Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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5 top tips from World of Warcraft housing creators for making amazing masterworks
This guide offers five top tips from World of Warcraft housing creators for building impressive in-game homes. Tips include utilizing lighting, adding clutter for realism, mastering housing controls, developing a storyline for builds, and blocking out major shapes before focusing on details.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation boss is "very much aware" you hate Chadley for being a socially inept doofus, but he will soon have "a very integral part" in the story anyway
Final Fantasy 7 Remnant director Naoki Hamaguchi acknowledges fan dislike for the character Chadley but teases his integral role in the upcoming game's main story. Chadley, who was introduced in Final Fantasy 7 Remake as a researcher for Shinra, will have a significantly changed role in Remnant, potentially playing a strong part in the narrative.
Drive a train around an ash-covered world collecting ingredients for the last ever s'more as an anthropomorphic bird in the surreal and comically ominous Cinderline
Cinderline is a surreal walking simulator with platformer elements where players control a silent, anthropomorphic bird tasked with gathering ingredients for the last s'more. The game features a unique train mechanic for travel between towns and a comically ominous atmosphere, with a demo available on Steam.
GTA 6's story is too important for Rockstar to let you swap between Lucia and Jason whenever you want
Rockstar North's Rob Nelson explained that Grand Theft Auto 6 will limit protagonist swapping between Lucia and Jason during certain story missions to enhance player perspective, similar to Grand Theft Auto 5. While some missions will allow free switching, others will lock the player to one character to focus on specific narrative moments. Free swapping will still be available outside of missions.
Dwarf Fortress creator says we can learn something from simply walling up dwarf nobles to maintain an equal society—but notes you have to abolish the dwarf cops, too: 'Another lesson to be had there'
Dwarf Fortress co-creator Tarn Adams suggests that the game's complex simulation of nobility offers lessons for real-world societies, particularly regarding the management of an elite class. He notes that while players can wall off nobles, their influence persists if an armed guard enforces their demands, highlighting the need to abolish such enforcement for true egalitarianism.
The Blood of Dawnwalker creative director says all those glowing reviews are a "great relief" as the vampire ARPG's Metacritic score nearly matches The Witcher
The Blood of Dawnwalker, an open-world vampire ARPG from Rebel Wolves, has received mostly positive reviews, with its creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz expressing relief. The game currently holds an 83 Metacritic score, placing it close to The Witcher. While some reviews note similarities to The Witcher 3, the game also features a 60fps mode at launch.
I played 30 minutes of Alien Isolation 2 and yes, it is scarier than the original
Creative Assembly's Alien Isolation 2 expands the terrifying experience beyond claustrophobic interiors into dangerous outdoor environments, as demonstrated in a 30-minute preview. The sequel promises to be even scarier than its predecessor, featuring enhanced AI for the xenomorph and a brutal, overwhelming atmosphere on an alien planet.
Känslan av att äntligen vinna
This opinion piece discusses how difficult boss fights in video games provide a crucial sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. The author highlights examples like King K. Rool from Donkey Kong Country, M. Bison from Street Fighter II, and Isshin the Sword Saint from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice as memorable challenges that serve as a testament to player skill and development. Overcoming these tough encounters offers a rewarding feeling of victory, especially when contrasted with real-world frustrations.
Star Wars Zero Company Review – Built on Hope
Star Wars Zero Company successfully captures the XCOM feel while evolving its tactical turn-based formula. Despite some graphical issues on PlayStation 5 and a slow-starting story, the game offers satisfying combat mechanics, engaging character progression through Bonds, and a solid Star Wars atmosphere.
GTA 6 isn't flashy for the sake of it – I'm impressed at how additive every new detail feels to gameplay
Grand Theft Auto 6 is poised to be an industry milestone, building upon Rockstar Games' established crime sandbox formula with additive gameplay details. The article highlights how mechanics like physically carrying loot and an overhauled Wanted system integrate seamlessly into core gameplay, making the world feel more convincing and interactive than in previous titles, including Red Dead Redemption 2. The focus on natural integration of details and the partnership between protagonists Lucia and Jason suggest a refined and impactful sequel.
Afterworld, Paradox's post-apocalyptic grand strategy game, let me conquer Florida with a band of alcoholic mutant…
Paradox Development Studio's upcoming grand strategy game, Afterworld, offers a post-apocalyptic sandbox where players can lead various survivor factions. The preview highlights the game's deep systems for managing settlements, laws, and belief systems, drawing comparisons to Stellaris and Hearts of Iron 4. While ambitious and featuring unique mechanics like granular population management and an exploration-driven tech tree, the alpha build still requires significant polish and onboarding improvements.
GTA 6 Cut This Feature Because It Was Too Real, But One Lifelike Detail Is Staying
Rockstar Games has confirmed that a feature allowing players to buy groceries and restock their fridge in Grand Theft Auto 6 was cut because it was deemed too realistic and complicated gameplay. However, a realistic refueling system for vehicles will remain. The game is set to launch on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
All the RPS Supporter rewards for August 2026: fatty felines, GTA 6 pondering, and a heap of barely washed radishes
Rock Paper Shotgun has detailed its supporter rewards for August 2026, featuring exclusive articles and content. Highlights include a puzzle game about toast and cats, a discussion on covering Grand Theft Auto VI, and a piece on modding Skyrim for fishing.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation includes more spin-off characters, Naoki Hamaguchi says, and devs "thought really hard" about including more compilation references for the trilogy's finale
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that the game will continue the tradition of including references to the wider Final Fantasy 7 compilation. The development team put significant effort into integrating characters and elements from spin-off titles into the trilogy's finale, aiming to create a comprehensive new version of the FF7 universe.
Brigandine Abyss Review – One step forward, five steps back
Brigandine Abyss, a strategy RPG from Adglobe and NIS America, fails to impress with its dated design and uninspired story. While the game offers approachable grand strategy elements and a decent soundtrack, its repetitive gameplay, bland visuals, and balancing issues make it a significant step back for the series. The narrative is particularly weak, lacking depth and failing to engage players.
Games Inbox: Are retro video games becoming more popular?
This collection of reader letters discusses the growing popularity of retro gaming, the anticipation and potential console exclusivity of Grand Theft Auto 6, and the perceived resurgence in quality of Sonic the Hedgehog games. Other topics include Capcom's future releases, Sony's State of Play, and the long wait for Nintendo's Zelda remakes.
GTA 6 Vs. GTA 5 Graphical Comparison – 10 Biggest Changes You Should Know
Grand Theft Auto 6 showcases a significant graphical leap over Grand Theft Auto 5, particularly in character models, animations, lighting, and environmental detail. The game's realism is enhanced by advanced features like ray tracing and improved water physics, promising a more immersive experience on the PlayStation 5.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Could Make Linear Exploration Exciting Again
Onimusha: Way of the Sword aims to revitalize linear action-adventure gameplay by blending focused combat and puzzle-solving with optional exploration in its open-town sections. Director Satoru Nihei emphasizes skill-based mechanics like parrying and Issen, contrasting it with Souls-like difficulty. The game is set to launch on September 4th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Alien: Isolation 2 dev doesn't want you "on the verge of having a heart attack" playing the sequel, so…
Alien: Isolation 2 art director Ana Sopikova discussed the game's approach to tension, advising players who find it too scary to turn down the music. She emphasized balancing oppressive atmosphere with moments of relief to avoid constant, overwhelming fear. The article also draws parallels to Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Requiem in managing horror intensity.
The Witcher 3 director's new RPG Blood of Dawnwalker is a hit with most critics, and just behind The Witcher 1 and…
Blood of Dawnwalker, the new vampiric RPG from Rebel Wolves and The Witcher 3 director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, has launched to largely positive critical reception, with a Metacritic score of 83. While praised for its combat, worldbuilding, and story, some reviews noted issues with pacing, repetition, and jank.
