 to 12, Training Mode details revealed
Invincible Vs, a 3-on-3 tag-team fighting game based on Robert Kirkman's comic series, will launch on PlayStation 5 on April 30. An open beta featuring 10 characters and online ranked play will run from April 9 to 12. The game aims to be approachable for newcomers with features like auto-combos while maintaining depth for fighting game enthusiasts.
Ghost of Yotei devs tried to add Zelda: Breath of the Wild-style rock climbing, but discovered "rock climbing is not a core aspect of being a wandering ronin"
Developers for Ghost of Tsushima explored adding a climbing mechanic similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but ultimately removed it. Directors Nate Fox and Jason Connell stated the feature did not align with the game's ronin fantasy and was cut to maintain focus on core gameplay pillars.
The future of RPGs is isometric
The isometric role-playing game genre is experiencing a significant resurgence, driven by the success of titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Disco Elysium. This trend sees developers embracing the classic top-down perspective, bridging the gap between modern AAA RPGs and older, more hardcore cRPGs, with new projects emerging across indie, AA, and even AAA studios.
Battlefield 6 Studio Design Director Talks Night Maps and the Need to Work With Fans as Season 2: Nightfall Looms - IGN
Ripple Effect studio design director Justin Wiebe discusses Battlefield 6's upcoming Season 2: Nightfall update, focusing on the new Hagental Base map designed for close-quarters combat in a nighttime environment. The update introduces new gameplay mechanics like night vision goggles and tactical flashlight usage, and Wiebe emphasizes the studio's commitment to incorporating player feedback through initiatives like Battlefield Labs to shape future content.
GreedFall: The Dying World Review | TheXboxHub
GreedFall: The Dying World is a prequel action RPG that offers an ambitious but uneven experience. While it features a compelling personal narrative exploring themes of racism and cultural clashes, its real-time strategy combat system is divisive. The game presents solid visuals and audio, but suffers from performance issues and environments that become repetitive.
"Mobile is the biggest medium" - As Ubisoft struggles, Rainbow Six Mobile has launched to massive numbers. Can it help the troubled publisher turn the tide?
Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Mobile has launched amidst struggles for the publisher, aiming to capitalize on the growing mobile gaming market. Game director Olivier Albarracin discusses the challenges of adapting the tactical shooter for mobile, including shorter sessions and streamlined controls, while aiming for over 10 million downloads. The game's success is seen as crucial for Ubisoft's global brand strategy, especially after recent layoffs and game delays.
Resident Evil Requiem director confirms 'extra story content' is in the works: 'It will take some time so…
Koshi Nakanishi, director of Resident Evil Requiem, has announced that additional story content is in development for the game. Following a recent update that addressed bugs and performance issues, the team is now preparing to add more to the game, including a photo mode and a minigame planned for May. Further details on the extra story content, which will delve deeper into the game's world, will be shared later.
Deadlock's latest update brings some huge movement buffs like jumping mid slide and 30% increased air control—it's a lot cooler than it sounds
Deadlock's latest update introduces significant movement buffs, including the ability to jump mid-slide and increased air control after a dash jump. While these changes make characters like Rem more mobile and harder to catch, the patch also includes some nerfs to Rem's abilities, such as reduced healing frequency and decreased movement speed for his Naptime ability.
Forza Horizon 6’s Open World Supports Time Attacks, Drag Races, and…Vibe Driving – IGN First - IGN
Forza Horizon 6 will feature a more structured campaign and introduce new open-world activities like time attacks and drag races, designed to reward players for simply driving around. The game aims to cater to various playstyles, from competitive racing to casual exploration, with features like "vibe driving" and a new link skill system that encourages cooperative play.
