Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe is “Unique, Darker, and Narrative-Driven,” Says New Creative Director
Jean Guesdon, now creative director for Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe at Ubisoft Montreal, described the upcoming title as a "unique, darker, narrative-driven" experience. While details remain scarce, it is confirmed not to be a traditional role-playing game and may feature significantly different combat mechanics. The game is expected to launch around Holiday 2027.
Hunt: Showdown keeps experimenting with the extraction genre, and its next twist sounds irresistible: Soon, extraction…
Hunt: Showdown is experimenting with its extraction shooter formula in the upcoming Devil's Trail event, starting March 18. This event will hide supply and extraction points at the start of a match, requiring players to discover them through in-game maps or by interacting with new Scout Towers. Additionally, the event introduces "The World Remembers" feature, which expands passive tracking by leaving more permanent traces of player actions in the game world.
Review – Resident Evil: Requiem (PlayStation 5)
Resident Evil: Requiem is a masterfully crafted survival horror experience that celebrates the franchise's 30th anniversary. The game features dual protagonists Leon S. Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft, a compelling narrative connecting past lore, and a blend of classic survival horror gameplay with stylish action. While performance on the base PlayStation 5 can dip, the overall presentation and gameplay make it a must-play for fans.
Xbox och Xbox 360 – de gyllene generationerna
This article analyzes the impact and legacy of Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles. It details their development, key games like Halo and Gears of War, the success of Xbox Live, and their influence on the console gaming landscape, highlighting how they challenged established players like Sony and Nintendo.
Marathons framtid: gratis säsonger, "väsentliga skillnader"
Bungie has outlined the future of its upcoming game Marathon, detailing a seasonal content model that will offer new gameplay, zones, events, and equipment for free every three months. Each season will reset player levels and gear, but achievements and cosmetics will be retained. The first season, 'Death is the First Step,' begins at launch and will run until June, with the second season starting in July.
Tavers: The Meow Wolf RPG Expands Minds On Kickstarter
Tavers: The Meow Wolf RPG, an experimental tabletop role-playing game developed in collaboration with the immersive art company Meow Wolf, has successfully launched its Kickstarter campaign, surpassing its initial funding goal. The game features a light rules system focused on open storytelling and worldbuilding, with pledge tiers ranging from $25 for a digital copy to $195 for a comprehensive collector's set.
Perfect Ten: Why MMORPGs have ruined me for other video games
This opinion piece argues that MMORPGs have significantly impacted the author's gaming habits, making it difficult to enjoy other genres. The author highlights how MMORPGs offer persistent progression, character attachment, a wide variety of activities, continuous updates, and crucial social interaction, making them a preferred 'comfort food' for gaming.
Former Blizzard CCO and Bonfire CEO Rob Pardo to present keynote address at GDC Festival of Gaming
Rob Pardo, former Chief Creative Officer at Blizzard Entertainment and current manager at Bonfire Studios, will deliver a keynote address titled "An Odyssey in Building Games That Last" at the GDC Festival of Gaming. The presentation will cover his decades of experience in the industry, including his work on StarCraft, World of Warcraft, and Diablo, and his approach to game development at Bonfire Studios.
Influential Game Designer Rob Pardo Hosting GDC Festival of Gaming March 12
Influential game designer Rob Pardo will deliver a keynote titled “An Odyssey in Building Games That Last” at the GDC Festival of Gaming on March 12. Pardo, known for his work on StarCraft, World of Warcraft, and Diablo, will reflect on his career and discuss his current project, Arkheron, with Bonfire Studios. The GDC Festival of Gaming runs from March 9-13 in San Francisco.
Drakkar Dreams and Digital Pasts: Assassin's Creed Valhalla as a Cultural Artifact
This analysis explores Assassin's Creed Valhalla's use of side encounters to add cultural and philosophical texture beyond its main quest. It examines the game's balance between historical accuracy and creative freedom, its evolution from stealth to action-RPG mechanics, and the thematic resonance of its gameplay loop. The article concludes that Valhalla, despite its deviations, retains the franchise's core ethos of historical embeddedness.
GreedFall: The Dying World Q&A - ″The Public Wouldn't Have Accepted the First Game's Combat″
This Q&A discusses the combat in GreedFall: The Dying World, with developers suggesting the public might not have accepted the first game's combat mechanics. The conversation also touches on the desire for a Bloodborne remake and potential performance improvements on current hardware.
The devs on Deus Ex: Invisible War knew its most-hated part was a 'terrible idea,' and they give the director…
Developer Harvey Smith discusses the universally disliked universal ammo system in Deus Ex: Invisible War, admitting it was a 'terrible idea' that stemmed from a flawed attempt to incorporate nanotechnology. Despite this and other criticisms, Smith defends the game's core immersive sim elements and expresses his ability to now discuss the title openly.
Rune Dice Preview – Smart Dice Merging Meets Snappy Roguelite Runs
Rune Dice is a roguelite game where players roll dice with runes to perform skills and attacks, with merging dice being a key mechanic. The preview showcases three classes and one area, highlighting the game's snappy runs and a focus on player progression even after failure. Developed by Smart Raven Studio, Rune Dice is set to release on Steam in Q2 2026.
Talking Point: After 30 Years, Is It Time To Reset The Pokédex?
This opinion piece discusses whether it's time for the Pokémon franchise to reset its Pokédex after 30 years, suggesting that the reliance on familiar Pokémon may be hindering the sense of adventure and experimentation. The author explores the pros and cons of introducing entirely new creatures versus retaining established favorites, referencing recent games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Mouse: P.I. for Hire – The Final Preview - IGN
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a first-person shooter that combines a unique 1930s rubberhose animation style with mechanically sound gameplay. Developed by Fumi Games, the title features a detective narrative, a hub world for upgrades and interactions, and a variety of creative weapons. The game is set to release on April 16 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Blue Prince's somber tone was inspired by Myst, says creator
Creator Tonda Ros of Dogubomb's acclaimed puzzle game Blue Prince revealed that the game's somber tone was inspired by the classic adventure game Myst. Ros discussed how the environmental storytelling and melancholic atmosphere of Myst influenced Blue Prince's narrative delivery through notes, letters, and an unsettling score.
The Warhammer racer Speed Freeks is coming to PS5
The Warhammer 40,000 combat racer Speed Freeks is coming to PlayStation 5. Developed by Caged Element Inc, the game features chaotic races, in-depth customization, and a real-time creation mode. The developers discussed the game's design, its unique modes like Kill Konvoy, and the challenges and rewards of working with the Warhammer IP.
Bungie Addresses Marathon Difficulty Curve, Tells Players That Over Time, Recovering From a Bad Loss Will Get Easier - IGN
Bungie has addressed player concerns regarding the difficulty curve in their extraction shooter, Marathon. The developer explained that while the game is designed to be challenging, progression systems and seasonal resets are intended to make recovery from setbacks easier over time. Players are encouraged to focus on long-term progression and building their character's power floor rather than just immediate loot.
Overwatch's grand revamp event is a suffocating blip in an otherwise successful return to form
The author expresses renewed enjoyment for Overwatch following its recent revamp, but criticizes the "Conquest" event for its overly demanding and restrictive structure. Despite the event's flaws and a progression bug, the author anticipates its eventual end and hopes for better-designed future events from Blizzard.
Planet of Lana 2 review – A beautiful tale about preservation
Planet of Lana 2 continues Lana and Mui's adventure with a story focused on humanity's destructive tendencies against nature and the importance of conservation. The game features stunning visuals, a beautiful orchestral score, and engaging puzzle-platforming gameplay that expands on the original. While the narrative is told without dialogue, relying on emotive body language and music, the sequel's controls can sometimes be finicky, and the ending sets up a potential third installment.