Game Design
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The Blood of Dawnwalker Includes Pixies, Gargoyles, Kobolds, and Other Fantasy Beings
Rebel Wolves' upcoming game, The Blood of Dawnwalker, will feature a variety of fantasy beings including pixies, gargoyles, and kobolds, as revealed in a recent Q&A. The game is set to launch on September 3rd for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with the physical version confirmed to include the full game on disc, though a day-one patch is recommended.
Retro-styled MMO Hollowed Oath lets you get beat up while you’re offline (for a while)
The latest patch for the retro-styled MMORPG Hollowed Oath introduces a "lingering" mechanic where characters remain in the world for a period after logging out, preventing players from using disconnects as an escape. Patch 0.17 also includes item attunement, graphical improvements, and ongoing work on merchants, achievements, and inventory storage.
This is the most balanced start to a Warhammer 40K edition that I can remember, but there's still room for…
Warhammer 40,000 11th Edition offers a refined experience with significant overhauls to terrain, objectives, and mission structures, leading to more engaging gameplay and list building. While generally well-balanced, some disposition rules like 'Purge the Foe' and 'Disruption' present challenges, and the return of 'toeing into terrain' may favor fast-firing units. Future codexes for Orks and Space Marines are anticipated to further impact the game's meta.
Path of Exile is ripping up the rulebook, and nothing is "untouchable" - but don't get your hopes up for a campaign skip
Grinding Gear Games directors Mark Roberts and Christopher Laferriere discussed upcoming changes for Path of Exile 3.29, including the removal of socket colors and the introduction of underwater combat. They confirmed that while no changes are off the table, campaign skips are not currently planned, as they believe the journey is integral to character development and player investment. The developers also touched on the addition of a new Scion ascendancy and the ongoing development of Path of Exile 2.
'The mid-2000s was the golden era of first-person shooters': David Syzmankski, creator of Dusk and Iron Lung,…
David Szymanski, creator of Dusk and Iron Lung, discusses his gaming history and preferences in a 'Disk Cleanup' feature. He highlights Myst as a foundational experience and considers the mid-2000s the golden era for first-person shooters due to their variety. Szymanski also shares his high playtime in Elden Ring and his enduring appreciation for Doom.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced lead begs fans to "please play us when when GTA 6 comes out" as he…
Richard Knight, game director for Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, hopes players will continue to engage with the game even after Grand Theft Auto 6 releases in November. He indicated that post-launch support, including bug fixes and quality-of-life updates like New Game Plus, is planned, though a formal roadmap has not been revealed. Knight also mentioned that the team has ideas for DLC focused on Edward Kenway's story.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various disparate topics within the gaming world, including a car sponsored by the game Umamusume Pretty Derby in Japan's Super GT racing series, controversy surrounding the character Valko in Love and Deepspace, and reflections on game design elements like doors and ladders. It also touches upon the film The Odyssey and a fictional narrative involving a delivery driver.
007: First Light was originally going to be less about James Bond and more of 'an ensemble piece', with 'all the 00s working together, as they do in Slovakia'
007: First Light was initially conceived as an ensemble piece where multiple 00 agents would work together, according to lead writer Michael Vogt. IO Interactive ultimately shifted the focus to James Bond's individual development after an early mission resulted in the deaths of most other trainees, forcing Bond to mature and grapple with survivor's guilt.
Level-5 talks Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, believes “the ending will make people think a little”
Level-5 president Akihiro Hino discussed Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, noting that its ending is designed to make players think about the implications of AI and technological advancement. He also confirmed that the game will feature the most puzzles in the series, developed by Quizknock, and will preserve the satisfying conclusion characteristic of previous titles.
"During the training sequence, we make a false promise": IO Interactive on the ensemble James Bond game that 007 First Light never was
IO Interactive's James Bond game, 007 First Light, originally planned for an ensemble cast of Double-O agents, shifted focus to a solo Bond after a narrative twist where most agents die. Lead writer Michael Vogt explained this change was made to transition the story from a lighter tone to a more serious reality for Bond, emphasizing his survival and subsequent maturation.
Shigeru Miyamoto talks Mario games which impressed him the most
Legendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto shared which Mario games left the biggest impression on him in an interview with Casa Brutus. He specifically highlighted Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo and Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 as particularly impactful titles.
You're probably not going to see everything your friend does in The Blood of Dawnwalker, and its director is just fine with that
Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of The Blood of Dawnwalker, discusses the game's design, which intentionally allows players to miss content due to a 30-day in-game timer and a lack of a traditional main quest. He believes this approach fosters player freedom and encourages conversations about different experiences, rather than expecting players to see everything in a single playthrough.
I minispelens förlovade Nintendo-land
This article reflects on the legacy of Nintendo's minigame-focused titles, highlighting WarioWare's 20th anniversary and the innovative Rhythm Tengoku series. It also discusses the artistic and design principles behind the bit Generations series, emphasizing their influence on modern minimalist games and their timeless appeal.
The Blood of Dawnwalker's total freedom of choice is essential: "You need to accept that people will not see everything"
The Blood of Dawnwalker aims to deliver unparalleled player freedom in its branching-path RPG design, allowing choices to significantly impact the protagonist Coen and the world. Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz emphasizes that players will not see everything in a single playthrough, fostering replayability and unique experiences. The game's combat system offers both advanced directional mechanics and a more accessible neutral block option, catering to different player styles.
Question time: How long have you been playing MMOs?
This opinion piece discusses the perceived age of MMO players and the evolution of MMO design towards seasonal structures and midcore content. It highlights the longevity of games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14, contrasting them with the shorter lifespans of newer titles like New World. The author, who has played MMOs since middle school, invites readers to share their own experiences and how long they've been engaged with the genre.
WRUP: Sonic the Hedgehog As Played In Kyle’s Basement edition
This week's 'What Are You Playing' roundup features staff and community members discussing their weekend gaming plans. Titles mentioned include Sonic the Hedgehog, Palworld, Final Fantasy XIV, Warframe, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, among others. The discussion also touches on game updates and personal preferences for dried fruits.
Realm of Ink Review | TheXboxHub
Realm of Ink is a new roguelite inspired by Chinese mythology, featuring hand-drawn visuals and fast-paced combat similar to Hades. While its Ink Relic system and Ink Pet evolution offer unique mechanics and encourage build variety, the game's level design is criticized for being generic and lacking environmental interaction. Despite these shortcomings, the combat and boss encounters are praised for their challenge and elegance, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
Our first glimpse at Hytale Chapter 1 has me absolutely salivating
Hypixel Studios has revealed extensive details about Hytale Chapter 1, showcasing new factions like goblins, an ability system, dungeons, and minigames. The update aims to establish Hytale as an adventure-driven RPG alternative to Minecraft, with a focus on player creativity and fun, and is slated for release within the next two to three months.
Not so much James Bond, more Mission Impossible - 007 First Light was originally more of an ensemble piece, says IO Interactive
IO Interactive originally considered making 007 First Light an ensemble piece featuring multiple agents working together, but shifted to focus solely on James Bond after a pivotal story event. Writer Michael Vogt explained that the game's genre also evolved from a straight spy thriller to more of an action-adventure with increased comedy and charm. Despite the narrative changes and recent studio layoffs, IO Interactive is planning DLC for 007 First Light.
What we've been playing - "He takes great joy out of my suffering"
This article features personal accounts of games played this week. Connor expresses frustration with a DLC for BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea, calling it "terrible." Chris revisits The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, appreciating its complexity, while Bertie discusses how spoiling 007 First Light for himself enhanced his enjoyment of the game's environmental design and dialogue.
