Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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The Sunday Papers
This article uses the metaphor of a British Touring Car Championship race to discuss various gaming-related opinions. It touches on the Yakuza series potentially jumping the shark, the community interest in the Marathon soundtrack, an AI agent publishing a critical piece about a software maintainer, and the controversial move of the MotoGP race from Phillip Island. The author uses these diverse topics to illustrate broader points about game narratives, community engagement, AI ethics, and motorsport decisions.
Balatro creator reflects on university and bad grades, promising he's "still working" on that 1.1 update
Balatro developer LocalThunk has provided an update on the upcoming 1.1 patch, confirming he is still working on it. He also reflected on his past, including dropping out of an engineering degree to pursue computer science and his early, unreleased game development projects, which shaped his hobbyist approach to game creation.
Taming the pure and scattered beauty of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild
This article explores the open-world design of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, contrasting their mechanics with previous Zelda titles. The author discusses how the games' vastness, freedom, and melancholic atmosphere create a unique experience that defies easy categorization, suggesting that the games themselves have become the adventure rather than a singular quest.
"Climate change isn’t about AI itself, it's about progress" - 11 Bit talk Frostpunk: 1886 and questions of scale
11 bit studios game director Maciej Sułecki discusses Frostpunk: 1886, a remake plus plus of the original Frostpunk, and the studio's approach to scale and player empathy across their games. He also touches on the use of AI in development and the broader implications of progress and climate change, drawing parallels to the themes explored in the Frostpunk series.
Who needs a publisher, anyway? "I mean, who does physical any more?"
Composer Filippo Beck Peccoz has transitioned to game development, founding Cobalt Lane to create the psychological thriller Imprinted. He discusses his journey from composing for studios like Mimimi Games to directing his own project, emphasizing the rise of self-publishing and the unique perspective his audio background brings to game design. Beck Peccoz secured funding from the state of Bavaria and has opted for self-publishing, working with a marketing agency rather than a traditional publisher.
Final Fantasy: “Dissidia” or Harmony?
This article draws a parallel between the diverse character roles in the Final Fantasy series, such as Dissidia, and the concept of unity within the Christian body. It emphasizes how individual unique gifts and callings contribute to a collective mission, much like party members in an RPG working together for victory.
30 Hours Into Dragon Quest VII Reimagined – Early Impressions: Is It Too Slow? — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
After 30 hours with Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, the game's slow pacing and late introduction of the class-changing system are highlighted as potential hurdles for players. While the narrative and characters are engaging, the core gameplay mechanics don't fully open up until much later. Despite these pacing concerns, the remake respects the original game's design and features quality-of-life improvements like combat speed-up.
Most Popular Game Genres in 2026
In 2026, game genres are more important than individual titles as players gravitate towards styles that fit their play habits. Action, Shooter, and RPGs lead on PC and consoles due to immediate engagement, skill progression, and meaningful choices, respectively. Mobile gaming sees dominance from Puzzle and Casual genres, while Battle Royale, Simulation, and others maintain popularity through replayability, low-pressure gameplay, and flexibility.
Interview: Creating Beat 'Em Up Sequel Super Alloy Crush
Mabi Mogu, one half of the two-person indie studio Alloy Mushroom, discusses the development of their upcoming 2D sci-fi beat 'em up, Super Alloy Crush. The game builds upon lessons learned from Super Alloy Ranger, focusing on fast-paced hack-and-slash combat with combo chaining and roguelike elements for replayability. Inspirations include Devil May Cry and Dungeon Fighter Online, with a strong emphasis on enemy reactions and balancing distinct character playstyles.
Project Gorgon Skills Guide - All Skills & How to Improve
This guide for the MMORPG Project Gorgon details all available skills and methods for improving them, drawing parallels to Skyrim's progression system. It covers a wide array of skills, from Alchemy and Archery to more unique ones like Corpse Talking and Weather Witching, providing information on how each skill is trained.
Madden NFL 26 Review: My First Impression
Madden NFL 26 on PlayStation 5 offers a surprisingly deep and strategic sports simulation experience, despite a rocky initial launch. The game features grounded gameplay mechanics, improved AI, and a more rewarding Ultimate Team mode. Visually, it presents a broadcast-level upgrade with enhanced player models and dynamic stadium lighting, making it a solid, albeit initially cluttered, football sim.
Flirting With the Homies
This guide explores the elements of creating satisfying romance arcs in roleplaying games, emphasizing consent and safety mechanics. It outlines a D.R.E.A.M. template (Denial, Resistance, Exploration, Acceptance, Materialization) for structuring romantic storylines and suggests ways for Game Masters to externalize internal character conflicts.
Clair Obscur wins Game of the Year at DICE Awards 2026
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive won Game of the Year at the 29th annual DICE Awards, alongside four other accolades including Role-Playing Game of the Year. Ghost of Yōtei received four awards, including Adventure Game of the Year. The event also saw Evan Wells inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.
Rogue Point aims to prove old school is the new cool with a back-to-basics shooter
Crowbar Collective has launched its co-operative PvE shooter Rogue Point into Early Access, aiming to recapture a 'back-to-basics' feel in contrast to modern, complex titles. The game emphasizes short, replayable sessions and a fair monetization model, with developers Brad Sheremeta and Adam Engels highlighting its retro aesthetic and efficient design, learned from their experience developing Black Mesa.
How to Find Any Minecraft Biome Easily
This guide explains how biome finders work in Minecraft, detailing their usefulness for beginners in locating specific biomes quickly. It covers in-game commands, online tools, and seed-based methods, emphasizing how these tools reduce frustration and enhance the exploration experience.
Mario Tennis Fever Review | Giant Bomb
Jeff Grubb's review of Mario Tennis Fever for the Nintendo Switch 2 gives the game 3 out of 5 stars, noting that while the core tennis mechanics are solid, the surrounding content feels lazy and uninspired, especially at a $70 price point. The adventure mode is criticized for its stilted presentation and lack of engaging content, though the online multiplayer and racket mechanics add some fun.
29 Best Horror Games To Play In The Dark In 2026
This guide highlights 29 of the best horror games available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, suitable for playing in the dark. The list includes a variety of experiences, from solo adventures and co-op scares to big-budget sequels and indie hits, with updates provided throughout the year.
Why Cosmetic Customization Plays a Bigger Role in CS2 Than Ever Before - Unigamesity
This guide details the various traits available in The Sims 4, explaining how they influence a Sim's personality, emotions, interactions, and daily life. Traits are categorized into emotional, hobby, lifestyle, and social types, each offering unique gameplay effects and shaping the Sim's experiences and potential storylines.
The Quest for Knowledge in The Witness
This analysis explores how The Witness integrates game design with epistemological questions about knowledge, logic, and perception. It examines how the game's puzzles, environmental interpretation, and metafictional elements encourage players to reflect on their own ways of knowing, contrasting formal rule-based knowledge with interpretative and self-aware understanding.
Short Rounds, High Retention: Inside the Chicken Crash Boom
Chicken-themed crash games have become a significant revenue stream in online casinos, particularly on mobile platforms, due to their short round durations, interactive nature, and high retention rates. These games are engineered for mobile-first audiences, featuring simple mechanics, vertical layouts, and microbet compatibility, making them a core pillar of modern iGaming.
