Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Bravo Gaspar!: o espetáculo por trás do espetáculo — novo roguelike brasileiro revela os bastidores de sua criação
Epopeia Games has revealed details about the development of their new roguelike, Bravo Gaspar!, which blends narrative, performance, and manipulation. The game transforms each run into a theatrical act, with player failure and performance being central to the experience. The studio also highlighted their previous titles, Mullet MadJack and Gaucho and the Grassland.
Arc Raiders devs "still learning" what to do with PvP, but Embark design director says PvE fights are doing their job: "They make the player interactions even more impactful"
Embark Studios design director Virgil Watkins acknowledges that the studio is still learning how to best balance PvP and PvE elements in their upcoming multiplayer shooter, Arc Raiders. He believes that the unpredictable interactions between these systems are crucial for creating impactful player-driven stories and making combat encounters more meaningful.
007 First Light's Bond is more "relatable" than Hitman's Agent 47, says developer: "Rather than an object of absurd fascination, he's an object of emotional relation"
Developer IO Interactive aims to make James Bond in 007 First Light more relatable than Hitman's Agent 47 by focusing on his human emotions and charm. The game will feature direct jokes and funny observations, contrasting with the darker tone of Hitman. The article highlights the game's opening mission and its technical advancements using the Glacier 2 engine.
Resident Evil Requiem's director teases more Leon Kennedy: 'We could bring him back when he's 70'
Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi expressed openness to continuing Leon Kennedy's story into his 70s, emphasizing the character's enduring appeal. He also discussed Capcom's approach to aging characters in the series, stating there's no strict rule to replace established faces with younger ones. The article highlights Leon's blend of humor and seriousness in Requiem and the potential for future adventures.
Eerie visual novel Schrödinger's Call explores the pain and joy of relationships via phone calls to purgatory
Schrödinger's Call is an upcoming visual novel where players guide Mary, an amnesiac hotline operator for souls in purgatory, through phone calls to help them pass on. The game, inspired by developer Seishi Irimajiri's experiences during Covid-19 lockdowns, explores themes of loneliness and connection with a bittersweet tone. It features a unique sketchy pencil art style, dreamlike visual effects, and an emotive musical score, with a demo available on Steam.
A Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight interview with TT Games Cinematics Director Bob Scott
TT Games Cinematics Director Bob Scott discusses the narrative focus and fan service in the upcoming Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The game aims to balance mature themes with family-friendly humor, drawing inspiration from across Batman's 80-year history. It will release on May 22nd for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight hands-on report
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight offers a comedic yet respectful take on Batman's history, blending classic lore with modern influences. The game features a remix of iconic storylines, drawing inspiration from comics, TV, films, and other video games like the Batman: Arkham series. It will launch on PlayStation 5 on May 22 and supports both single-player and local co-op modes.
How The Team Behind Sniper Elite Uses A Few "Stupid" Tricks To Stand Out On Steam
Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley discusses how the studio behind Sniper Elite and Atomfall uses simple, descriptive game titles and focuses on delivering immediate gameplay experiences to stand out on Steam. He explains that controlling budgets and ambition, along with clear naming conventions, are crucial for self-funded studios competing in a crowded market. Kingsley also touches on the importance of the refund window and how it necessitates delivering on the game's core premise early in the player's experience.
Smash Bros. Ultimate set an impossible standard. So what comes next?
Following the immense success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, speculation is mounting about the direction of the next installment in the franchise, with rumors suggesting a potential 2027 release. While the game's massive roster set an unprecedented standard, discussions suggest future titles might need to focus on innovative gameplay mechanics and refined character designs rather than simply expanding the roster further.
The latest League of Legends patch preview tells me what I already knew about those alternative builds
League of Legends Lead Gameplay Designer Matt Leung-Harrison has previewed upcoming patch changes, discussing the viability of alternative character builds. While players are experimenting with off-meta builds like AP Ezreal and AP Irelia, the article suggests these builds are currently too weak and often result in a lower win rate, despite some players finding success with them.
Resident Evil Requiem's director admits they needed to raise the bar for their zombies to 'keep having that…
Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi discusses the design of the game's zombies, aiming to make them more unsettling by retaining human-like actions and memories. Producer Masato Kumazawa emphasizes the importance of pacing and tension in horror. The article also touches on the balance between fear and enjoyability for players.
Resident Evil Requiem producer says the negative reaction players had to Nvidia's DLSS 5 yassification of Grace Ashcroft was 'positive' because 'it meant we got the design right'
Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa stated that the negative player reaction to Nvidia's DLSS 5 'yassification' of Grace Ashcroft was positive, as it indicated the character's design was well-received and established her as a fan favorite. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang defended the use of generative AI in DLSS 5, emphasizing its role in content control rather than altering game art.
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto defends The Super Mario Galaxy Movie's fast pacing
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto defended the fast pacing of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, comparing its structure to his own game development philosophy of creating self-contained, enjoyable units. He believes Illumination's method of swapping and rearranging these units results in a dense and engaging experience, particularly for younger audiences.
Top 5: Best atmospheric horror games | Invision Game Community
This article highlights five atmospheric horror games that prioritize psychological tension and environmental storytelling over traditional action. Titles like The Backrooms Phenomenon, Cronos The New Dawn, Routine, Little Nightmares III, and The Lightkeeper are praised for their ability to create pervasive unease and fear through atmosphere, isolation, and a focus on the player's imagination.
Finlands humor är vår
Finnish game developers often lean into stereotypes of being stoic and creating challenging games, as seen in titles like Max Payne, Trials HD, and Returnal. However, a distinct sense of dark humor and self-awareness, exemplified by Remedy Entertainment's games, also characterizes their output. This blend of difficulty, dark comedy, and sometimes absurd situations creates a unique and beloved identity for Finnish game development.
Lords of the Fallen 2's Idea of Female Armour Is Downright Embarrassing
CI Games' upcoming Lords of the Fallen 2 features female armor designs that are criticized for being overly sexualized and impractical, resembling generic mobile game advertisements. This design choice is linked to the studio's stance against perceived "DEI elements" in gaming, as articulated by CEO Marek Tyminski and marketing director Ryan Hill.
Rumbral Review
Rumbral is a dark puzzle platformer that features a unique reality-shifting mechanic, allowing players to traverse between two worlds to solve puzzles. Despite its intriguing atmosphere and visual design, the game is criticized for its short runtime of around an hour, a lack of engaging story, and sluggish movement that hinders precise platforming.
How Online Pokies Quietly Borrowed Their Playbook From Video Games
Online pokies have increasingly adopted production values, design language, and progression mechanics from mainstream video games, a trend particularly evident in Australia due to high console ownership and gambling rates. This convergence includes cinematic intros, named characters, achievement systems, and procedural generation, blurring the lines between gambling and gaming. Regulators are examining this overlap, especially concerning mechanics like loot boxes in video games that share similarities with slot machine engagement.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight May Be The Arkham Successor We've Been Waiting For
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight aims to be a spiritual successor to the Batman Arkham series, featuring familiar combat and open-world traversal. TT Games has introduced difficulty settings, including a 'Dark Knight' mode that allows for failure and progress loss, a first for a Lego title. The game is set to release on May 22.
Games Inbox: Is Saros on PS5 a disappointment?
Readers discuss their experiences and opinions on recent games and industry trends. One reader expresses disappointment with Saros despite enjoying Returnal, citing repetitive environments and a less engaging skill tree. Another reader laments the lack of a new Star Wars Battlefront game and questions the direction of Star Wars games. Other topics include concerns about the longevity of game companies, the potential for Grand Theft Auto 6 to include subscription services, and the ongoing buzz around Resident Evil.
