Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced’s New Scenes “Add Depth” to Edward Kenway, Says Actor
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake launching July 9th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, will feature new scenes that add depth to the character of Edward Kenway, according to voice actor Matt Ryan. While the core story remains faithful to the 2013 original, the remake includes enhanced visuals, dynamic weather, new islands, and expanded accessibility options.
Luna Abyss Interview – Inspirations, Gameplay, Narrative, Console Performance, and More
Kwalee Labs developers Hollie Emery, Benni Hill, and John Reynolds discuss their upcoming game Luna Abyss, a narrative-focused bullet hell shooter. Inspirations include Nier: Automata, BLAME!, and Metroid Prime, with a focus on unique environments and fluid combat. The game targets 1920x1080 resolution and 60 framerates across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X, with upscaling used for Series S and Steam Deck.
Don't expect to kill fish in a future Subnautica 2 patch: 'You are here to exist on this planet, not to…
Unknown Worlds developers have stated that players are not intended to kill wildlife in Subnautica 2, emphasizing a theme of coexistence rather than domination. While tools exist to repel creatures, the studio aims to maintain tension and a sense of the player not mastering the world, a lesson learned from player behavior in the original Subnautica.
Why the Quiet Card Game Is Making a Comeback - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
The classic card game Solitaire is experiencing a resurgence as people seek simpler, less intrusive digital pastimes. Unlike modern apps with constant notifications and infinite feeds, Solitaire offers a finite, low-stakes experience that promotes a 'flow state' and provides mental restoration. This comeback is attributed to a desire for calm engagement and a rejection of attention-demanding software, with even Microsoft's early inclusion of the game in Windows contributing to its widespread adoption.
Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight Is The Best Lego Game In Years
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is praised for its fresh take on the Lego formula, blending influences from various Batman media into an original story. The game successfully recaptures the glory days of licensed Lego titles by focusing on character mechanics, a deep collect-a-thon system, and combat inspired by the Arkham series, though stealth elements are noted as weaker.
Ken Levine says he had to leave Bioshock behind because 'things can own you if you hold them too tightly'
Ken Levine reflects on his career and the decision to move on from the BioShock franchise after the closure of Irrational Games. He discusses how he felt he had nothing more to say in that world and the importance of challenging himself with new projects like Judas, which he notes shares DNA with BioShock but is also radically different.
'They're Not Just Filler': Edward Actor Hypes Assassin's Creed: Black Flag's New Story Scenes
Matt Ryan, the voice actor for Edward Kenway, expresses excitement for the new story content in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, stating that the additional scenes add depth to the character and narrative. The remake is set to release on July 9th for PlayStation 5, featuring expanded plot elements and character-driven moments.
A former SWTOR lead once proposed a top-down revamp that was shot down by EA
Former Star Wars: The Old Republic lead designer James Ohlen proposed a significant reboot of the MMORPG, titled Star Wars: The New Republic, which would have shifted the game's timeline. The proposal was ultimately rejected by Electronic Arts' board of directors, who were hesitant to invest further after the initial $300 million development cost.
Wisdom of Nym: How different will tanks and melee DPS jobs be in Final Fantasy XIV’s Evolved mode?
This analysis speculates on how Evolved Mode in Final Fantasy XIV will alter existing tank and melee DPS jobs. It examines Paladin, Warrior, Gunbreaker, Dark Knight, Dragoon, Ninja, Reaper, Monk, Samurai, Viper, and Pictomancer, predicting which will feel similar and which will undergo significant changes due to the new system.
Don't Worry, Dawnwalker's Got a Range of Difficulty Options Despite Its Hardcore RPG Design
The Blood of Dawnwalker, a hardcore RPG from Rebel Wolves, will feature four difficulty settings: Story, Normal, Duelist, and Nightmare. Additional customization options will allow players to tweak elements like damage values and health pools. The game is scheduled for a PlayStation 5 release on September 3rd.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies review – The game that came in from the cold
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is a narrative-driven game that explores the complexities of spy fiction, drawing comparisons to Disco Elysium. Players step into the shoes of Hershel Wilk, a former spy called back into service, navigating a world of mystery, dialogue, and psychological stats like Fatigue, Anxiety, and Delirium. Despite its similarities to Disco Elysium and the challenges presented by its mechanics, the game is praised for its writing and engaging gameplay loop, making it a worthwhile experience that encourages replayability.
Subnautica 2 devs say no to killing in their survival game, modders respond with add-on that lets you shoot fish anyway
Unknown Worlds, the developer of Subnautica 2, has stated a strong commitment to non-violent gameplay, which has been met with community discussion. Despite the developers' stance, players have already created mods that reintroduce the ability to kill creatures in the game. This design choice contrasts with other survival titles like Sons of the Forest.
A Tourist’s Guide to Forza Horizon 6, From A Designer’s Perspective
Forza Horizon 6 Design Director Torbern Ellert and Art Director Don Arceta discuss the creation of the game's recreation of Japan, highlighting iconic locations like Nachi Falls, Ruriko-ji Temple, and Tokyo City. They detail how real-world landmarks were adapted for gameplay accessibility while preserving their essence, and mention the role of cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita in ensuring authenticity. The game launches May 19 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Cloud, with day one availability on Xbox Game Pass.
Zero Parades is a beautiful Disco Elysium follow-up, but not a very good spy game
Zero Parades, the follow-up to Disco Elysium from developer ZA/UM, is a text-heavy isometric RPG that struggles to commit to its espionage theme. While it features a beautiful world, upgraded UI, and interesting mechanics like fatigue and conditioning, its narrative approach often undermines the spy gameplay. The game's protagonist, Hershel Wilk, is more interested in personal angst than covert operations, leading to a disconnect between the game's mechanics and its stated genre.
'We are not a killing game,' says Subnautica 2 dev: 'Go play Sons of the Forest or something if you want…
A developer for Subnautica 2 stated that the game is not intended to be a "killing game" and suggested players seeking violent gameplay should look to titles like Sons of the Forest. The developer, from Unknown Worlds, also expressed enthusiasm for updating the game towards its 1.0 release, emphasizing the creation of a world focused on existing with nature rather than dominating it.
The Adventures of Elliot’s development team has quietly been mastering the modern minigame, and its latest action-RPG once again shows us how it’s done
The development team behind Square Enix's upcoming The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, led by director Tomaya Asano, demonstrates a mastery of integrating compelling minigames into RPGs. This approach, also seen in titles like Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler, enhances the overall player experience by adding meaningful, often challenging, side activities that complement the main gameplay loop.
Adventures Of Elliot Shows How Flexible HD-2D Can Be
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales demonstrates the flexibility of the HD-2D art style beyond RPGs, applying it to the action-adventure genre. A demo showcased the game's ability to switch between time periods, offering freedom in its open world and featuring combat enhancements like weapon variety and Magicite buffs. The game aims to build upon classic action-adventure titles with modern twists.
Meet Seed, the planet-sized society simulator
Seed is a new society simulation game from Klang Games aiming to simulate an entire planet with tens of thousands of persistent, semi-autonomous inhabitants called Seedlings. Players will shape the economy, laws, and relationships, with the game leveraging generative AI for deeper interactions. The game is set to launch in early access this summer on PC, with a Steam release to follow.
The Gaming Features Players Actually Care About in 2026
Players increasingly prioritize practical features like fast withdrawals, mobile usability, and efficient search functions over flashy design and oversized bonuses in online gaming platforms. Transparency in operations, including clear terms and conditions and cryptocurrency support, is becoming standard. The industry's shift reflects a growing demand for convenience and player control, moving away from surface-level marketing towards a more holistic and trustworthy user experience.
Canadian Gamers Are Bringing Sports Style Prediction Habits Into Competitive Gaming
Canadian gamers are increasingly applying sports betting prediction habits to esports, driven by the growth of competitive gaming and accessible mobile play. Meanwhile, the design of mobile apps, including those for casinos, now heavily incorporates game-like pacing and reward systems to maintain user engagement. Separately, Nebraska is suing Roblox, alleging systemic failures to protect children from predators and deceptive marketing practices, a lawsuit echoed by other states and highlighting concerns about child safety in online gaming platforms.
