Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Dziady Preview – Know your enemy in this atmospheric slice of Polish folklore
Dziady is an upcoming deckbuilder from Dem Entertainment that incorporates Polish folklore and traditions. Players must understand and empathize with their enemies to succeed, uncovering lore to exploit weaknesses. The game emphasizes atmosphere and a unique card system where actions affect both the player and opponents.
Exclusive interview: The Scroll of Taiwu is what happens when an RPG stops holding your hand
The Scroll of Taiwu, a complex Wuxia-inspired RPG from ConchShip Games, has launched its 1.0 English version after years in Early Access. Founder Zheng Jie discusses the game's unique design philosophy, which emphasizes player agency within a living world rather than making the player the central focus. The game blends life simulation, roguelike elements, and generational drama, offering a deep cultural experience rooted in Chinese folklore and martial arts.
Resident Evil 2 Director Wants Leon to Return for a Cozy Game About His Retirement — And It Sounds Very Different to Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil 2 director Hideki Kamiya has shared his concept for a retirement-themed game starring Leon S. Kennedy, envisioning a cozy experience that diverges significantly from the traditional survival horror genre. This hypothetical title would explore a new direction for the Resident Evil franchise.
How games can "queer the concept of time" - and help us explore, interrogate, and reinvent our relationship with life's many milestones
This article explores how video games are examining the concept of 'queer time,' a non-linear and personal experience of life milestones often faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Games like Life is Strange, If Found, and Killing Time At Light Speed are highlighted for their narrative and mechanical explorations of identity, temporality, and societal pressures.
If you kill every Fable NPC, Playground Games says the world will 'stay empty for some time' before being…
Playground Games has confirmed that Fable will feature a repopulation system for NPCs, meaning settlements will eventually refill even if players kill all inhabitants. While initially considering permanent consequences, the studio opted for repopulation to avoid cutting off game systems. The game will launch on February 23, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.
nDreams founder launches new studio Atmospheric to create "original IP across games and music"
Patrick O'Luanaigh, founder of VR studio nDreams, has launched a new independent entertainment company called Atmospheric. The studio aims to create original intellectual property across games and music, exploring innovative ways to integrate audio and narrative into immersive worlds. O'Luanaigh, who stepped down as CEO of nDreams in May 2025, is currently the sole employee and is self-funding the venture, with plans to seek a publishing partner next year.
Hideki Kamiya thinks there should be a cozy Resident Evil game, where 'retired Leon goes fishing in the…
Game director Hideki Kamiya, known for his work on the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2, has proposed a concept for a cozy, non-scary Resident Evil game. He envisions a title where a retired Leon Kennedy engages in activities like fishing, gardening, and baking, rather than survival horror. Kamiya suggested this idea to Capcom, expressing his own desire to play such a game.
World's smartest Meccha Chameleon player bamboozles opponents by not disguising themselves at all: 'Hiding is…
A player in Meccha Chameleon has gained attention for an unconventional strategy: not hiding at all. By remaining in plain sight and acting as if they were a seeker, the player successfully bamboozled opponents in public lobbies. This tactic highlights the game's unique approach to social deduction, where subverting expectations can be a valid path to victory.
New Vegas director Josh Sawyer says games can and should pull on artistic inspirations from 'anywhere and everywhere': 'Greek plays, they knocked it out of the park thousands of years ago—why not look at them?'
Obsidian design director Josh Sawyer believes games should draw artistic inspiration from all sources, including ancient Greek plays and classic films. He emphasizes that the core of game design is evoking thoughts and emotions in players, a goal that should be continually reevaluated throughout the development process. Sawyer cites examples from Fallout: New Vegas, Pentiment, and Pillars of Eternity to illustrate how diverse inspirations can inform mechanics and player experience.
With a dumpster-truck full of cash, New Vegas director Josh Sawyer would probably make a 'spiritual successor'…
Obsidian studio design director Josh Sawyer stated that his dream project would be a spiritual successor to the 1990s historical fantasy RPG Darklands, provided he could work with people he enjoys. Sawyer, who has worked on games like Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity, and Pentiment, emphasized the importance of a positive work environment over the specific game being developed.
Valorant's Neon is "curbed" for now, but Riot says "balancing her is definitely challenging"
Riot Games is discussing the challenges of balancing the agent Neon in Valorant, with Lead Agent Designer Dan Hardison and Agents & Live Product Manager Tiffy Tsay acknowledging her speed and movement abilities have been difficult to manage. Recent changes aimed to improve the 'playing against' experience by adjusting her High Gear ability and fuel replenishment, which has been considered a success in curbing player frustration and increasing agent variety.
American McGee Interview: Dreadful Land, Plushie Dreadful
American McGee, known for American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns, discusses his return to the game industry with Dreadful Land and his plushie line, Plushie Dreadful. He reflects on how his personal aesthetic became a brand and the evolving landscape of indie game marketing, from studio-centric branding to game-centric studio branding. McGee is also exploring licensing his Dreadful Land intellectual property for future game development.
Space shooter Hyperwired gives you a ship with a doofy power cable hanging out the back and challenges you to keep its battery charged
Hyperwired, a top-down space shooter developed by Sidralgames, challenges players to manage their ship's battery by tethering to satellites while battling enemies. The game features procedurally generated levels, unlockable power-ups, and extensive ship and weapon customization. The full game is set to launch on July 2nd, with a demo available on Steam.
Hidden Adaptive Game Systems Controversy: Are Modern Games Changing in Real Time? | Invision Game Community
A debate is emerging in gaming communities regarding hidden adaptive game systems that players believe may be altering gameplay in real time, affecting factors like difficulty, AI, and loot. While modern games do incorporate dynamic systems, there is no verified evidence of secret, player-specific adjustments, with most perceived changes likely attributable to complex design, randomness, and player perception.
Virtua Fighter Crossroads new trailer shows the villain of the piece – haven’t we seen him before?
A new trailer for Virtua Fighter Crossroads, releasing in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, showcases its story mode and introduces the antagonist, the Bakunawa Killer. The trailer hints at the villain's identity being Pai's father, Lau, despite his de-aged appearance, raising questions about the narrative's central mystery. Developed by RGG Studios, the game appears to incorporate elements from their Yakuza series experience.
Joy Malignant is a photobashed, dice-based RPG where every choice you make affects how your faceless body looks
Joy Malignant is a forthcoming dice-based role-playing game where player choices visually alter the character's appearance, creating a unique, faceless protagonist. Inspired by games like Citizen Sleeper and Disco Elysium, it features a core loop involving dice rolls to perform actions and progress the narrative. The game is set to release on July 29th and is available on Steam.
Civilization 7 devs talk 20th century leaders, controversial historical figures, and dealing with colonialism in 4X strategy games
Firaxis is discussing design choices for Civilization 7, including the inclusion of 20th-century leaders and controversial historical figures. The developers are also addressing how to represent colonialism in the 4X strategy genre, acknowledging the challenges of moving away from traditional expansion and profit-driven mechanics.
50 Ways to Ruin Your Indie Game — Avoid These Mistakes
This article outlines 50 common mistakes that can lead to the failure of an indie game before or during its release. It covers pitfalls in marketing, game design, development planning, team organization, and publishing strategies, emphasizing the importance of avoiding common errors to ensure a successful launch.
From Hydro Drift Ninjas to Sonic Napoleons: I spent far too long definitively ranking Tokyo Xtreme Racer’s best opponent names
This article ranks the best opponent names from the racing game Tokyo Xtreme Racer, highlighting humorous and evocative monikers. The author discusses various racers' nicknames, their associated cars, and brief backstories, ultimately crowning 'Big Mum' as the top choice for its quirky vibe.
League of Legends Classic is real: "This was the right time"
Riot Games has officially announced League of Legends Classic, a mode that returns the game to its earlier state, including classic Runes and Summoner Mastery trees. The announcement was made via a developer update video featuring Executive Producer Paul Bellezza and Head of League Studio Andrei van Roon, after details were accidentally leaked onto the PBE. The Classic mode will feature updated "modern tech under the hood" and will be integrated into the same client as the current game.
