Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Silent Hill: Townfall takes place in 'the perfect storm'—a remote Scottish town that stands on the edge…
Director Jon McKellan discussed the setting and themes of the upcoming horror game Silent Hill: Townfall, which is set in 1996 Scotland. He highlighted the relevance of the era's technological advancements and the town's isolation to the game's narrative, emphasizing the importance of player empathy for the community. McKellan also noted that the subjective nature of Silent Hill allows for diverse player interpretations of the story.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced proves open-world games were already the perfect size 13 years ago
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced is highlighted as a successful example of open-world game design, demonstrating that density and focused mechanics are more effective than sheer size. The article contrasts its balanced scope with larger, more mechanically overloaded games, suggesting a return to more curated open-world experiences is desirable.
‘I Have a Personal Vendetta Against Filler Content’ – How The Blood of Dawnwalker Makes Its Open World Feel Meaningful
Developer Rebel Wolves discusses their approach to open-world design in The Blood of Dawnwalker, focusing on creating meaningful activities and deep lore to avoid 'filler content'. The studio aims to make every element of the game world feel purposeful and engaging for players.
Miyamoto reflects on the NES era and discusses western RPG’s influence on Zelda’s creation”
Shigeru Miyamoto reflected on the creation of The Legend of Zelda for the NES, stating it was inspired by western RPGs. He discussed the desire to move beyond linear, arcade-style games and incorporate save data functionality, leading to the development of the Famicom Disk System. Miyamoto also noted how Nintendo adapted elements from PC RPGs like Wizardry for the Famicom.
Adult-Mode Play: Gaming for Real Life | TAG
This article discusses the concept of 'adult-mode play,' which caters to gamers with limited time and finite budgets, contrasting it with the industry's focus on engagement metrics and extended play sessions. It highlights games that support shorter playtimes and suggests a mindset shift for adult gamers to enjoy their hobby without guilt or FOMO.
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto doesn't play games anymore - with one exception
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto revealed in a Famitsu interview that he rarely plays video games anymore, with the exception of helping his grandchildren clear titles like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. He also discussed his views on console hardware, suggesting that players prioritize gameplay experiences over raw specs, citing the success of the original Nintendo Switch.
The Legend of Zelda was inspired by Western RPGs says Shigeru Miyamoto, because Nintendo wanted to appeal to more…
Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that The Legend of Zelda was inspired by Western RPGs from the 1980s, which were not popular in Japan at the time. Nintendo aimed to create a non-linear game with a save system, leading to the development of the Famicom Disc System and the iconic adventure in Hyrule.
FF14's new zone has a creepy backrooms void tucked just underneath it, filled with horrible milky ruins and what I…
The latest patch for Final Fantasy XIV has introduced a new exploration zone called the North Horn, featuring a hidden, horrifying 'dark territory' beneath it. This area, filled with voidsent enemies and described as a dimension corrupted by another realm, bears a striking resemblance to the Promyvion zone from Final Fantasy XI. The discovery adds an intriguing secret for players to uncover within the game's expansive world.
Regulation Made Slot Games More Fun to Play | Invision Game Community
New regulations, particularly those banning autoplay and mandating pauses between spins, have significantly altered the design of slot games. This has forced developers to rethink pacing and build more engaging moments, leading to a higher quality player experience. While larger studios treated these rules as a design opportunity, smaller developers faced greater challenges in adapting, widening the quality gap in the market.
Real-Time Action: Top Live Dealer Casino Games for 2026 | Invision Game Community
The lines between video games and live dealer casino experiences have blurred significantly, with both industries adopting interactive elements and live presenters. This article analyzes the evolution of live dealer games, highlighting advancements in technology and production values by companies like Evolution. It categorizes current offerings into next-gen roulette, interactive game shows, and fast-paced blackjack, noting the increasing integration of video game mechanics and audience interaction.
Pokémon Pokopia's Bubbly Basin DLC and underwater-themed free update might be coming as soon as next week
A private commercial suggests that the Bubbly Basin DLC for Pokémon Pokopia and a free underwater-themed update may launch as early as August 5th. The DLC is expected to include new Asian temple-style building kits and confirmed Pokémon such as Mudkip and Sharpedo. This potential release date follows the game's strong performance and anticipation for substantial content updates.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation boss has been thinking about ways to make a mysterious boss suitable for the upcoming…
Final Fantasy 14 is set to receive a major crossover event with Final Fantasy 7, featuring a raid series with 12 boss fights spread across three tiers. Directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Naoki Yoshida collaborated to align release schedules and create a franchise-energizing event. Discussions are ongoing with Square Enix's creative teams, including Tetsuya Nomura and Kazushige Nojima, to ensure lore and design compatibility for the raid bosses, with a focus on making Final Fantasy 7 characters suitable for Final Fantasy 14's raid format.
The ONLY Souls Crossover X Souls Tier List You Need
This guide provides a tier list for Souls Crossover X, ranking various souls based on their in-game benefits and buffs. It details S-tier souls like Seven Souls, Determination Soul, and Bravery Soul as the most powerful, followed by A, B, C, and D tiers. The article also touches on how to obtain souls and the benefits of soul sets.
Yoshi-P is looking into ways to make FF14's 5 expansions and hundreds of hours less daunting for new players
Final Fantasy 14 director and producer Naoki Yoshida is exploring ways to make the MMORPG's extensive story content less daunting for new players. He is considering implementing systems, potentially by the time of the Dawntrail expansion, to streamline the experience and accommodate requests for easier story progression.
Flera gameplay-klipp från CRPG:t Vampire: The Masquerade – Eternal Whispers
Flyos has released several gameplay clips for their upcoming CRPG, Vampire: The Masquerade – Eternal Whispers, which emphasizes slower-paced, thoughtful gameplay akin to Disco Elysium. The videos showcase elements like a safe haven for planning, multiple approaches to obstacles such as locked doors, stealth mechanics, and dialogue choices. The game is set to release on PC with no fixed release date yet.
Sonic Spinball: Finding Peace in the Chaos
This article discusses the unique gameplay of Sonic Spinball, contrasting its pinball-based mechanics with the typical platforming found in other Sonic the Hedgehog titles. It explores how the game's design creates a distinct experience within the franchise.
Marathon’s Vault Breaker disappoints, but there’s still hope for Season 3
Bungie's new time-limited Vault Breaker PvE mode in Marathon, while offering a glimpse into the game's sci-fi universe without player threats, is not a successful solution for the game's current issues. The mode, set in the Cryo Archive, is difficult for new players to grasp and its progress does not carry over to the core game, limiting its appeal. Despite this, the article suggests that Season 3 holds promise for Marathon with a dedicated PvE experience and core game improvements.
Silent Hill: Townfall's director finds it 'utterly terrifying to be the next one in the series' but is still confident fans will enjoy the experience
Jon McKellan, director of Silent Hill: Townfall, admits it's 'utterly terrifying' to be the next in the series but is confident fans will enjoy the experience. He and producer Motoi Okamoto discuss the game's setting in 1996 St. Amelia, its psychological horror narrative, and how they aim to subvert expectations while remaining true to the Silent Hill identity.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director prefers JPRGs to the likes of Skyrim, Fallout, and Baldur's Gate because their linear narratives allow for "a stronger story" and "more memorable characters"
Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, expressed a preference for JRPGs over Western RPGs like Skyrim and Fallout, citing their linear narratives as conducive to stronger stories and more memorable characters. He believes this focus on a defined narrative allows for a more impactful storytelling experience compared to the player-driven choices often found in Western RPGs.
Baldur's Gate 3 boss praises the RPG's most brutal run yet, as 2 players ruin their game to stuff every NPC inside a single crate: "We should've made that an achievement"
Two Baldur's Gate 3 players have been collecting the bodies of every NPC they kill in a single in-game chest, causing significant lag. Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke found the players' actions amusing and suggested it should have been an achievement.
