Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
Review: Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Switch 2)
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a charming action-adventure game that translates well to the Nintendo Switch. While the game could have benefited from better tutorials and an in-game map, its engaging combat, exploration, and stunning presentation make it a worthwhile experience. The Switch version includes all previously released DLC.
Arc Raiders' weapon durability changes are mystifying—especially when repairing guns is one of the least…
This article analyzes the recent changes to weapon durability in Embark Studios' Arc Raiders, arguing that the nerfs are confusing and counterproductive. The author questions the necessity of weapon attrition for all players and suggests alternative design choices that could better incentivize weapon upgrades and provide more interesting consequences for low durability.
Merging Games and Breaking the Fourth Wall: Belgian Studio Wins IGA 2026 Best Innovation Award - GameHaunt
Belgian studio Beeswax Games won the Best Innovation award at the Indie Game Award 2026 for their PC horror title, No Players Online. The game features a unique Soul Fusion system and an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) that blends in-game and real-world clues. Originally a 15-minute Game Jam test, the full release offers about three hours of gameplay exploring an abandoned PC.
Diablo 4: Lord Of Hatred's All-New Class Skill Trees Have Players Divided
The Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion and its accompanying 3.0 update have introduced new skill trees for each class, removing passive skills in favor of customizable active abilities. While some players praise the changes for adding replayability and new build possibilities, others criticize the limited mid-to-late game options and the removal of passive skills, leading to community division.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era isn't a reimagining or a divisive reinterpretation, it's just a brilliant…
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era has launched in early access, offering the first act of its campaign and a new take on the classic turn-based strategy formula. Developed by Unfrozen, the game aims to capture the spirit of Heroes of Might and Magic 3 with updated systems, new factions, and a distinct art style, while providing a comfortable and engaging experience for fans of the genre.
Merging Games and Breaking the Fourth Wall: Belgian Studio Scoops IGA 2026 Best Innovation Award
Belgian studio Beeswax Games' experimental horror title 'No Players Online' has won the Best Innovation award at the Indie Game Award 2026. The game, which evolved from a 2019 Game Jam hit, features a unique 'Soul Fusion Mechanic' and an intricate Alternate Reality Game component that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. The developers are currently working on a new chapter for the game.
Hidden Gems of Game Design Vol 47
This article highlights several lesser-known games deserving of attention, including the experimental phonetic adventure 'Ginger,' the six-degrees-of-freedom shooter 'Sublevel Zero Redux,' and the massive multiplayer online game 'PlanetSide 2.' Writers discuss their unique mechanics and appeal to niche audiences.
007 First Light Could Be 2026's Game Of The Year And The Best Bond Game Ever
007 First Light, developed by IO Interactive, aims to be the best James Bond game ever made by blending cinematic storytelling with the sandbox gameplay of the Hitman series. The preview highlights a mix of linear action sequences and open-ended stealth sections, featuring a younger James Bond navigating early missions with a combination of charm, gadgets, and combat.
Rude For Apex Legends To Tease Me With A Cool Battle Racer Idea Just For New Hero Reveal
Apex Legends Season 29, Overclocked, introduces a new hero named Axle, whose backstory involves a battle racer. While the game remains a battle royale, the developers discussed Axle's unique momentum-based movement abilities, differentiating her from existing legends like Octane. The season also includes a new respawn mechanic and buffs for Conduit and Vantage.
Invincible VS Review
Invincible VS offers a fun and deep 3v3 tag-team fighting game experience with smart mechanics inspired by Marvel vs. Capcom and Killer Instinct, but suffers from extremely thin single-player content. While the core combat is satisfying for competitive players, the story mode and arcade mode offer very little to engage casual players, making the $50 price point questionable despite the game's excellent presentation and voice acting.
Games Inbox: Will Marvel’s Wolverine be as good as Spider-Man 2?
Readers discuss the potential of Marvel's Wolverine compared to Marvel's Spider-Man 2, with concerns about its movement and gore. Other topics include the future of digital game distribution, the perceived audience for Steam Machines, and the implications of Nintendo's movie ventures. There's also commentary on game difficulty modifiers, the impact of Grand Theft Auto 6, and PlayStation's digital rights management.
Assassin's Creed doesn't need remakes, it needs a complete overhaul
This article argues that the Assassin's Creed franchise needs a creative overhaul rather than remakes, citing the upcoming Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced as an example of Ubisoft relying too heavily on past successes. The author suggests the series has become stagnant compared to modern games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and proposes radical shifts in setting or gameplay mechanics to revitalize the brand.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Gets Devblog Exploring the Story and Design of Sophia
Asobo Studio has released a new developer blog detailing the story and design of Sophia in their upcoming game, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. The blog, titled "Sophia's Story," explores her background, character development, and design choices, noting that the game is nearing completion and is scheduled for release later this year on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a day-one release on Game Pass.
15 Things We’d Love To See Added To Crimson Desert
This article outlines 15 desired additions and improvements for Crimson Desert, based on player feedback since its launch. Suggestions include gear transmog, more dedicated content for companions, better camera controls during boss fights, and enhanced navigation and reputation systems. The authors hope these features will be considered for future updates to enhance the player experience.
Roblox is pulling a DLSS 5, offering yet another example of a tool mistaking itself for an artist
Roblox has introduced Roblox Reality, an AI platform aiming to democratize photorealistic game creation by replacing basic graphics with hyperreal visuals. This move is criticized for potentially devaluing the creative process and mistaking realism for artistic merit, drawing parallels to Nvidia's DLSS 5 controversy. The article argues that while the cost of AAA game development is high, AI-generated graphics miss the essence of what makes games appealing and unique.
Quoteworthy
Developers of Slay the Princess suggest that video games could benefit from incorporating more 'suffering' into their design. Separately, Take-Two Interactive's CEO stated there are no announcements regarding an L.A. Noire sequel, but the company is always evaluating its existing IPs.
Is Overwatch 2 Toxic? An Honest Answer Backed by Data (2026) | TAG
Overwatch 2 exhibits a complex relationship with toxicity, showing low rates of identity-based harassment but a high prevalence of performance-shaming due to in-game stat visibility. While Blizzard's Defense Matrix program has implemented sophisticated moderation tools, the game's design, particularly the stat scoreboard and hero-locking culture, fosters blame and frustration. The article suggests that despite these issues, Overwatch 2 remains a safer competitive game than many others regarding direct harassment, with strategies like disabling chat and avoiding the scoreboard recommended for a better player experience.
Ex-Witcher Dev's Dawnwalker RPG Is 55-70 Hours Long, Despite the Game's 'Time Limit'
Rebel Wolves CEO Konrad Tomaszkiewicz has clarified that The Blood of Dawnwalker's "time limit" functions as a progression system rather than a strict rush mechanic, with consequences for running out of time but not necessarily a game over. Current playtests indicate the RPG will take between 55 and 70 hours to complete, featuring multiple endings and solutions.
Into the Depths of SAROS’ Carcosa with Housemarque
Housemarque's upcoming PlayStation 5 title, SAROS, is described as a spiritual successor to Returnal, featuring a dark science fiction narrative set on the corrupting planet Carcosa. Creative Director Gregory Louden and Art Director Simone Silvestri discussed the game's mechanics, including the 'eclipse' system that transforms the world and offers gameplay opportunities, as well as the ensemble cast, featuring actors like Jane Perry and Rahul Kohli.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced art changes raise concerns as fans question why a cutscene following a massive storm is now "bright and sunny for no reason"
Fans are expressing concern over changes in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, specifically a cutscene that originally depicted Edward Kenway sailing out of a massive storm now showing a bright, sunny sky. This alteration has led to questions about the remake's handling of atmospheric and story-critical environmental details, despite Ubisoft's promises of enhanced lighting and a new dynamic weather system.
