Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Check Out 46 Seconds Of New Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Gameplay (And A Pink Chocobo)
New gameplay footage for Final Fantasy 7: Revelation showcases significant verticality in its environments, including a massive chasm explored by Cloud. Game director Naoki Hamaguchi estimates the game will be around 200GB and anticipates a 100-hour playthrough, with two post-launch expansions planned.
Revisiting Ecstatica - the pioneering survival horror that used its fancy ellipsoid graphics tech to fill its world with dongs
This review revisits the pioneering 1994 survival horror game Ecstatica, highlighting its unique ellipsoid graphics technology and its blend of horror, slapstick, and surprisingly effective tonal balance. Despite some old-school jank, the remastered version offers an enjoyable experience of this cult classic, which is noted for its early use of 3D stalker mechanics.
World of Warcraft: Forever devs address racial ability drama by creating even more drama, fans say Blizzard's…
Blizzard Entertainment is updating racial abilities in the beta for World of Warcraft: Forever, prioritizing "racial identity" which may lead to some races being more effective in certain combat roles. This decision has sparked significant community backlash, with players on Reddit and forums accusing the developers of bias and favoritism towards the Alliance faction, while others argue it reflects historical faction strengths or that the changes are simply poorly implemented.
Ocarina of Time Remake: Why the Wait Is Unbearable — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
The article argues for a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, highlighting its groundbreaking innovations in 3D gaming and enduring themes. While acknowledging the Nintendo 3DS version, it suggests the original's age necessitates a modern update to address control issues, framerate, and potential cut content, while preserving its core charm for new and returning players.
World of Warcraft: Forever's last-minute patch transforms its bovines into racecars capable of zooming 60% faster…
Blizzard Entertainment has implemented a last-minute patch for World of Warcraft: Forever, significantly increasing the Tauren racial passive movement speed to 60%. This change, made shortly before launch, aims to rebalance racial abilities, with other races like Orcs and the new Skyborne also receiving adjustments to their unique traits.
Subnautica 2 talks up its next update’s visual storytelling and the endless threat of a bored tentacle monster
Subnautica 2's upcoming early access update will feature a massive collector leviathan and new areas for players to explore and hide within. The developers are focusing on visual storytelling to convey the narrative threads and the creature's obsessive nature.
A long-overdue conversation with Jordan Mechner
In a decade-long pursuit, Jordan Mechner finally sat down for an interview covering his autobiographical graphic novel, the potential for The Last Express, and the many iterations of Prince of Persia. Mechner discusses the evolution of the Prince of Persia series, his involvement with Ubisoft's titles, and the creative process behind The Last Express, including its unique narrative structure and potential for a remaster.
BioShock movie director confirms they're "still working on it" but says its world and story is a…
Director Francis Lawrence stated that the BioShock movie adaptation is still in development at Netflix, though it faces challenges due to the game's complex world and recent leadership changes at the streaming service. While progress is being made, the project's future remains uncertain amidst these hurdles.
"IT FLIPS UP," Fallout New Vegas modders yell after releasing a funky Pip-Boy based on cancelled entry Van Buren's design docs
Modders working on the Fallout: The New West project, which aims to recreate Black Isle Studios' cancelled Fallout game Van Buren, have released a new Pip-Boy design for Fallout: New Vegas. This 'Lil Pip 3000' is based on Van Buren's original design documents and features a unique flipping-up lid animation. Alongside the Pip-Boy, a Wattz Weapon Pack with five laser guns inspired by Van Buren has also been released.
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto says the most interesting thing about Super Mario Bros. is that you don't actually…
Shigeru Miyamoto shared his perspective on the original Super Mario Bros., highlighting that Mario's initial encounters with Bowser were not direct fights but rather environmental challenges. He also commented on AI in game development, seeing it as an opportunity for reflection on core principles.
Hyllade Dispatch får jubileums-DLC med två nya spellägen
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the critically acclaimed game Dispatch, a new DLC has been released featuring two new game modes: a developer/voice actor commentary mode and a storyboard mode. The DLC is free for owners of the Deluxe edition, and the base game is currently 20% off. Additionally, Dispatch will launch on Android and iOS on December 9th, with the first four episodes available for free.
Phantom Blade Zero's Metacritic score beats out Onimusha and Nioh 3 as one of the top action games this year
Phantom Blade Zero has debuted with a Metacritic score of 88, positioning it as one of the year's top-rated action games and surpassing titles like Nioh 3 and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The game received high praise, including four-and-a-half stars from GamesRadar+, for its smooth and engaging combat.
Mass Effect 5 was named Universe partly because it let players generate alternate timelines based on their choices in previous entries, technical director says
Romain Toutain, franchise technical director at BioWare, revealed that the internal title Mass Effect Universe was considered for Mass Effect 5 partly due to a system that allowed players to generate alternate timelines based on their choices from previous games. This ambitious feature aimed to give players "absolute autonomy" by creating branching narratives and even generating content to ensure mission completion, though it was complex to implement. The article also touches on the leaked internal trailer for the game and the studio's shutdown.
Mass Effect Universe sägs ha hämtat inspiration från Hitman
Details have emerged about the cancelled Mass Effect Universe, which was set 600 years after the original trilogy and featured a cold war between three factions. The player character was customizable and inspired by action heroes, with gameplay that allowed for more strategic approaches akin to Hitman. Despite BioWare stating the project was in early development, information suggests it was further along than believed, though development was hampered by the need to assist with Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, October 26 (game #967)
This article provides hints and answers for the New York Times Strands word game, specifically for game #967. It details the theme 'Please, be my guest!', lists the clue words, and reveals the spangram 'HOSPITALITY' along with all the solution words. The author rates the puzzle as 'Hard' and notes they needed one hint.
Nintendo reveals why you don’t actually fight Bowser in Super Mario Bros. 1
Shigeru Miyamoto shared insights into the original Super Mario Bros., explaining that the team struggled to create a direct battle with Bowser due to early hardware limitations. The iconic "jump over Bowser" mechanic was conceived as a way to progress to the right of the screen, a design choice that proved surprisingly fun and became a core element of the game.
Titan Quest 2 is adding an endgame for 1.0, but it won't become a Diablo-style grind
Grimlore Games has detailed upcoming improvements for Titan Quest 2's 1.0 update, scheduled for January 2027. The update will introduce a new endgame activity focused on customizable difficulty through 'Kaos Curses' rather than a seasonal grind, alongside significant overhauls to itemization, masteries, and enemy variety. The developer also confirmed that two minor updates will precede the 1.0 launch, adding features like buff shrines and hero monsters.
Putting Control Resonant Under A Microscope Is Rewarding In An Unexpected Way
The author explores how Remedy Entertainment's latest game, Control Resonant, shifts focus from intricate plot connections to the detailed environmental storytelling within its Manhattan setting. Despite initial expectations for deeper ties to the Remedy Connected Universe, the game's strength lies in its intentionally crafted in-game signage and world-building elements, which are authored by artists rather than AI.
Previewing The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham
The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham is an ambitious sophomore title from Causeway Studios, blending first-person mystery-adventure gameplay with Full Motion Video elements. Players step into the role of Lilith as she investigates a mysterious hotel and drive-in theater in Colorado to find a distressed character named Sara. The game features unique mechanics like an Astral Place corkboard for clue-gathering and the ability to alter reality by editing film reels, drawing inspiration from Lynchian cinema and a 'Desert Noir' aesthetic.
Civilization 7's game changing update was 'personally challenging' for its creative director, as being able to play as a single faction 'wasn't part of the original vision'
Firaxis Games has reintroduced an optional single-faction mode to Civilization 7 via the 'Test of Time' update, a decision that was personally challenging for creative director Ed Beach as it deviated from the game's original vision. This change addresses player feedback, particularly from veteran fans, who were divided by the initial age-transition mechanic. The studio is also preparing for the launch of the game's first DLC, Earthrise.
