Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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I absolutely agree with 33% of you when it comes to your choice of freaky Subnautica 2 critters
A PC Gamer writer discusses the results of a poll on favorite creatures in Subnautica 2, agreeing with the majority's choice of the Periscopic Clowncrab. The article also touches on the game's episodic format and the differing opinions of other PC Gamer staff.
Bungie Reportedly Considered Relaunching Destiny as 'Destiny Infinity' Before Deciding to Pull the Plug on Destiny 2
Bungie reportedly considered relaunching its sci-fi shooter as 'Destiny Infinity' before deciding to cancel the project and focus on Destiny 2. Issues with the game's performance began around the time of the 'Edge of Fate' expansion, leading to the decision to pull the plug earlier this year.
Blizzard casually drops new StarCraft 2 update out of the blue, completely shaking up the classic RTS to the surprise of…
Blizzard Entertainment has released a significant new update for the 2010 real-time strategy game StarCraft 2, which fundamentally alters gameplay mechanics. The patch focuses on extending the early and mid-game experience, increasing strategic diversity across all races, and includes numerous quality-of-life improvements. Key changes include reducing starting workers, altering Warpgate research, and adjusting resource management.
The Daily Grind: What fantasy tropes are getting stale in MMOs and need a refresh?
This article discusses the overuse and staleness of common fantasy tropes in MMORPGs, using fantasy pirates as an example. It questions which tropes are becoming repetitive and how developers can creatively refresh them to feel new and engaging for players.
What We Played – Lego Batman, Mina the Hollower & 007: First Light
Several gaming outlets shared their recent playtime, including Lego Batman, 007: First Light, and Necrophosis. One writer expressed strong dislike for the Resident Evil series' puzzle design and bullet-sponge enemies, while another praised 007: First Light as their favorite game of the year. Diablo 4 and Guardians of the Galaxy were also discussed.
Hidden Gems of Game Design Vol 48
This article highlights lesser-known games, including 'Evolution of Ages: Settlements,' a city builder with RPG elements, and 'Celeste Classic,' the free PICO-8 precursor to the acclaimed platformer 'Celeste.' It also discusses 'Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Quest' for the Sega Genesis, comparing its design to modern narrative-driven games.
Zero Parades being an easier RPG than Disco Elysium makes perfect sense – and makes it more fun
Zero Parades offers a more accessible and enjoyable RPG experience compared to Disco Elysium by implementing more frequent autosaves and less punishing consequence systems. While Disco Elysium's philosophical depth and infrequent saves led to frustration for some players, Zero Parades' flexible character progression and do-overs make it a more forgiving and fun experience, tailored to its protagonist.
Modern Warfare 4 Trots Out the Same Messaging of Realistic Skins in Call of Duty
Infinity Ward has stated that all cosmetics and collaborations in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will remain grounded and tied to its narrative, which is inspired by real-world events. This messaging echoes previous Call of Duty titles that have failed to maintain this commitment, often leading to player frustration over unrealistic skins and celebrity collaborations.
Master of Chaos demo out now on Steam: Beat or Break the Game
The demo for Master of Chaos, a solo-developed action roguelite, is now available on Steam for PC and Steam Deck. The demo features engaging combat with counter mechanics, objective-driven runs, stackable projectile patterns, and a unique 'game break' win condition. The game is being developed by Johan Lind and incorporates feedback from community playtesters.
Crimson Desert’s new patch finally adds pets, controller remapping, and farming improvements – find out what else is new
Crimson Desert's latest update, version 1.09.00, is now available on PC and Mac, introducing full controller remapping, approximately 30 new collectible pet species, and farming improvements allowing seeds to be assigned directly to quickslots. The patch also includes combat adjustments, UI enhancements, visual fixes, and numerous stability improvements and bug fixes.
The Witcher 3 Songs of the Past is similar in scope to Blood & Wine and will be "a trip down memory lane"…
CD Projekt Red announced that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt expansion, Songs of the Past, will be a significant piece of content featuring Geralt as the protagonist before Ciri takes over in The Witcher 4. Developed in tandem with Fool's Theory, the expansion is slated for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and is expected to offer 20-30 hours of gameplay, similar in scope to Blood and Wine.
Games Inbox: Will Modern Warfare 4 save Call Of Duty?
Readers discuss the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with concerns that Activision is not taking enough time to address player dissatisfaction. Other topics include the potential for Persona 6 leaks to be AI-generated, the quality of movie-licensed games, and the rising cost of next-generation consoles.
The Witcher 3 – Songs of the Past Akin to Blood and Wine in Scope, New Sword is “Very Important”
CD Projekt RED has revealed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, will be comparable in scope to the Blood and Wine expansion. Community managers Laura Beitzel and Amelia Korzycka hinted at significant story elements tied to a specific sword and the Belleteyn festival. The expansion is slated for release in 2027 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with more details expected at Gamescom in August.
Why Crimson Desert Was Worth Restarting After Nearly 200 Hours
The author discusses their decision to restart Crimson Desert after a 200-hour playthrough, highlighting how significant updates to the game's combat, exploration, and economy have made a second playthrough appealing. They detail how new game mechanics and systems encourage a fresh approach to character builds and world interaction, making a new game plus experience more engaging than a typical one.
Forza Horizon 6 Has Mastered the Art of “One More Race”
Forza Horizon 6 masterfully blends its "one more race" addictive gameplay loop with a beautifully realized open world set in Japan. The game excels in its nuanced progression systems, rewarding exploration, and diverse activities, making the entire map feel alive and constantly engaging. Player agency in customizing the experience ensures accessibility for both casual and enthusiast racers, creating a celebration of automotive culture.
After the success of Lord of Hatred, Diablo 4 looks to be turning its back on the fun in its next season
Diablo 4's upcoming season 14 will overhaul its rarest 'Mythic Unique' items, shifting from guaranteed stats to a variant system with randomized stats. This change aims to address player complaints about item randomness from the previous season, but risks making the late-game loot chase overly reliant on luck and extensive grinding. Blizzard plans to test these changes on a Public Test Realm starting June 2.
Pragmata leads love when you say it feels like a PS3 game, because that was a time when "a lot of different developers and publishers were experimenting"
Capcom's Pragmata is drawing comparisons to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 era, which director Yonghee Cho and producer Naoto Oyama view as a compliment. They suggest this feeling stems from a time when developers were more experimental, a quality they aimed to replicate in Pragmata. The article also reflects on the broader trend of decreased experimentation in the AAA gaming industry compared to that earlier console generation.
4 years later, Infinity Ward reflects on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's controversial changes: 'It came at…
Infinity Ward developers reflect on the controversial gameplay changes introduced in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, such as stifled movement and minimap changes. They acknowledge that while intended to make the game more tactical, these changes came at the cost of player fun and fluidity. Learnings from Modern Warfare 2 and 3 have informed the development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, focusing on rebuilding mechanics for improved momentum and player control.
Everything is Gun! Rejects "Safe" Modern Shooters to Fuse Game-Breaking Isaac Synergies with Raw Unapologetic 90s Speed
Incineration Productions announced Everything is Gun!, a PC roguelike FPS launching in Q4 2027. The game aims to fuse the high-speed, skill-based gameplay of 90s shooters with the game-breaking synergies found in titles like The Binding of Isaac. Key features include uncapped momentum, Isaac-style weapon mutations, and asynchronous multiplayer revenge mechanics.
The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time, out today, wants you to figure out what the greatest RPG of all time really is
The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time, available on PC via Steam, is a game that explores the cultural impact and perception of what constitutes the greatest RPG. It features a Square Enix-inspired HD-2D art style and incorporates elements like the original game's manual, director's commentary, and documentary clips to prompt reflection on the nature of 'greatness' in games. The experience is designed to be short, lasting around 4-6 hours.
