Game Design
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Nintendo Basically Says That Splatoon 4 Will Happen
Nintendo producer Seita Inoue confirmed that the Splatoon franchise will continue to feature competitive PvP gameplay, even mentioning the possibility of "Splatoon 4." He clarified that the spin-off Splatoon Raiders was created to offer a different gameplay approach and serve as a new entry point into the series, emphasizing that Splatoon isn't solely about competitive play. The comments suggest a traditional Splatoon 4 is likely, potentially as a Switch 2 exclusive.
A modder has brought No Man's Sky-style seamless takeoffs to Starfield, and even in beta they look pretty great
A modder named 0xBobby has created a mod for Starfield called Seamless Planet Takeoffs, which aims to eliminate loading screens during planet departure sequences, similar to the transitions found in No Man's Sky. While the mod is currently in beta and primarily masks loading screens rather than removing them entirely, it significantly improves the immersion of space exploration. Seamless landings are not expected due to the complexity involved.
Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis needs to have this one thing or it won't feel right
The upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis needs to feature a fully interactive Croft Manor to feel authentic to the series' legacy. While recent games have included the estate narratively, the author argues for the return of the sandbox-style training grounds found in earlier titles like Tomb Raider 2 and Anniversary. Developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog's inclusion of subtle callbacks like Charlie the fish suggests an understanding of the series' history, giving hope for the manor's return.
Darkest Dungeon is getting its first dollop of DLC in several years, as the gloomy old RPG celebrates its 10th birthday
Red Hook Studios announced Darkest Dungeon: The Fire's Edge, a new DLC for the original Darkest Dungeon, which will add two heroes from Darkest Dungeon 2 and introduce the burn combat mechanic. The DLC, launching August 18th, also includes reworked trinkets and three new Hamlet districts. This release coincides with the first game's 10th birthday, while a future DLC for Darkest Dungeon 2 is planned for early 2027.
Cyberpunk 2077 quest designer says Villa Eurodyne is still full of secrets: "I have hidden a lot in this…
Paweł Sasko, associate game director at CD Projekt Red, stated that Cyberpunk 2077, an open-world RPG, still contains many hidden secrets, particularly within Kerry Eurodyne's Villa. He emphasized the game's design philosophy of providing optional narrative depth through in-game emails, files, and shards, with the villa itself being a space he personally designed and filled with hidden details.
Choose My Adventure: Some mental blocks start to surface in the hard reset of Destiny 2
A player reflects on their return to Destiny 2, specifically revisiting the Shadowkeep expansion. They discuss challenges with the storyline, Eris Morn's character, slow power level progression, and difficulties with buildcrafting their Void Titan. The author is seeking community input on whether to follow guides or puzzle through the game's mechanics.
Hideo Kojima Reveals How He Wants To Die
Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, shared his unconventional wish to die in a movie theater just before a film begins. This sentiment reflects his deep passion for cinema, which he often states makes up a significant part of his being. Kojima is also involved in the upcoming horror game OD with Jordan Peele and declined to direct the Death Stranding movie.
Slay the Spire 2 developer shows artwork and concepts for Doormaker boss replacement Aeonglass
Developer Mega Crit has shared concept art and design details for Aeonglass, the replacement boss for Doormaker in Slay the Spire 2. The team explored various hourglass-inspired designs, ultimately settling on a concept that features lava lamp-like goo and atom-inspired attacks. Slay the Spire 2 is currently in early access and is not expected to leave until 2027 at the earliest.
Fallout: New Vegas director says RPGs should be messy and force players to make hard decisions: "No person can fix…
Fallout: New Vegas and Pentiment director Josh Sawyer believes RPGs should present players with difficult, imperfect choices rather than allowing them to fix every problem. He argues that restricting players and forcing them to confront the consequences of their decisions is more engaging and encourages introspection about values. Sawyer cites examples from Pentiment and Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire to illustrate his design philosophy.
What does the next 10 years hold for Pokémon Go? More mechanics, better gyms, and "multi-generational play"
Michael Steranka, vice president of product at Scopely Explore, discussed the future of Pokémon Go, outlining plans for enhanced gyms, more community events, and features to facilitate multi-generational play over the next decade. Despite a recent change in ownership from Niantic to Scopely, the development team aims to maintain the game's core experience while introducing new mechanics and fostering community engagement.
Nintendo explains why it’s coming out with Splatoon Raiders instead of Splatoon 4
Nintendo explained its decision to release Splatoon Raiders instead of Splatoon 4, citing a desire for a different gameplay approach that allows players to savor the action solo. Producers Seita Inoue and Yoshihiko Ito revealed that the spin-off leverages Salmon Run gameplay for a single-player experience, potentially taking advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2's power.
Splatoon Raiders Review
Splatoon Raiders is an action RPG praised for its deep customization and challenging battles. The game offers a well-designed experience for players seeking engaging gameplay.
Riot Games backpedals on League of Legends Classic requiring payment for classic skins
Riot Games has reversed its decision to charge for classic skins in League of Legends Classic after player backlash. The company will now unlock these skins by default, addressing concerns about monetization and the game's historical representation. This change is part of an ongoing effort to support older gameplay builds and champion kits.
Building on Burnout and an underwhelming predecessor are Wreckreation 2’s missions, and so far it’s a promising patch of Paradise
Wreckreation 2, developed by Three Fields Entertainment under the new name When Tides Turn, aims to recapture the spirit of Burnout Paradise with a more focused and physical arcade racing experience. The sequel moves away from the open, bland environments of its predecessor to a city setting, featuring improved car collision physics and a more natural driving model. The team plans an open development process, utilizing public demos for player feedback before release, and is self-publishing the title.
Phasmophobia’s 13 Willow Street rework keeps the classic layout with a much needed modern twist
Kinetic Games has reworked the 13 Willow Street map in Phasmophobia, preserving its classic layout while introducing modern twists and increased interactivity. The update features a more open entrance, a cat-themed living room and kitchen, a gym replacing the garage, an art room, and a significantly redesigned basement games room with more kiting opportunities. These changes aim to enhance the player experience by reducing frustration and adding new elements for ghost interactions.
Final Fantasy 14's Third Walk raid starts with FF11's most infamous boss being bodied in a cutscene because a raid designer wanted to show off the true strength of your first foe
Final Fantasy 14's battle content designer Masayoshi Ishikawa discussed the inclusion of Absolute Virtue in the Final Fantasy 11 crossover raid, explaining it was to showcase Shantotto's power. Ishikawa noted that while Absolute Virtue was a notoriously difficult boss in Final Fantasy 11, Shantotto defeats it in a cutscene before the fight in Final Fantasy 14, demonstrating her formidable strength.
Modern Warfare 4's Kill Block lets you use a Desert Eagle sniper rifle, but it's still Call of Duty at heart
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 introduces the 'Kill Block' map, featuring modular sections that recreate classic Call of Duty maps and change each round. The game also features a new ballistics model that offers more natural bullet spread and a 'Gunny' system for creating custom weapon loadouts with various attachments. While not a radical departure from the series' core gameplay, these additions aim to refine the experience for both casual and hardcore players.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 studio Infinity Ward can "see the conversation around weapon progression" and promises "more to share on leveling and the grind soon"
Infinity Ward has acknowledged the ongoing community discussion regarding weapon progression in the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. The studio stated on Twitter that they have more information to share soon about leveling and the "grind" involved in unlocking content.
R-Type 3 Dimensions (PC) Review – A Brutal Classic Reborn in 3D | Invision Game Community
R-Type 3 Dimensions on PC offers a faithful adaptation of the classic arcade shooter, bringing its brutal difficulty and pattern-based gameplay into a modern 3D presentation. While the visuals are updated, the core experience remains uncompromisingly challenging, demanding precision and repetition from players. This title is a direct homage to its roots, designed for those who appreciate old-school design and the satisfaction of mastering its unforgiving mechanics.
Free To Use Animal Hospital OC Ideas – WITH ART!
This article presents several original character (OC) ideas for the game Animal Hospital, focusing on new classes like the Night Watch, Jelly Intern, Priest, and Dietitian. The author provides detailed descriptions of each class's abilities, starting items, and potential balancing mechanics, encouraging readers to create their own unique characters based on these concepts.
