Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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How Do You Follow The Perfect Platformer? N+ Devs Think They Have The Answer
Metanet Software is shifting focus for its next N+ title, N+ Infinity Times Two, from single-player platforming to a robust multiplayer experience. Developers Mare Sheppard and Raigan Burns believe they cannot improve upon the core N++ formula and are instead exploring new multiplayer modes, including competitive and cooperative options, while retaining the series' signature minimalistic style and challenging gameplay. The game is slated for a 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with public playtests planned beforehand.
SGF 2026: Getting A First Look At Crossfire—Breaking The All Rules
That's No Moon revealed a reimagined Crossfire during Summer Game Fest 2026, showcasing innovations in stealth-action gameplay. Creative Director Taylor Kurosaki and Game Director Jacob Minkoff highlighted "Adaptive Cover," a system utilizing Unreal Engine 5 to create more organic cover mechanics and a "blood pressure based" damage model for high lethality combat. The game is available to wishlist on Steam.
Chronicles Medieval's biggest battles will test whether you're "the sort of lord that men want to die for"
Raw Power Games provided an in-depth look at the large-scale medieval battles featured in their upcoming game, Chronicles: Medieval. Senior Game Designer Gareth Bourn and Community Lead Clemens Koch detailed how players will command hundreds of soldiers, manage unit morale, and influence battles through their own combat prowess. The game, which blends RPG elements with sandbox storytelling, is set to launch into early access on Steam in 2026 and will feature modding support from the ground up.
After 14 years, Guild Wars 3 is finally coming as "a modern evolution of the MMO" – and its beta opens…
ArenaNet has officially announced Guild Wars 3, a modern evolution of the MMORPG genre, during Summer Game Fest. The game is set over a thousand years before the original Guild Wars and will feature deep character customization and skill-building gameplay. A beta is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027, with sign-ups available now.
"A new hunting ground for the ultimate apex predator" - Alien: Isolation 2 gets its first proper trailer
The first trailer for Alien: Isolation 2 has been released, confirming a new colony world setting and a return to the first-person survival horror gameplay of its predecessor. Creative director Al Hope discussed the new planet Kurosaki Station, a hunting ground for the xenomorph, and the game's blend of claustrophobic interiors and exposed landscapes.
Crossfire was the most surprising game reveal I've attended in years
That's No Moon, a studio with talent from Naughty Dog, is developing a single-player, third-person tactical shooter titled Crossfire, backed by South Korean publisher Smilegate. Despite sharing a name with Smilegate's existing FPS, this new Crossfire focuses on a cinematic, story-driven experience with milsim elements like high lethality and manual reloading, featuring adaptive cover and a unique first-person reticle projection.
It was always the plan to make a Dylan-focused game, says Control Resonant art director, but creating a 'high level' world came first — 'We create the world, and then there are opportunities to have these different lenses into it, or different stories'
Remedy Entertainment's art director Elmeri Raitanen confirmed that a game focused on Dylan was always part of the plan for the Control franchise, with the world-building of the first game serving as a foundation. Control Resonant, launching September 24 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, will explore Dylan's perspective, offering a symmetrical narrative to Jesse's in the original Control.
Remedy says Control Resonant's shapeshifting weapon was conceptualized for the first game when it considered enabling Jesse's gun to turn into a sword — 'We really needed to make sure that this is something that works and is fun on a very visceral level'
Remedy Entertainment discusses the development of Control Resonant's melee-focused combat, emphasizing the need for a visceral and fun experience. The idea for a shapeshifting melee weapon originated during the development of the original Control, with the concept being refined for Dylan's character in the new game.
I was worried Control Resonant wouldn't be Control enough, but then I got lost in an infinite bedroom dimension
Remedy Entertainment's upcoming game, Control Resonant, shifts from the original Control's gameplay to a character action style featuring combos and skill trees, with Dylan Faden as the protagonist. While an early demo initially felt less like Control, later sections, including a surreal dimension of infinite bedrooms and a challenging boss fight, showcased Remedy's signature atmosphere and design, offering hope that the game will retain the series' unique identity.
Control Resonant is how video games should be done
Control Resonant, developed by Remedy Entertainment, blends familiar RPG elements like skill trees and resource gathering with unique gameplay mechanics such as wall-running combat and surreal environmental design. The game stars Dylan Faden, Jesse's brother, as an antihero navigating a distorted New York, and aims to push the boundaries of typical triple-A game design with creative risks.
Guild Wars 3 announced
NCSOFT and ArenaNet have announced Guild Wars 3, the next installment in the MMORPG series, currently in development for Windows PC and PlayStation 5. Guild Wars 3 Game Director Colin Johanson stated the game aims to push the MMORPG genre forward with innovative experiences. Set over a thousand years before the original game, players will become Vaelwardens protecting the land of Orr and its spirits, featuring deep character customization and a combat system designed for both controller and keyboard.
Simultaneously 2D and 3D, You've Never Played a PS5 Game Like Screenbound Before
Screenbound, an upcoming indie game for PlayStation 5, features a unique gameplay mechanic where players navigate both 2D and 3D environments simultaneously using an in-game "Q Boy" device. The game is set to release on September 10, 2026, and showcases worlds inspired by platformers and action-adventure genres.
Alien Isolation 2 claustrophobic new trailer promises pure terror 12 years after the Xbox 360 survival horror classic
A new trailer for Alien: Isolation 2 was revealed at Summer Game Fest 2026, showcasing claustrophobic environments and the terrifying Xenomorph. The sequel to the 2014 survival horror classic is in development by Creative Assembly and will be available on Xbox, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Art director Ana Sopikova described the Xenomorph as an "unkillable, relentless alien" that players will encounter on Kurosaki Station.
One of the Best 2D Platformers Returns in 2027 with a Focus on Online Multiplayer
Metanet Software has announced N Plus Infinity Times Two, a new 2D platformer set to release on PlayStation 5 in 2027. The game will focus heavily on online and local multiplayer modes, including co-op and competitive options, alongside a solo campaign. This new entry builds upon the legacy of the N series, known for its slick movement and challenging gameplay.
God of War Laufey director says Marvel humor won't infect the series through the big, silly cube: "He's…
Ariel Lawrence, director for the upcoming God of War Laufey, addressed concerns that the new companion character Phranque might introduce unwelcome humor akin to Marvel films. Lawrence clarified that Phranque's earnestness is integral to his character and that his role is to help Faye understand the world's current state, not to be a comedic relief. The developers aim to treat Phranque as a serious companion, similar to how levity was handled with characters like the Huldra brothers in previous God of War titles.
MIMESIS WINS EXCELLENCE AWARD IN GAME DESIGN AT JAPAN’S CEDEC AWARDS 2026
The co-op horror game MIMESIS, developed by KRAFTON's ReLU Games, has won the Excellence Award in Game Design at the CEDEC Awards 2026 in Japan. This marks the first time a Korean original IP has received this award, recognizing the game's innovative use of AI as a core gameplay mechanic. MIMESIS has also achieved significant commercial success, selling over one million copies globally within 50 days of its Early Access launch.
Massively Overthinking: What’s the next best thing to your favorite MMORPG?
The Massively OP staff discusses where players might migrate if their favorite MMORPGs were to shut down. Contributors share personal experiences of losing beloved games like City of Heroes and Star Wars Galaxies, and explore whether direct replacements are sought or if players move to different genres entirely. The consensus leans towards players finding games with familiar elements rather than exact replicas, or embracing a more transient gaming experience.
Casually Classic: Five MMOs other than WoW Classic that deliver that old school feel
This article explores several Massively Multiplayer Online games that capture the old-school feel reminiscent of World of Warcraft Classic. Titles like Old School RuneScape, EverQuest Legends, Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, Embers Adrift, and Project Gorgon are highlighted for their embrace of legacy game design principles, challenging gameplay loops, and community-focused experiences.
Palworld underwater update "literally is never happening," lead reiterates: "Make your peace with that…
Pocketpair has definitively stated that an underwater update for Palworld is not planned and "literally is never happening." Lead of publishing and communications, John Buckley, explained that the game's architecture, built in Unreal Engine 5, would require massive restructuring, making it unfeasible for the current title. While not impossible for a potential sequel, players are advised to accept its absence in Palworld.
God of War Laufey is "every bit as God of War as all of the things that we've done," director Ariel Lawrence says: "I hope to win over the skeptics in the future"
Director Ariel Lawrence states that God of War Laufey, which stars Faye, is as much a God of War game as previous entries, focusing on intimate stories within an epic mythological world. While the game can be enjoyed standalone, playing God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök is recommended for full appreciation of the narrative and world.
