Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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The Sunday Papers
This article discusses recent turmoil in games journalism, including job losses at Eurogamer and the use of generative AI by Videogamer to create fake writers. It also touches on broader societal issues, game design philosophies regarding exploration, and the importance of games criticism platforms like Critical Distance.
Fortnite's no-aim-required lock-on assault rifle is an all-time stinker, and I hope Epic vaults it into oblivion
This opinion piece argues that Fortnite's Lock On assault rifle is a poorly designed weapon that should be removed from the game. The author believes it is too weak for new players and frustrating for experienced ones, encouraging unfair playstyles and diminishing the thrill of skillful engagements.
Former Highguard level designer suggests "sweaty" competitive 3v3 play "was the biggest thing that turned a lot of players off"
A former level designer for Highguard suggests that the game's focus on intense 3v3 competitive play alienated many players. The game's complex rules and high skill requirement for team-based play created a steep barrier to entry. This comes amid reports that Tencent pulled funding from developer Wildlight shortly after the game's launch, leading to layoffs.
Ex Highguard dev pins its failure on being "the sweatiest version" of a team shooter
A former level designer for the multiplayer shooter Highguard attributes the game's failure to its overly competitive and complicated nature. The complexity reportedly prevented new players from engaging with the game.
Path of Exile's new Mirages "will certainly" boost ground loot, but GGG is "aware of the problem" in the long term
Grinding Gear Games' Mark Roberts and Octavian discussed how the new Mirages in Path of Exile will impact ground loot, acknowledging the ongoing debate and potential long-term issues. The developers aim to balance the loot system with upcoming changes.
Blizzard’s Toby Ragaini on Bringing Player Housing in World of Warcraft: Midnight
Toby Ragaini, design lead for player housing in World of Warcraft: Midnight, discusses the challenges and fun aspects of implementing this long-awaited feature. He highlights the importance of social components and community building within neighborhoods, noting the surprising breadth of player interest across all segments of the World of Warcraft audience.
Video games shouldn't try to win the 'attention war'
This article argues that video games should not compete in the 'attention war' against other digital markets like social media or online betting. Instead of focusing on exploitative retention techniques, the industry should prioritize creating engaging content. The author highlights how some companies use psychological tactics to keep users hooked, drawing parallels to addictive behaviors and warning against the potential harm to players and businesses.
Pokémon turns 30 but is Winds and Waves the evolution the series needs?
This article discusses the current state of the Pokémon video game franchise, questioning if recent titles like Pokémon Winds and Waves represent a necessary evolution. It highlights the series' immense popularity across various media while criticizing the stagnation and technical issues in its core games, contrasting them with the innovation seen in other Nintendo franchises like The Legend of Zelda. The piece also examines the business reasons why Game Freak and Nintendo may have little incentive to change their development and release cadence, despite fan complaints.
WordPlayer: Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse Understands That Reading Can Be Gameplay
Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse effectively uses reading as a core gameplay mechanic, pushing beyond typical visual novel progression. The game, set in 1980s Japan, involves unraveling a curse through multiple character perspectives and meticulously collected in-game files. This approach makes paying attention to narrative details crucial for solving puzzles and progressing, distinguishing it as a game where information itself is the primary objective.
Horripilant Spider Puzzle Guide - Spider Web Solution
This guide for the horror game Horripilant explains how to solve the tricky spider web puzzle. The solution involves using the in-game map to distract the spider, allowing players to clear the web and progress. Horripilant is a clicking-based horror game with positive reviews on Steam.
Resident Evil Requiem Ushers In A New Era Of Survival Horror
Resident Evil Requiem has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, marking a new direction for the survival horror genre. The game features a dual-protagonist structure with FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft focusing on atmospheric tension and exploration, while agent Leon S. Kennedy delivers action-packed sequences. Developed and published by CAPCOM, the title aims to blend psychological horror with blockbuster action, building upon the series' legacy.
Games Inbox: Is Resident Evil Requiem worth getting?
Readers discuss the merits of Resident Evil Requiem, with some hoping it recaptures the spirit of earlier titles like Resident Evil 4. Other topics include speculation about a new Pokémon announcement, Sony's strategy regarding PC exclusives, and the financial implications of Paramount's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. gaming assets.
Disgaea Mayhem Announced for Switch 2, PS5, and PC – Action RPG Launches Summer 2026
NIS America has announced Disgaea Mayhem for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC, launching in Summer 2026. This installment shifts the series from turn-based strategy to real-time action combat while retaining core progression systems like grinding and reincarnation. A limited collector's edition is also available for pre-order.
How Kiln’s Two-Week Prototype Became a Full-Fledged Journey
Double Fine's upcoming game Kiln, launching Spring 2026 for multiple platforms including Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, originated from a two-week prototype during an internal game jam. Project Lead Derek Brand explains how the team drew inspiration from real-life pottery classes to develop the game's unique clay-molding mechanics and competitive multiplayer gameplay.
Resident Evil: Requiem | Critical Consensus
Resident Evil: Requiem, the ninth mainline entry in the series, has received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its blend of classic survival horror elements and modern gameplay. The game features dual protagonists, Leon S. Kennedy and newcomer Grace Ashcroft, offering both intense action and tense exploration. While some reviewers noted a reliance on nostalgia and occasional tonal shifts, the overall consensus is that Capcom has delivered a polished and satisfying experience that celebrates the franchise's legacy.
Hades devs: accidentally inventing a subgenre was 'surreal'
Supergiant Games developers Greg Kasavin and Amir Rao discussed the surreal experience of Hades accidentally creating a new subgenre within the roguelike space. They explained that while making Hades, they were simply aiming to create a roguelike with strong narrative elements, inspired by games like Dead Cells and Slay the Spire, and were surprised by its widespread influence on subsequent titles.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3’s Ultimate Weapon May Have Been Revealed Early
A new design for the Ultimate Weapon, potentially for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, has been revealed in the mobile spin-off Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis. This redesign features a more organic and aggressive appearance compared to the original, aligning with the Remake trilogy's art direction and suggesting a significant boss encounter for the finale.
Assassin's Creed 3 director discusses the disastrous launch of Skull and Bones, says the 'junior' devs didn't have enough experience and were 'trying to essentially make Black Flag crossed with World of Tanks or World of Warships'
Alex Hutchinson, creative director of Assassin's Creed 3, believes the troubled development and launch of Skull and Bones stemmed from a junior development team lacking experience and the concept being too similar to previously released games. He described the idea as 'bizarre' and 'stale,' comparing the team's ambition to merging Black Flag with naval combat games like World of Tanks.
MIO Memories in Orbit Review – Quietly One of 2026’s Best Metroidvanias | Invision Game Community
MIO Memories in Orbit is a Metroidvania that excels through its quiet atmosphere, meaningful exploration, and satisfying movement mechanics. Developed by Douze Dixièmes and published by Focus Entertainment, the game launched in January 2026 for PC and consoles, offering a refined take on the genre with a strong art direction and understated narrative.
Spotlight on Starburst: The Neon Supernova That Redefined Online Slots
Starburst, released by NetEnt in 2012, is analyzed for its enduring popularity in the online slots market. Its success is attributed to its simple, accessible gameplay, iconic expanding wild feature, vibrant neon-gem aesthetic, and strong mobile performance, which have made it a benchmark for other slot games.
