Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Review – Melt and Burn, Until It Is Done
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is a worthy follow-up to the original, significantly improving upon its predecessor's shortcomings, particularly in level design and enemy variety. While it retains the core boomer shooter gameplay, it introduces new mechanics and environments that keep the experience fresh and engaging. Despite minor gripes with weapon balance and occasional navigation reminders, the game successfully channels the grimdark atmosphere of Warhammer 40,000 into a satisfying and fun experience.
Tomb Raider remake boss says moments that "generated the most emotions" in the game are what the new release…
Developers of the Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis remake are prioritizing the preservation of emotionally resonant moments from the original 1996 game. While incorporating modern AAA mechanics like crafting and skill trees, the team aims to keep core memories, locations, and vistas untouched. They are also adjusting elements that don't fit the updated realism, such as finding ancient med packs.
Palworld studio doesn't want to just "release 100 new Pals with the next update" as Pocketpair lead says "every Pal should have something" memorable
Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, is prioritizing meaningful additions over simply increasing the number of Pals in updates. Lead John Buckley stated that each Pal should be memorable, whether through design, abilities, or personality, rather than just adding to a roster. This approach also considers the complex balance adjustments required with each new Pal.
Saros Gets Boss Rush And Tons Of Difficulty Options With Zenith Update
The sci-fi shooter Saros has received a free update called Zenith, which adds a 'Overlord Rush' boss rush mode with leaderboards and extensive difficulty customization options. These new features aim to cater to both new and veteran players, with modifiers that can significantly alter gameplay speed and combat mechanics.
GTA 6 is now officially just one month away
Grand Theft Auto 6 is officially set to launch on November 19, with Rockstar Games releasing a trailer a month in advance. The game will feature enhanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on PlayStation 5, though it remains locked at 30fps. Details have emerged regarding voice actors, potential multiplayer in 2027, a collector's edition that excludes the game, a vast map, mature content, and the return of radio stations and podcasts.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake borrows one of Breath of the Wild's most immersive features
A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch will feature a no-UI mode, similar to the one seen in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Players will have options for Standard, Pro, and Master UI modes, with the latter two significantly reducing on-screen information for a more immersive experience.
"For GTA to stay relevant it had to reinvent itself": Grand Theft Auto 4 got much darker because San Andreas took the "pop energy as far as it could go," says Rockstar's Dan Houser
Former Rockstar writer Dan Houser explains that Grand Theft Auto 4 adopted a darker, more realistic tone to reinvent the series and stay relevant after the high-energy 'pop' of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Houser believes this tonal consistency was a risk that paid off, contrasting it with the more lighthearted approach of Grand Theft Auto 5.
The Match-3 Trick Slot Makers Borrowed - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
The article analyzes how the "cascade" mechanic, popularized by the match-3 game Bejeweled, was adopted by slot machine designers. This chain reaction, where clearing matches causes new symbols to fall and potentially create further matches, creates momentum and player engagement. While Bejeweled's design relies on player skill and strategic planning, slot machines use cascades to extend suspense and pacing within a single spin, a concept pioneered by NetEnt's Gonzo's Quest and now common in the industry.
Alice Ruppert on the Science and Art of Video Game Horses
Game developer Alice Ruppert discusses her passion for horses and how she has become an expert in accurately representing them in video games. Through her website Mane Quest and consulting work, she helps developers improve horse mechanics, anatomy, and emotional attachment in games, highlighting titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Shadow of the Colossus as good examples.
Gambling as a Career: An Interview with a Betting Expert
This article discusses the key design principles that make casual games approachable and engaging for new players. It emphasizes the importance of low-friction discovery, clear onboarding, readable rules, and prompt feedback. The piece also touches on session length, progression, community features, interface clarity, and cross-platform access as crucial elements for player retention. Additionally, it briefly mentions online bingo as an example of familiar mechanics reducing learning curves and highlights responsible gambling tools.
5 Simple Steps to Check If a Betting Site Is Legit
This article analyzes the key design principles that make casual games approachable and engaging for players. It emphasizes the importance of intuitive onboarding, clear mechanics, readable rules, and effective feedback to create a welcoming experience. The piece also touches on session length, progression, community features, and interface clarity as crucial factors for player retention and satisfaction, with a brief mention of responsible gambling practices in the context of online bingo.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation has a hard mode you can select from the start, Naoki Hamaguchi says, but it "won't function in the exact same way as it did in Remake and Rebirth"
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation producer Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed that a hard mode will be selectable from the start, reimagined from previous titles to align with the new game design. The game will also feature an 'Enemy Strength' option and expanded player freedom in its difficulty settings, aiming to satisfy players seeking a high-difficulty experience while offering more strategic options.
No Rest for the Wicked går igenom sitt nya klassystem
Moon Studios, the developer behind the Ori games, has detailed a new class system for No Rest for the Wicked, which is currently in early access. The 1.0 release has been delayed to March 2027 for PC and PlayStation 5. The new system will be more open, with weapon usage granting points to unlock abilities, allowing for custom class variations.
Respawn Monday #21: Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a Much Better Game Even Without Dark Arisen — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
The author argues that Dragon's Dogma 2's base game is already a fantastic experience, even without its Dark Arisen expansion. While the story and quest design are considered vague, the combat, monster climbing mechanics, and companion system are highlighted as major strengths that make the game highly addictive. The Dark Arisen expansion is noted to significantly increase difficulty and offer superior gear.
Patch Notes — v1.2.0 news - Cult -Vein-
The latest patch notes for Cult -Vein- (v1.2.0 & 1.1.0) detail improvements to Chapter 2's design, sound effects, and puzzle clues, alongside light intensity adjustments and general optimizations. The Help section has been updated, and grammar mistakes in the notes have been corrected. Feedback can be submitted via Steam Community Discussions.
'There were a lot of disagreements across the place': Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler on leading Bungie's extraction shooter, playing Path of Exile for 3,437 hours, and why he'll never uninstall Kingdom Hearts
Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler discusses his extensive gaming habits, including thousands of hours in Path of Exile and Destiny 2, and his enduring love for Kingdom Hearts. He also touches on his experiences at Bungie, the challenges of leading the Marathon project, and his appreciation for the social aspects of games like World of Warcraft.
World of Warcraft Forever devs "want blood" between Horde and Alliance players, as long as you aren't "truly degenerate"
Blizzard Entertainment developers Josh Greenfield and Tim Jones discuss the PvP philosophy for World of Warcraft Forever, aiming for organic player-vs-player encounters and encouraging faction conflict without becoming 'truly degenerate.' They emphasize the importance of choosing the correct server type (PvE, PvP, or RP) at launch, as re-rolling will not be an option. The team wants PvP to feel free-form and casual, with Battlegrounds designed to match solo players against other solo players.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various essays and critical pieces, touching on interactive fiction tools like Twine, the complexities of identity and geopolitics, film analysis of "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East," the nature of horror in media, transgender rights, and the societal and environmental impacts of generative AI.
These Smash Bros. characters should stay the same in the next game
This article discusses which characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate are well-designed and should remain largely unchanged in future installments. It highlights King K. Rool, Captain Falcon, Mr. Game & Watch, Ridley, and the fighting game characters Ryu, Ken, Terry, and Kazuya as examples of fighters whose movesets accurately represent their origins and are iconic within the Smash Bros. series.
Famitsu review scores – October 17, 2026 – first score for Demons’ Night Fever, more
Famitsu has released its latest review scores for the week of October 17, 2026, featuring titles like Final Fantasy Resonance and Minecraft Dungeons 2. Demons' Night Fever received a mixed reception, with reviewers praising its unique tactical depth and quirky humor but noting potential immersion issues due to its strong "dark" power and "chuunibyou-esque" vibe.
