Game Design
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Five Games, One Button – One Button Games Vol. 9 Arrives On Xbox
Xitilon has released One Button Games 5-in-1 Vol. 9, a compilation of five arcade-style games developed by ABA Games and m1s3ry. Available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC, the collection features varied gameplay mechanics all controlled by a single button. The compilation is priced at £4.19 and explores how much variety can be achieved with simple controls.
Diablo 5 senior director says some complex systems were 'deferred' to the endgame, so it could 'deliver the depth and mastery elements' without 'overwhelming our players who are enjoying spending a lot of time in the campaign and exploring the world'
Diablo 5 senior game director Joe Shely stated that the team is aiming to cater to all Diablo fans by strategically deferring complex systems to the endgame. This approach ensures that players who enjoy the campaign and exploration are not overwhelmed, while still providing depth and mastery for endgame enthusiasts. Narrative director Jennifer Hepler added that passionate advocates for each playstyle are present on the development team.
Metroid is 40 years old but what kind of future is Nintendo building for it?
Despite Metroid celebrating its 40th anniversary, Nintendo's commitment to the franchise's future appears uncertain, with the upcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Metroid Ravenous being the only major releases. While Metroid Dread was the best-selling entry, its sales pale in comparison to The Legend of Zelda series, suggesting Metroid remains a prestige title rather than a mainstream hit. The article questions whether Nintendo's current approach, focusing on similar 2D and 3D iterations, is enough to evolve the series or if a more radical reinvention is needed.
Uncharted 4, The Last of Us Director Says Modern AAA Games Like God of War Laufey Look “Boring”
Bruce Straley, director of The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, finds modern AAA games like the upcoming God of War Laufey to be "boring" due to a lack of risk-taking in gameplay, despite impressive visuals. Straley, who left Naughty Dog to found Wildflower Interactive, aims to create innovative IPs with his new studio, whose debut title Coven of the Chicken Foot is in development for PC.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is “Probably” Around 200 GB, Says Director
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed the game will likely be around 200 GB, significantly larger than its predecessor. He stated the large installation size is necessary to overcome hardware limitations and emphasized the team's desire to still offer a physical product despite the trend towards digital distribution.
Gungrave G.O.R.E.: Blood Heat Showcases Explosive Action Gameplay In New Trailer
A new trailer for Gungrave G.O.R.E.: Blood Heat showcases significant upgrades to its action gameplay, particularly its combat system. The trailer highlights new mechanics like parrying and a blend of intense action with metal music, suggesting improvements over the original release's repetitive gameplay and lackluster story.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered – 15 Changes That Could Transform the Experience
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered introduces significant changes, including modernized combat, redesigned skill trees, and visual overhauls, aiming to make the game feel contemporary. Key improvements focus on Geralt's responsiveness, enemy AI, traversal, and a free upgrade for existing owners, with PC receiving additional graphical enhancements like full path tracing.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve – 15 Biggest Details Revealed So Far
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is launching on October 2nd for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, featuring a new story set in Strangereal and introducing first-person cutscenes. The game promises the largest campaign content in the series, over 30 aircraft at launch, and enhanced multiplayer modes including PvE and PvP options. Developed on Unreal Engine 5, it also boasts improved cloudscapes and PC system requirements significantly higher than its predecessor.
Silent Hill: Townfall Will Critically Surpass Silent Hill f And 2 Remake, Says Series Producer
Series producer Motoi Okamoto expressed high confidence that Silent Hill: Townfall will achieve critical acclaim comparable to or exceeding Silent Hill 2 Remake and Silent Hill f. Despite subdued audience excitement due to limited gameplay reveals, Okamoto believes positive reactions from hands-on demos indicate a potential masterpiece. The game is set in 1996 Scotland and explores themes of individuals versus corporations, with its mid-90s setting chosen to enhance the horror experience by limiting technological assistance.
Massively Overthinking: Does the MMORPG genre have a nostalgia problem?
This article discusses whether the MMORPG genre suffers from a nostalgia problem, with various writers debating the trend of classic servers and re-releases. While some see it as a financial crutch or a sign of stagnation, others view it as a valid form of game preservation or a necessary move in a risk-averse industry. The discussion highlights differing player attitudes and the potential for these throwback experiences to coexist with innovation.
The Blood of Dawnwalker sequel may not have the divisive time mechanic that so many players dislike: 'We will not…
Rebel Wolves is considering whether to include the divisive time mechanic from The Blood of Dawnwalker in its sequel. Studio CEO Konrad Tomaszkiewicz stated that the system will be used only if it fits the narrative, acknowledging player feedback and the popularity of mods that remove it. He also noted that complaints about the mechanic have decreased as players have completed the game and found sufficient time to experience its content.
Overwatch w/Devs: Doctrine, Grimsvötn, Reworks, and More | Official XBOX Podcast
The Official Xbox Podcast features members of the Overwatch team discussing new content revealed at BlizzCon 2026. They detail the new hero Doctrine, the Grimsvötn map, and reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, while also teasing future content and a special "Westwatch" Dagger Heart tabletop event.
Here’s The Great New Tactics Game You Should Be Playing–And I Don’t Mean Fire Emblem Or Zero Company
Ex Sanguis is a highly recommended tactics game that builds upon the strengths of Othercide with a snappier roguelike gameplay loop and streamlined mechanics. While it may lack the deep narrative of its predecessor, its satisfying combat and rewarding progression make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Stranger Than Heaven's combat system is one of many gambles that RGG might regret
This preview of Stranger Than Heaven, the next Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio game, focuses on its radical departure from the Like a Dragon series' traditional brawler combat. The new system, which controls each limb with a separate button and features directional blocking, is described as novel but potentially frustrating, especially in group encounters. The article also touches on controversial celebrity casting and the game's potential connection to the Like a Dragon lore, expressing concern that the studio is gambling on unproven ideas.
Diablo 5 is Blizzard's darkest ARPG yet, and that's the best way to honor the game that changed my life 30…
Blizzard announced Diablo 5 at BlizzCon 2026, slated for a 2029 release. The game aims to be the darkest entry in the series, returning to the horror roots of the original Diablo to honor its 30th anniversary. Senior game director Joe Shely stated that the game's premise involves Sanctuary being destroyed and Diablo winning, with few survivors enslaved or turned into demonic followers.
Brandon Sanderson Is Eager to Adapt His Books into a Video Game, Calling Himself a 'Lifelong Gamer'
Author Brandon Sanderson, a self-proclaimed lifelong gamer, expressed his strong desire to adapt his Mistborn book series into a video game. He believes the series' magic mechanics are well-suited for an interactive format but is seeking the right studio partner to collaborate with.
Grim Dawn Fangs of Asterkarn Review – One Hell of a Way to Say Goodbye | Invision Game Community
Grim Dawn: Fangs of Asterkarn is a massive and brilliant final expansion for Crate Entertainment's action RPG, adding a huge new region, the Berserker mastery with shapeshifting abilities, new enemies, equipment, and an endgame challenge called Ascendant Mode. Despite some minor issues like sparse areas and ageing visuals, the expansion successfully expands upon the core Grim Dawn experience, offering veterans significant new content and build experimentation opportunities.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is such a perfect JRPG remake, it has me wishing for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake I…
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC remake is praised as a near-perfect modernization of a classic JRPG, balancing faithfulness with new details. It offers a superior approach to remakes compared to titles like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which the author feels diverges too much from its source material.
Big Walk Is Devastating (in a Good Way)
Big Walk is a co-op game by House House that excels at fostering connection between friends, especially those separated by distance. The game's simple mechanics, low stakes, and emphasis on communication create a deeply engaging experience. Its beautiful, realistic world and surprisingly emotional ending make it a standout title for shared online adventures.
I'm two weeks into The Blood of Dawnwalker and may have already damned my soul – is that good?
Two weeks into The Blood of Dawnwalker, the author is embracing the game's vampiric themes and challenging 'Duelist' difficulty. The narrative has hooked them with its moral quandaries, particularly concerning the use of vampiric powers and their potential spiritual cost, setting up a compelling penultimate week.
