Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Open-world D&D game Warlock doesn't have AAA-standard waypoints because the devs want players to feel that "when they found things, it was based on their actions"
Warlock, an open-world Dungeons & Dragons game from Invoke Studios, is intentionally omitting AAA-standard waypoints to encourage organic exploration and player agency. General manager Dominic Guay explained that the goal is for players to feel their discoveries are based on their own actions, not just following a marker. This design choice contrasts with games like Marvel's Wolverine and draws parallels to Red Dead Redemption 2's rumored pro-exploration settings.
Soulframe is already nailing down its storytelling formula with Preludes 16
Digital Extremes' upcoming fantasy game Soulframe is impressing with its narrative potential, as seen in its latest Preludes pre-alpha update. The update focuses on 'Warsongs,' major story drops that flesh out the main character, the Envoy, through gameplay sequences that shift between multiple perspectives, including playable sections as the Envoy's mother and even a beaver. While combat and progression systems are still in early development, the game's storytelling, visuals, and music have generated significant interest.
Dark Tactical Roguelite Order Automatica Launches on Mobile
Order Automatica, a dark tactical roguelite with automated battles, has launched on the Google Play Store for a discounted price of $4.79. The game features a 3x3 ritual grid where players position units and prepare for battles against demonic enemies, with deep strategic choices influencing outcomes. It also includes unit unlocks, light meta-progression, and multiple difficulty modes.
Diablo Discussion w/Devs: Diablo V, Season of Hell’s Legacy, and The Amazon | Official XBOX Podcast
Developers from Blizzard Entertainment discuss major Diablo announcements at BlizzCon, including Diablo V, Season 15 of Diablo IV, and the upcoming Amazon class. The team highlights the game's evolution, player reception, and the creative process behind new content and future installments.
The Witcher 3 'is not untouchable,' story director says of changes in the upcoming remaster: 'I still find some places that I think maybe nowadays, I would do it differently'
Marcin Blacha, CD Projekt Red's vice president of narration, stated that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is not untouchable and can still be improved, even with a remaster and a new expansion, Songs of the Past, planned for 2027. He discussed potential changes, such as making Dandelion wiser and adding more choices, acknowledging that his perspective has evolved over time.
Valheim 1.0 Review – Back to Hunting and Building
Valheim's 1.0 update, featuring the Deep North biome and general polish, enhances the core survival crafting experience. While the building and exploration systems have some awkwardness, particularly in the Mistlands biome, the game offers a strong meditative loop punctuated by intense action. The developer Iron Gate has consistently supported the game, making its full release a robust and replayable experience, especially in co-op.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave almost had 8 protagonists in a "bold" attempt to surpass Three Houses, and I'm so happy the devs talked themselves out of it
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave director Toshiyuki Kusakihara revealed the game was initially planned with eight protagonists, a bold attempt to surpass Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Developers ultimately decided to scale back to four protagonists to avoid overwhelming players, a decision the author agrees with, finding the prospect of eight too ambitious and potentially diluting the narrative.
Crimson Moon director says "life happens," as he explains ProbablyMonsters' time-friendly Soulslike
David Lesperance, director of Crimson Moon, discusses the game's design philosophy, aiming to balance deep soulslike gameplay with accessibility for players with limited time. He highlights the studio's responsiveness to player feedback, including implementing requested features like custom keybindings and addressing optimization issues.
WoW Factor: BlizzCon 2026 paints a bright future for retail World of Warcraft
Blizzard Entertainment revealed several updates for World of Warcraft at BlizzCon 2026, including details on the final patch for The War Within, 'Eclipse,' which will feature a confrontation with Xal'atath. The company also teased the next expansion, The Last Titan, and announced a Wrath of the Lich King expansion remix. New features like the Talebound roguelike mode and significant transmogrification updates, allowing armor type restrictions to be lifted, were also highlighted.
Fable lead promises "we stick the landing" with the RPG's ending, which hopefully means we won't…
Playground Games' co-founder and Fable director Ralph Fulton has assured that the upcoming RPG will feature a satisfying ending, contrasting with the widely criticized conclusion of Fable 2. Fulton emphasized the importance of the finale, stating that the team relentlessly pursued quality to ensure it resonates with players and aligns with the Fable series' core identity.
Diablo 5 doesn't have towns or safe zones because you're the safe zone now, buddy: "You and your band of…
Diablo 5 will feature a unique approach to safety zones, with players and their traveling caravan serving as the primary safe havens in a fallen world. Executive producer Matt Zitterman explained that this design choice aligns with the narrative and the game's return to randomized dungeons. The caravan will grow with survivors, becoming a hub for merchants, crafters, and companions, offering deeper storytelling opportunities.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave only has one save file, devs explain why
Intelligent Systems and Nintendo developers explained the decision to implement a single save file for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. They cited system complications and the difficulty of tracking progress across multiple saves as reasons, while also highlighting features like chapter saves and replays to mitigate the limitation.
Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons Doesn't Have Waypoints Because the Devs Want Players to 'Figure Things Out' for Themselves
The developers of Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons have intentionally omitted waypoints from the game. They aim to encourage players to explore the game world and discover its content organically.
WoW Forever discusses classes, addons, party forming, PvP progression, and how it effectively negates WoW 2
World of Warcraft Forever will feature increased gold costs for mount training and will not allow meeting stones to teleport players to dungeons, encouraging more player interaction. Addons will have similar restrictions to the retail version, and PvP will include its own progression system with honor ranks and cosmetic rewards. Principal designer Kris Zierhut stated that the game's efficient engine makes a "WoW 2" unnecessary.
Persona 4 Revival is an expected iteration on a well-worn formula, but the devil is in the details
Persona 4: Revival, a remake of Persona 4 Golden, is expected to modernize the classic JRPG with updated visuals, music, and combat mechanics similar to Persona 3 Reload. While the changes are welcome, the article expresses concern that the game may not address dated and problematic characterizations, particularly concerning the character Yosuke, and that the series formula is becoming overly familiar.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush Review – Pedal to the Plastic
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is an accessible arcade racer that prioritizes momentum and chaotic fun over precision. While its easiest difficulties are forgiving, the Very Hard setting offers exhilarating, barely controllable racing. The game excels at capturing a childlike sense of play, though aspects like vehicle customization and the track creator suffer from cumbersome interfaces.
Why switching main characters for your game's sequel might be a mistake
Consultant Christian Fonnesbech argues that switching main characters in game sequels is a significant business risk, as characters are a primary emotional connection for players and a valuable IP asset. While artistic choices like introducing female protagonists in Hades 2 can be successful, Fonnesbech questions their long-term business impact and suggests maintaining character continuity is crucial for franchise success, citing examples like Tomb Raider and James Bond.
Rogue Eclipse Review: A Disappointing Space Shooter | Invision Game Community
Rogue Eclipse, a roguelike arcade spaceflight shooter from HUSKCRAFTS, fails to deliver on its premise, suffering from repetitive enemies, weak progression, poor sound mixing, and a basic story. The game feels like it is still in Early Access and is difficult to recommend, even for short bursts of gameplay. The review suggests significant improvements are needed in multiple areas.
Clover Legends codes (September 2026)
This guide provides working codes for Clover Legends, a Roblox game inspired by the Black Clover universe. These codes offer in-game rewards such as Yul, gems, boss keys, and race rerolls, which can help players progress faster, especially towards unlocking PvP at level 250. The article also details how to redeem codes and where to find future updates via the official Discord server.
Rockstar boss says GTA 6's police "can be harder" to shake off than before, "but it's fun"…
Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson revealed that Grand Theft Auto 6's police system will feature a more persistent 'heat' mechanic, making it harder for players to evade law enforcement. The new system aims to move past instantaneous escapes, requiring players to actively manage their detection by the police, even after a chase ends.
