Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
I couldn't love Dark Souls or Bloodborne, but Phantom Blade Zero is the action RPG I wanted them to be
Despite not being a Soulslike, Phantom Blade Zero shares many visual and environmental similarities with the genre, but differentiates itself with fast-paced, combo-driven combat and more forgiving gameplay. The author found the game's approach to be more accessible and enjoyable than traditional Soulslikes, offering the worldbuilding and storytelling without the punishing difficulty.
The Real Beginner’s Guide to EVE Online—Advice From The Capsuleers Who Have Seen It All
This guide offers advice for new EVE Online players from veteran players and developers, emphasizing the importance of community and not fearing failure. Fenris Creations is introducing 'Exordium,' a new starter zone launching in summer 2026, designed to be a safe, PvP-disabled area where new players can learn the game's mechanics and connect with others at a similar skill level.
Trots hyllningarna – Forza Horizon måste våga mer
Despite critical acclaim and commercial success, Forza Horizon 6 is criticized for relying too heavily on its established formula, drawing parallels to repetitive franchises like Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed. The article urges developer Playground Games to take more risks and innovate to avoid player fatigue, even as the game achieves record-breaking player numbers for Xbox.
RPG legend Josh Sawyer says Obsidian doesn't hate Baldur's Gate 3-style romance, "it's more that it is not typically the wheelhouse we have operated in"
Obsidian Entertainment's Josh Sawyer explained that the studio doesn't typically include extensive romance options in its RPGs due to the significant time investment required and tonal considerations. While not opposed to romance in games, Sawyer clarified that Obsidian's focus has historically been elsewhere, differentiating their approach from titles like Baldur's Gate 3.
Bubsy 4D combines Super Mario Odyssey-style platforming with '90s flair for a rare, perfectly sized game
Bubsy 4D, developed by Fabraz, offers a focused and enjoyable platforming experience reminiscent of '90s mascots and Super Mario Odyssey. Despite its shorter length and budget price, the game's tight controls and creative move chaining make it a compelling adventure. It is available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
It’s 2026 and Dune Awakening is trying to convince everyone that it’s not an MMORPG again
Funcom's Joel Bylos continues to debate whether Dune Awakening should be classified as an MMORPG, suggesting the term was initially used for convenience. This stance contradicts previous descriptions and discussions, including comparisons to Star Wars Galaxies, and is met with skepticism by players familiar with the genre's history and diverse progression systems beyond questing.
Subnautica 2 could become a chilling horror game, if only it would shut up
Subnautica 2 has the potential to be a brilliant horror and survival game, but its narrative structure, heavily reliant on audio logs and AI companions, undermines the sense of isolation and discovery. While the game excels in environmental storytelling and atmosphere, the constant exposition from audio logs and the AI 'NoA' prevents players from truly experiencing the mystery and tension. Unknown Worlds' over-reliance on explicit narrative delivery hinders the game's ability to let players piece things together on their own terms.
As someone who was all-in on Destiny, I'm gutted to see where we are now
The author expresses deep disappointment regarding the end of active development for Destiny 2, a game they have played since its initial release. They lament the perceived mismanagement and squandered potential of the franchise, contrasting it with the rich world-building and sense of possibility from its early days. Bungie is now shifting its focus to the development of Marathon.
"Old-school classic" or "the post-Shadows Assassin's Creed"? Black Flag Resynced devs explain where the remake sits in the series' history
Ubisoft developers discuss Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, emphasizing its status as an "old-school, classic Assassin's Creed" remake that stays faithful to the original's intentions while adding modern features and eight hours of new story content. The team focused on seamless integration and modernizing mechanics, aiming to create an authentic yet fresh experience that aligns with the series' current direction.
NEW CO-OP FANTASY/HORROR "BLACKROOTS" IS ANNOUNCED
Dizzy Games announced Blackroots, a debut co-op fantasy horror game set to release in Q2 2027. Players will work together or alone to fight a dark force known as Ul'vorran, purging corruption and breaking pacts. The game will feature Story Mode and Purge Mode, along with mechanics like player sanity and a 'Madness Maze'.
Path of Exile 2 patch notes are here, and you've got one week to choose your new build
Grinding Gear Games has released the patch notes for Path of Exile 2's upcoming 'Return of the Ancients' league, detailing significant changes to endgame systems, crafting, and core mechanics like Energy Shield recovery and Leech. The update aims to provide a more rounded experience and easier transition for new players. The patch is scheduled to launch on May 29, with the game's 1.0 version expected by the end of 2026.
Why Ubisoft Returned to Black Flag: ‘There’s Great Value With the Classic Assassin’s Creed Experience’
The director of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag believes there is significant value in the classic Assassin's Creed formula. Recreating this experience on modern hardware required the development of entirely new tools for land, naval, and underwater gameplay.
"If they turn off, they might not be able to turn them on again": The charming reason behind Dawn of War 4's excitable, dancing mech
Dawn of War 4's creative director Jan Theysen explained that the Adeptus Mechanicus mechs are designed to constantly move due to a lore-based fear of them being unable to power back on if stopped. This led to the development team implementing a 'stamping and walking on the spot' animation for the units in the game. The article also touches on the lore behind the Ironstrider mechs and the challenges of depicting Titan drops in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
The Evolution of Rewards in Xbox Games
The evolution of reward systems in Xbox games has transformed the player experience from simple scorekeeping to complex progression systems involving skins, achievements, and seasonal unlocks. Mechanics like random rewards and prestige systems, exemplified by franchises like Halo and Call of Duty, have significantly increased player engagement and shaped modern gaming culture.
How Play Became Part of Everyday Life
Gaming has evolved from a niche hobby into a mainstream cultural activity enjoyed across various platforms including consoles, mobile devices, and PCs. The industry's growth is driven by diverse player motivations, the accessibility of mobile gaming, the rise of esports, and the interactive nature of game narratives. While offering numerous benefits like improved cognitive skills and social connection, the article also cautions about potential risks of excessive play and emphasizes the importance of balance and respect for player time and money in game design.
All The Winners From The 2026 Canadian Game Awards
The 2026 Canadian Game Awards celebrated excellence in the Canadian video game industry, with South of Midnight taking home Game of the Year and Best Art Direction. Digital Extremes was awarded Studio of the Year, while Victor Lucas received the Game Changer Award and Femme Gaming won the Community Award.
Hideo Kojima’s wildest prediction from Death Stranding recently came true
Hideo Kojima's prediction from Death Stranding, involving a character named Heartman and a peculiar heart condition, has seemingly come true. The article briefly touches upon this observation without providing further details on the nature of the prediction or its fulfillment.
Evening Postmortems/Retrospectives
Transistor is considered the best game developed by the team behind Hades, even years after its release. The article likely analyzes the design choices and lasting impact of Transistor compared to the studio's other acclaimed titles.
Crimson Desert’s Post-Launch Evolution Is Unlike Anything Else This Year
Crimson Desert is evolving its post-launch support by implementing frequent updates that address player feedback and enhance the game world, effectively creating a hybrid live-service experience without traditional microtransactions. The developer is prioritizing responsiveness to player complaints and is considering future content expansions, including DLC, to further develop the game.
ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies Interview – Disco Elysium Roots, Spy Story RPG, New Gameplay Systems, And More
ZA/UM's Siim Sinamäe and Justin Keenan discuss ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies, an RPG inspired by Disco Elysium but with a new spycraft theme. They detail new gameplay systems like 'Pressures' and 'Exertion,' emphasizing player agency and the consequences of both success and failure in its espionage narrative.
