Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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John Carmack talks 'overly ambitious design' for Quake's 30th anniversary
John Carmack and Sandy Petersen reflected on the 30th anniversary of Quake, discussing organizational issues and ambitious design choices at id Software that impacted the game's development. While acknowledging the game's success, Carmack agreed with Petersen's sentiment that internal struggles and intense crunch contributed to challenges during its creation.
I've spent years reviewing strategy board games, and I'll die on the hill that these are some of the best
The author, a long-time reviewer of strategy board games, shares their top recommendations for titles with more depth than typical family fare. These games are highlighted as excellent choices for those who enjoy tactical thinking and are available at discounted prices during Prime Day board game deals.
Folk Emerging is a 4X strategy sim entirely set inside the first few turns of a Civilization game, and I think it has huge potential
Folk Emerging is a 4X strategy simulation game that focuses on the early turns of a Civilization-like experience, set in the Paleolithic era. The game emphasizes tribal survival, resource management, and adaptation to a dynamic environment rather than traditional city-building. It offers a unique take on the genre by highlighting ecological pressures and the need for constant movement, with potential for deep tribal management and emergent narratives.
Resident Evil Can’t Rely On Nostalgia Forever
The Resident Evil franchise risks creative stagnation by over-relying on nostalgia and remakes, despite recent successes like Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil 4. While titles like Resident Evil: Requiem offer polished experiences, they often retread familiar ground and themes. The series needs to embrace bold new directions, as it has in the past, to continue thriving and avoid becoming repetitive.
Perfect Ten: 10 reasons why it’s time to go back to your old MMO stomping grounds
This article explores ten reasons why players often return to MMORPGs they previously left, ranging from nostalgia and comfort to developer incentives like new content, fresh start servers, and addressing pain points. It also touches on social factors and the appeal of a game's resurgence or impending shutdown.
How roguelite shooter Void/Breaker’s destruction combat uses PS5 features
Void/Breaker, a roguelite shooter developed by Daniel Stubbington, is set to launch on PlayStation 5, emphasizing its destruction combat and weapon modification systems. The game aims to blend fast-paced action with strategic depth, leveraging PlayStation 5's DualSense controller features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. A demo is currently available, with the full release planned to include six zones and a narrative influenced by Returnal.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
This article delves into the notorious 'Jedi Problem' that plagued Star Wars Galaxies during its development and lifespan. It also touches upon a chapter related to the Halo series, specifically 'Chapter 7'.
Path of Exile 2's incredible new build guide feature just got even easier to use
Grinding Gear Games has enhanced the in-game build guide feature for Path of Exile 2 with a new subscription system, allowing players to automatically update imported builds. This update aims to simplify the process for new and existing players, especially those on consoles who previously faced difficulties with manual file management. The developers are working to resolve initial deployment issues on consoles.
Pantheon Rise of the Fallen gives an overview of its refreshed Cleric class
Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen has provided an overview of its refreshed Cleric class, detailing its specialization in healing via the Righteous tree or spell damage via the Judgement tree. The class will feature abilities such as shackling the undead, smiting evildoers, and healing, with flail weapon implementation planned for a future patch.
GTA 6 is a 'singleplayer experience', leaving me to question what's going on with GTA Online
Rockstar has confirmed Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch as a singleplayer experience in November 2026, leaving uncertainty about the future of its lucrative Grand Theft Auto Online component. While a "top secret" feature for online lobbies was revealed in court documents, Rockstar has remained silent on GTA Online's fate, though historically multiplayer modes have launched post-singleplayer release. The article speculates on potential models for a new online service, including standalone releases or subscription expansions.
You Aren’t Prepared For How Scary Phasmophobia 1.0 Is Meant To Be
Kinetic Games provided a preview of Phasmophobia's upcoming 1.0 update, highlighting significant graphical and audio revamps designed to enhance the game's horror elements. The update, slated for the second half of 2027, will feature new ghost behaviors and redesigned maps, including a rework of Willow Street. The developers aim to deliver a more terrifying and immersive experience for players.
GTA 6 Story Features Distinct 'Chapters' — Could Red Dead Redemption 2 Hold the Clue to How It Works?
Grand Theft Auto 6 players are speculating about the game's narrative structure, with discussions suggesting it may feature distinct chapters similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. This potential chapter-based approach is a key topic of conversation among fans.
Diablo 4 finally adds a mode it should have had on day one, but all I can think about is skinny Roadhog
Diablo 4's Season of Death Awakening (Season 14) introduces significant endgame updates including proper leaderboards and the long-awaited Solo Self-Found mode. The season also features new 'Ruptures' mechanic, a free Warlock class trial, and an Overwatch collaboration, though the latter has drawn mixed reactions. The expansion, Lord of Hatred, has been praised for improving the game's structure and story.
Knight of the Old Republic 2 was great because it peeled back Star Wars' black-and-white morality
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords is lauded for its deconstruction of the Star Wars universe's black-and-white morality, offering a darker, more complex narrative. Despite a troubled development and a rushed launch, the game, particularly with the Sith Lords Restored Content mod, is praised for its writing and characters, especially Kreia, who challenges simplistic notions of good and evil.
Citizen Sleeper creator explains why they're taking a swing with their new RPG
Gareth Damian Martin, creator of Citizen Sleeper, discusses the risks involved in developing their new RPG, Signet City, which features a fungal brain parasite influencing multiple hosts. Martin explains their design philosophy, drawing parallels to their previous games In Other Waters and Citizen Sleeper, and highlights the importance of innovative RPG structures and unique world-building in an industry they feel is lacking in risk-taking.
"Characters will come and go": Total War: Medieval 3 won't have skill trees because Creative Assembly want you to think in terms of dynasties
Creative Assembly has revealed that Total War: Medieval 3 will not feature skill trees, opting instead for a focus on emergent character traits and dynasties. This design choice aims to reduce repetition and busywork, encouraging players to think about the long-term progression of their ruling families rather than individual characters. The studio also confirmed an upcoming livestream focusing on playable factions.
GTA 6 is following Red Dead Redemption 2's footsteps in how it breaks up the story, Rockstar teases
Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will adopt a chapter-based story structure, similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. This approach means players will uncover new items and content as they progress through different stages of Jason and Lucia's narrative. The article also mentions the game's price point and the details of the Ultimate Edition.
Dead or Alive Deserves Better Than This
This opinion piece argues that the Dead or Alive franchise deserves better treatment and more attention from its developers. The article suggests that the series has potential that is currently being underutilized, implying a need for improved game design and focus.
‘Frog Sqwad’ Makes Amphibian Teams Collect Food in Wild Places
Frog Sqwad is a co-op party game where players control frogs collecting food for the Swamp King across procedurally generated levels. The game supports up to eight players and features mechanics like using a tongue to grab food, growing in size by eating, and dragging larger items. While the floaty movement can be challenging, the chaotic and frantic gameplay is highlighted as particularly fun with friends.
‘Frog Sqwad’ Makes Amphibian Teams Collect Food in Wild Places
Frog Sqwad is a co-op party game where players control frogs collecting food for the Swamp King across procedurally generated levels. The game supports up to eight players and features mechanics like using a tongue to grab food, growing in size by eating, and dragging larger items. While the floaty movement can be challenging, the chaotic and frantic gameplay is highlighted as particularly fun with friends.