Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Best Games to Play When You Only Have 30 Minutes
This article discusses how to find the best games for short play sessions, focusing on titles that can be enjoyed in 30-minute windows. It highlights genres like roguelites and certain multiplayer games, along with specific examples like Balatro, Rocket League, and Stardew Valley, emphasizing games with quick restarts, low re-entry costs, and constant saving.
Genshin Impact studio's new Pokemon-like, Honkai: Nexus Anima, has some of the best creature designs I've ever seen, but its battle format has me concerned
Honkai: Nexus Anima, the upcoming creature-collecting game from Genshin Impact developer HoYoverse, features some of the most impressive creature designs seen in the genre. However, the article expresses significant concern over its real-time autobattling combat system, which the author found to be too hands-off and lacking strategic depth, potentially detracting from the appeal of its otherwise excellent monster designs.
Alien: Isolation 2 artist says Creative Assembly has to 'recontextualize' things from the film that would 'be believable' in the game's outdoor setting, and it makes sense 'through the lens of someone from the 1970s'
Creative Assembly is developing Alien: Isolation 2 with a new outdoor colony setting, which requires recontextualizing elements from the original film and game to fit a 1970s-inspired retro-futuristic aesthetic. The team is focusing on adapting iconic designs to be believable in an outdoor environment, ensuring manufacturing techniques and materials align with the era.
I've been doing roleplay for 15+ years, and I don't think WoW: Forever needs a ruleset for it
The author argues that World of Warcraft: Classic's new 'Roleplaying' ruleset is an unnecessary and potentially detrimental addition. They contend that traditional roleplaying communities within WoW already manage in-character and out-of-character interactions effectively without strict rulesets, and that separating players into different rulesets for content like dungeons and raids will hinder social interaction.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation has more "on-screen guidance" to stop players feeling lost, but Square Enix is already "considering options" for those who hate hand-holding, lead says
Square Enix is considering options to allow players to customize guidance features in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, following feedback that some players prefer less hand-holding. Director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that the game will include more on-screen guidance than previous titles to help players navigate the open world, but acknowledges that not all players may want this level of assistance.
You ever notice how much more crouch walking you do in games than real life
This article discusses the prevalence of crouch-walking as a stealth mechanic in video games, contrasting it with its impracticality in real life. It notes how games like Metal Gear have incorporated or evolved their stealth systems, and highlights Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds 2 for acknowledging the awkwardness of in-game crouching.
This guy just sold me on his game with the health bar alone
Mattias Myde, the solo developer behind Mirklurk: Every Step Matters, is revolutionizing the traditional health bar by transforming it into a dynamic, tile-based system. This innovative approach to game design, showcased in a devlog, turns damage into patterns and enemy health into a map to be cleared.
World of Warcraft fans torn about whether Forever's Skyborne starting zone fits tonally with Classic WoW
Players are divided on whether the new Skyborne starting zone in World of Warcraft: Forever fits the tone of the original Classic WoW experience. Concerns have been raised that the introduction of elemental lords and raid-level threats before level 15 deviates from the grounded narrative approach promised by Blizzard.
Destiny 2 Rises From The Dead Following Latest Bungie Comment
Bungie announced plans to restore vaulted content in Destiny 2, allowing players to re-experience crucial story moments that were previously removed to reduce file sizes. This move aims to restore player trust and fulfill the game's original promise. Bungie also confirmed that development on its extraction shooter Marathon will continue with new content for both PvE and PvP modes.
Dune: Awakening släpps på konsol – nu även som single player
Dune: Awakening is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, fifteen months after its PC launch. The console versions include significant updates, most notably the addition of a full single-player mode with customizable difficulty. Players can also choose between performance and quality graphics modes on PlayStation 5.
Justin Wack står på giganters axlar
Justin Wack and the Big Time Hack is praised for its innovative approach to the adventure game genre, drawing inspiration from classics like Monkey Island 2 and Day of the Tentacle. The game successfully blends humor, engaging narratives, and clever puzzles, creating a modern experience that respects its predecessors.
Ace Combat 8 vs Ace Combat 7 – What’s Actually Different?
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve builds upon Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown by introducing significant changes, including a first-person perspective for storytelling, squadron command mechanics, and more reactive missions. The sequel also features overhauled cloud rendering using Unreal Engine 5, enhanced tactical impacts of weather, and expanded multiplayer modes with unique progression systems.
Love Nikki Player Shuts Down Fan Website Over Game's 'Irreverent' and 'Demonic' Clothing Designs
A fan of the mobile game Love Nikki – Dress Up Queen has shut down their fan website due to concerns that some of the game's clothing designs are 'demonic' and 'irreverent.' The decision has gained significant attention online.
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen interview: devs on Switch 2, Hard Mode, lack of new vocations, more
Capcom developers Kento Kinoshita and Yoshiaki Hirabayashi discuss Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, confirming its release on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 9, 2026. The expansion will include a new 15-20 hour campaign, a free Hard Mode update, and enhancements to existing vocations, though no new vocations will be added.
Why World of Warcraft: Forever isn't for Azeroth's heroes, but for everyone else
World of Warcraft: Forever is positioned as a distinct third pillar of the franchise, focusing on life and community in Azeroth rather than grand heroic narratives. Lead designers Tim Jones and Nora Mills explain that the game emphasizes grounded stories, approachable gameplay, and social experiences, differentiating it from both modern WoW and existing Classic versions. The new title aims to provide a slower-paced, more personal journey with features like camping and a new Skyborne race, with a closed beta planned for November.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Will Include Option to Let Players Automatically Level Up Their Characters, but Not Everyone Is Happy About It
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that the game will include an option for players to automatically level up their characters, aiming to allow players to focus on the story without needing to grind. However, this feature has sparked debate within the broader gaming community.
World of Warcraft: Forever players competing over enemies is 'extremely important' to the experience, Blizzard says: 'This is one of those things that we simply must hold the line on'
Blizzard Entertainment senior game designer Josh Greenfield stated that shared enemy tagging will remain a core feature in World of Warcraft: Hardcore, emphasizing its importance to the game's social pillar. While acknowledging potential frustration during peak player times, Greenfield believes this friction is essential for the player experience and can foster social interaction, though the article suggests Blizzard should prepare for potential issues during the launch week.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds review for Nintendo Switch 2
RuneScape: Dragonwilds offers a deep open-world action survival experience on the Nintendo Switch 2, blending traditional RuneScape elements with familiar survival mechanics. Despite a slow and difficult start, and some minor performance stutters in handheld mode, the game provides a magical and content-rich adventure with excellent music and crafting systems. The reviewer highly recommends it for its value and engaging gameplay.
Sonic Team boss: Sonic Frontiers “took a great step that will determine the future of Sonic”
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka reflected on Sonic Frontiers, calling it a pivotal test that will shape the future of the Sonic series. He believes the open-zone 3D gameplay established in the title is a significant step forward for the franchise.
We played Beyond the Dark: Nightwatch, here are our thoughts
The preview of Beyond the Dark: Nightwatch, an asymmetrical co-op horror game for the Nintendo Switch 2, highlights its unique gameplay mechanics inspired by ZombiU. Players manage inventory and security cameras on the portable screen while another player navigates the environment, creating a tense atmosphere. Atlantis Studio aims to revive couch co-op with this title, which is set to release in October.
