Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Elder Scrolls Online’s ‘hybridization initiative’ continues with update 51, due out August 31
ZeniMax Online Studios is continuing its 'hybridization initiative' with The Elder Scrolls Online's upcoming Update 51, scheduled for August 31. This update will further streamline character resources and stats by removing or replacing duplicated effects and overhauling systems like Mundus Stones, buffs, class passives, and alchemy to lower the barrier for creating effective builds.
Final Fantasy 11 is one of the greatest MMOs of our time
This article reflects on the enduring legacy of Final Fantasy XI, an MMO nearing its 20th anniversary. Despite its age and a complex login process, the game's design fostered cooperation and friendship, setting it apart from modern, more frictionless MMOs. The author explores the game's unique job system and the challenges of returning to a once-beloved world that has significantly changed.
Grounded 2 Interview: Obsidian Talks Into the Abyss, Future Updates, and the Road to 1.0
Obsidian Entertainment's Grounded 2 Game Director Chris Parker discusses the game's development, including the 'Beat the Heat' update and the 'Into the Abyss' expansion. Parker touches on the game's Dungeons & Dragons influences, the balance between realism and whimsy in its design, and the upcoming release on PlayStation 5.
Mina The Hollower Spoiler Interview: Sequel Talk, Chrono Trigger Homages, And That Ending
In a spoiler-filled interview, Yacht Club Games' David D'Angelo discusses the dark and thought-provoking ending of Mina The Hollower, drawing parallels to Victorian literature like Frankenstein and Dracula. He also touches on the game's narrative choices, the inspiration drawn from Chrono Trigger for its courthouse scene, and the potential for a sequel, hinting at future story possibilities.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Says Streamers Might Be Contributing To RPG “Crisis”
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Revelation, suggests that the popularity of game streaming might be contributing to a perceived "crisis" in the RPG genre. He theorizes that narrative-heavy games can be experienced passively through streams, potentially reducing the incentive for players to purchase and play them themselves. Hamaguchi emphasizes the need for RPGs to incorporate more player choice and decision-making to remain engaging.
Inspired by Dark Souls, former Destiny lead fought to add super tough enemies to the start of the game
Former Destiny world design lead Niles Sankey revealed that the placement of high-level 'skull health bar knights' in the game's Cosmodrome area was inspired by the challenging enemy encounters in Dark Souls. Sankey had to advocate for these enemies to remain in the game, as some developers considered them bugs due to their high difficulty.
Fatekeeper dev "a little overwhelmed by the enthusiasm" for its handcrafted fantasy RPG
Fatekeeper developer Paraglacial expressed gratitude for the strong player reception to its fantasy RPG, which is currently in early access. The team has released its second update, addressing player feedback with features like FOV settings and rebalancing combat mechanics. Paraglacial is also exploring replayability options while working on substantial future content additions.
Gothic Remake Review
Gothic Remake, developed by Alkimia Interactive and published by THQ Nordic, offers a challenging and atmospheric RPG experience that emphasizes player survival and earned progression. The game features deliberate combat, a permanent difficulty selection, and a narrative that unfolds through environmental storytelling and NPC interactions. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it prioritizes a grim atmosphere over technical showmanship, though it lacks character customization options.
Silent Hill: Townfall would be a better horror game if it had nothing to do with Silent Hill
This article questions whether Silent Hill: Townfall truly fits within the Silent Hill franchise, despite its use of familiar trappings like fog and monsters. The author argues that the game's hyper-realistic presentation and mundane puzzles detract from the series' signature psychological horror and poetic strangeness. While acknowledging the developer's attention to detail, the piece suggests that Townfall may be iterating on the wrong genre conventions.
The Adventures of Elliot devs were surprised by fan reaction saying Faie talks too much
Developers of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales were surprised by player feedback that the fairy companion Faie talks too much. In response, Square Enix has added an option to reduce dialogue frequency and implemented other quality-of-life improvements, including increased protagonist movement speed and difficulty options. The game is set to release on Nintendo Switch on June 18, 2026.
Virtua Fighter Crossroads devs say Yu Suzuki called it what he 'imagined Virtua Fighter could be'
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio revealed that Virtua Fighter Crossroads has received the approval of original creator Yu Suzuki, who stated it is what he "imagined Virtua Fighter could be." The game's creative director, Riichiro Yamada, shared Suzuki's positive reaction, which boosted the team's confidence. The article also touches on the game's story mode, which has drawn comparisons to both Shenmue and the Like a Dragon series.
Vampire The Masquerade Oaths and Ashes feels like the ultimate VTM visual novel
Vampire: The Masquerade - Oaths and Ashes is a new visual novel from Revive the Spark set in the Berlin By Night universe. The preview highlights the game's mechanics, which adapt tabletop RPG elements like disciplines and the Masquerade into visual novel choices, and features two playable characters, Alice and Lenz. The demo showcases a compelling narrative with meaningful consequences, differentiating it from previous titles in the genre.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s Developers Talk Miyamoto Musashi, a Haunted Kyoto, and Modernizing Combat
Capcom developers Satoru Nihei and Akihito Kadowaki discuss the upcoming Onimusha: Way of the Sword, set to release on September 25, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC. They detail the modernization of combat mechanics, the reimagining of Miyamoto Musashi, and the blend of historical Japanese settings with dark fantasy elements. The game aims for an accessible yet engaging action experience with adjustable difficulty modes.
PS5 Open World Racer Clutch Is Dividing Opinion with Its Story and Gadgets
The upcoming open-world racing game Clutch, developed by a team including former Forza Horizon developers, is generating divided opinions regarding its narrative focus and inclusion of gadgets like a harpoon. While some players are concerned about story elements and gameplay mechanics like grappling hooks, others welcome the potential for fun and unique missions, especially since these features may be optional during official races.
Ingenious single-player MMO that exploded on Steam is so dedicated to the raids in its "biggest update" yet that it has a manager for your simulated guild members
The single-player RPG Erenshor is preparing for its largest update yet, titled The Planar March, which introduces raids with tiered bosses and transmog loot. This update adds four new zones, over 20 boss fights, and more than 130 new items, significantly expanding the game's scope and offering an estimated 30-60 hours of new content. The update also features a guild system with NPC allies that players can command, mimicking a traditional MMORPG raiding experience.
Review: LumenTale: Memories Of Trey (Switch) - A Refreshing, If Jarring, Take On Black & White-Era Pokémon
LumenTale: Memories of Trey is a monster-collecting RPG for the Nintendo Switch that pays homage to Pokémon Black and White with its HD-2D art style and creature designs. While it offers a compelling narrative and engaging mechanics like a shared SP system and hidden weaknesses, the experience is hampered by frustrating controls, slow menus, and performance issues including crashes. Despite these flaws, the game's mature themes and unique take on the genre make it a worthwhile spin for RPG fans.
'For Spyro: A Realm Beyond, we are very much focused on making it an accessible adventure' — Toys for Bob wants the next Spyro game to be an 'approachable entry' in the series
Toys for Bob is focusing on making Spyro: A Realm Beyond an accessible and approachable adventure for both new and returning players, differentiating it from the more 'hardcore' mechanics of Crash Bandicoot 4. The studio aims to emphasize discovery and exploration, ensuring the game is an inviting entry point into the Spyro series.
Adventures of Elliot producer ‘surprised’ fans believe fairy companion talks too much
The producer of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales expressed surprise that some fans find the fairy companion talks too much. The HD-2D title is set to release soon on Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
Alien: Isolation 2 creative director confirms the sequel will draw inspiration from the original movie — 'Authenticity is the lens we do everything through'
Creative Assembly's Al Hope confirmed that Alien: Isolation 2 will take place months after the original game and will draw inspiration from the first Alien movie, emphasizing authenticity in its design. The sequel is in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, aiming to expand the universe while staying true to the spirit of the original film.
Little Nightmares III The Backstage DLC Day One Takeaways
The Backstage DLC for Little Nightmares III transforms a twisted carnival into a deeply unsettling and creepy location, building on the series' tradition of making ordinary places feel wrong. The DLC excels with its oppressive atmosphere, detailed sound design, rewarding exploration, balanced puzzles, and unpredictable creature encounters. Visually, it stands out as one of the best areas in the series, effectively contrasting bright carnival imagery with dark horror elements.
