Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Hearts of Iron IV Devs Ask Players: Should Achievements Be Easier? | HappyGamer
Paradox Interactive is surveying Hearts of Iron IV players to gather feedback on potential changes to the game's achievement system. The survey asks whether Iron Man mode and the use of mods should still be required for earning achievements. This discussion comes as the game receives new DLC and prepares for future content drops, with the developer seeking community input on accessibility and the meaning of achievements.
Tokyo Scramble Update 1.0.3 Improves Difficulty Balance, Zino Behavior, and Adds New Tutorial Visuals
Binary Haze Interactive has released update 1.0.3 for Tokyo Scramble on Nintendo Switch, focusing on difficulty balance, Zino enemy behavior, and tutorial visuals. The update addresses player feedback regarding progression and clarity in the survival game, which launched on February 11, 2026.
Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta launch trailer – action RPG upgraded on Nintendo Switch
Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta has launched on Nintendo Switch with a new trailer. This updated version of the action RPG features enhanced visuals and offers players the choice between the original soundtrack or a newly arranged musical score. The game continues the story after Ys X and introduces a tag-team combat system and a robust mapping system for exploration.
Bungie Reveals Official DualSense Edge Settings For Marathon | HappyGamer
Bungie has released official PlayStation DualSense Edge controller settings for their upcoming game Marathon. These detailed optimizations focus on enhancing gameplay through precise button mapping and trigger adjustments, reflecting the game's tactical design. While praised by some for offering a competitive edge, concerns have been raised about potential accessibility issues for players without the premium hardware.
Diablo 4 needs "aspirational content" to challenge players, director agrees, but don't discredit more…
Diablo 4 associate game director Zaven Haroutunian agrees that the game needs "aspirational content" but believes it should not be the sole focus. He stated that the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion aims to provide players with opportunities to set their own goals, catering to various player types and motivations.
The Witcher 3 director says Crimson Desert clearly isn't "story heavy," but it "can achieve totally different emotions" by focusing on exploration and "RPG things"
Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of The Witcher 3, believes Crimson Desert achieves emotional depth through exploration and "RPG things" rather than a heavy story. He notes the industry's return to diverse game experiences, reminiscent of the '90s, and expresses his passion for creating RPGs as art.
'Wow, that was quick': Resident Evil Requiem devs thought it would take 2 weeks to crack the Final Puzzle, but…
Developers at Capcom were surprised by how quickly players solved the 'Final Puzzle' in Resident Evil Requiem, with the team expecting it to take at least two weeks. Director Akifumi Nakanishi noted that a similar puzzle in Resident Evil 7's demo was solved in half a day, but this latest challenge, which involved complex steps like a timed grinder sequence and flushing a toilet multiple times, was datamined and solved within four days.
The Blood of Dawnwalker lets you complete areas in any order, kill any NPCs you like, and still complete the game after failing every quest: 'We're giving even more freedom to players'
Rebel Wolves' upcoming RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker, aims to offer unprecedented player freedom, allowing players to complete the game even after failing quests or killing NPCs. Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz and creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz explain that the game's structure, inspired by classic RPGs like Fallout, ensures progression is always possible regardless of player choices. The game is set to launch on September 3, 2026.
Old School Runescape Leagues' regional restrictions have only fueled my love for Varlamore
The author expresses a newfound appreciation for the Varlamore region in Old School RuneScape, largely due to the restrictions imposed by the game's limited-time Leagues mode. This mode, which offers accelerated progression and limited area access, has encouraged exploration of Varlamore's content and skills in ways not typically experienced on a main account.
Windrose players are getting destroyed by alpha wolves, so like all survival game experts, they've come up with a plan: "Walking on the ground is for suckers"
Players of the pirate survival game Windrose are struggling with the difficulty posed by Alpha Wolves, particularly in the early game. To overcome these challenges, some players have resorted to building elevated "SkyWays" to avoid ground-based enemies. This creative solution highlights the current difficulty curve in the game, which may be addressed in future patches.
I've seen 90 minutes more of The Blood of Dawnwalker and I'm excited - could this be 2026's breakout RPG?
The Blood of Dawnwalker, an upcoming dark fantasy RPG from Rebel Wolves, showcases a confident and sophisticated approach to gameplay and narrative. Led by former CD Projekt Red director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the game features a unique 'narrative sandbox' structure where players shape their own story within a 30-day time limit, playing as a vampire with distinct human and vampire forms and abilities. The preview highlights the game's mature themes, open-ended questing, and a combat system that blends directional attacks with vampiric powers, aiming to offer a fresh experience in the RPG genre.
Talking Point: Is Legend Of Zelda's Link Left Or Right-Handed? Let's Look At The Evidence
The dominant hand of Link, the hero of The Legend of Zelda series, has been a subject of debate among fans for decades. While Link was predominantly left-handed in early titles, including the original The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, later games like Twilight Princess (Wii version), Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom have featured him as right-handed. This shift is often attributed to design choices related to motion controls and controller layouts, though the character's ambidexterity remains a point of discussion.
Only 40% of players switched to third person during Grace's parts in Resident Evil Requiem: 'There are clear differences in this data depending on the platform and region'
Director Akifumi Nakanishi revealed that only 40% of Resident Evil Requiem players switched to third-person perspective during Grace's sections, compared to 90% for Leon's. Data shows regional and platform differences, with Japanese players preferring third-person and PC players favoring first-person. Producer Masato Kumazawa attributes this to player familiarity with game genres.
Bad Robot Games Reveals Scanner Boss That Turns Maps Into Deadly Laser Mazes | HappyGamer
Bad Robot Games has revealed details about the 'Scanner' boss in their upcoming co-op shooter 4:Loop. This boss transforms the entire map into a deadly, tightening laser grid, forcing players to coordinate movement and spatial awareness rather than just focusing on damage. Game Director Mike Booth highlighted this innovative design as a way to push beyond traditional boss mechanics and create unique cooperative challenges.
Choose My Adventure: The Division 2 could just be the shooter game I’ve been looking for
The author explores their experience with The Division 2, finding it potentially fills the multiplayer shooter niche they've been seeking. They discuss experimenting with different abilities and playstyles, ultimately concluding that while not a game they'd grind extensively, it offers satisfying gunplay for when the urge strikes.
Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Won't Judge You If You're Horny
The latest Tomodachi Life's lax text filtering allows players to engage in discussions about sexual topics, reflecting a complex online environment of both permissiveness and restriction. Despite Nintendo's family-friendly image, the game's design, particularly its lack of easy sharing features, creates a private space where players can explore humor and intimacy without immediate external judgment.
UNSEALED: THE MARE RECEIVES POST-LAUNCH UPDATE
Independent developer Gamhalla has released a post-launch update for their PC game Unsealed: The Mare on Steam. The update introduces gameplay refinements, expanded lore with environmental storytelling and a lore journal, and improved puzzle readability. To celebrate, the game is available at a 35% discount.
Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt is officially dead. I should be sad, but instead, I'm just thankful for the memories
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt, a World of Darkness battle royale game developed by Sharkmob, has officially shut down after a four-year run. Despite its struggles with player count and balance issues, the author reflects fondly on the game's gorgeous visuals, smooth parkour mechanics, and deep character customization, highlighting the positive memories and community it fostered.
Review: Monster Crown: Sin Eater (Switch) - A Satisfyingly Deep And Open-Ended Pokémon-Like
Monster Crown: Sin Eater is a satisfying sequel to the 2021 monster-catching RPG, offering a deeper narrative and refined gameplay mechanics. The game features a unique monster-catching system, robust breeding and fusion, and an open-ended world design, though it occasionally lacks direction. Its charming 8-bit visuals and eccentric chiptune soundtrack complement the mature themes and engaging combat.
It's hard to say whether Final Fantasy 14's new combat will be a win or a flop, but I'm just happy to see…
Final Fantasy 14 is set to introduce significant combat system changes with the upcoming Evercold expansion, aiming to move away from the rigid two-minute meta. Director Naoki Yoshida announced the shift towards an 'Evolved mode' combat style, which will condense rotations and offer more flexibility. While the changes are intended to revitalize gameplay, there is apprehension within the community about the potential impact on difficulty and individuality.
