Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Pantheon shares patch plans for enemy tagging and leashing, item tooltips, and BOE gear
Visionary Realms has outlined upcoming changes for Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, focusing on enemy tagging, item tooltips, and bind-on-equip gear. The patch, expected in spring, will also include combat and progression updates, with the public test server nearing completion and accessible to Steam players.
Rumor: Pokemon Winds and Waves map leaked, plus more
Rumors suggest a map leak for the upcoming Pokemon Winds and Waves, potentially originating from a past data breach at Game Freak. Leaks also indicate a new Rock/Psychic Pokemon, a prequel anime or flashbacks, a Poison-type Gym Leader who is an idol, and a Dragon/Poison Komodo dragon Pokemon. However, details about the games are not expected until 2027, and they are in development for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The Wilds of Dacrima gets May 2026 release on PC — MP3s & NPCs
Antler Studios' physics-based puzzle adventure, The Wilds of Dacrima: Field Notes from a Poorly Supervised Alchemist and His Unruly Clockwork Companion, is set to release on PC on May 12, 2026, via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game features a Victorian-inspired world where players use alchemy and a clockwork companion to navigate and solve puzzles. A demo is currently available on Steam.
Wisdom of Nym: Initial thoughts on the reveal of Final Fantasy XIV’s next expansion, Evercold
The upcoming Final Fantasy XIV expansion, Evercold, introduces a new "activity system" and "Evolved Mode" designed to streamline gameplay and offer new rewards. These changes aim to evolve the existing MMORPG systems without making current playstyles obsolete, addressing potential stagnation while maintaining the core Final Fantasy XIV experience.
Dosa Divas Review – Underbaked
Dosa Divas is a turn-based RPG with a 12-hour runtime that suffers from a lack of depth in its combat and a rushed ending. While the story features emotional depth and vibrant characters, key details are withheld until late in the game, diminishing their impact. The cooking minigames are a highlight, but the overall experience is hampered by shallow combat and stiff exploration.
Final Fantasy 14's promised 'public fields' redesign could fix complaints I've had about the MMO for…
This article discusses potential improvements to Final Fantasy XIV's open-world design, focusing on the 'Public Fields' and quests. The author expresses delight that Square Enix plans to address complaints about the beautiful but empty zones, drawing comparisons to dynamic events in World of Warcraft and Guild Wars 2. Director Naoki Yoshida has acknowledged the issue and promised more dynamic content and quest improvements.
Game Manuals Were Gaming's Golden Age, and We Threw It All Away | HappyGamer
This article reflects on the lost art of physical game manuals, contrasting them with modern digital tutorials and pop-ups. It argues that these detailed booklets, filled with lore and artwork, created a deeper player connection and anticipation that is missing in today's convenient but less ceremonious gaming landscape.
Assassin’s Creed Hexe Removes 50 Developers From Development
Ubisoft has reportedly removed 50 developers from the upcoming game Assassin's Creed Hexe and reassigned them to an interproject team. Game director Jean Guesdon has also removed the "cat companion" feature, shifting the focus to the protagonist's crafting and science-based abilities. The game's release is speculated to be delayed to holiday 2027, with potential reveals later this year.
In Kiln, Creating "Weird Little Guys" Is More Important Censorship
Kiln director Derek Brand discusses Double Fine's approach to player creativity and content moderation in the pottery party brawler. The game prioritizes enabling players to express themselves, offering moderation tools as options rather than limitations. Brand also touches on the game's development, its multiplayer-focused nature, and the support from Microsoft and Rare.
Mario Kart’s Trade Secrets Probed In Video Celebrating PGRC’s European Tour DLC Release
Walaber has released the European Tour DLC for Parking Garage Rally Circuit today on Steam, featuring 8 new car parks inspired by real-world locations. The developer also shared insights into game design, explaining mechanics like drifting and boost stacking, and drawing parallels to Mario Kart. Console release dates for Parking Garage Rally Circuit and its DLC will be announced later.
Just over 20% of players are halfway through Crimson Desert's story, and I feel like that says a lot about how…
Analysis of player engagement in Crimson Desert reveals that only 21.2% of players have reached the halfway point of the main story after five weeks. This suggests players are prioritizing the game's numerous side activities and sandbox elements over its narrative, which is criticized for being below average in quality. Pearl Abyss is actively updating the game post-launch, adding new features and improvements.
Star Wars Galaxies' tragic fate caused FF14's devs to keep the old job designs available for Evercold's overhaul: 'Players did not take that very well'
Final Fantasy 14's director, Yoshi-P, discussed the upcoming 'Evolved' job designs for the Dawntrail expansion, drawing parallels to the controversial changes made to Star Wars Galaxies. He aims to streamline jobs while preserving unique identities, learning from past player reactions to significant game overhauls. The new designs for Viper and Pictomancer are seen as early steps in this direction.
Ex-Escape From Tarkov devs say their new shooter "won't be another clone lost in a gray zone," but don't want it labeled as an "'X' killer"
Nomion Games, founded by ex-Escape From Tarkov developers Dmitri Ogorodnikov and German Terekhov, is developing a new shooter called Rush is Real. The game aims to offer a fresh experience in the genre, avoiding common tropes like slow-paced gameplay, extraction mechanics, or battle royale elements. The developers emphasize structured, high-speed action with clear objectives, focusing on tactical skill over luck.
How to Choose the Best Chance Game for You - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
This guide helps players choose the best slot game by focusing on personal playing style, session length, and risk tolerance rather than just game features. It details different slot types like classic, video, progressive jackpots, and Megaways, explaining how volatility and RTP affect gameplay. The article also covers common mistakes and recommends using demo modes to test games before playing with real money.
Gaming Parent Ready to Pass the Controller to Next Generation | HappyGamer
Gaming is evolving into a generational tradition, with parents who grew up playing now sharing the hobby with their children. This shift is recognized by companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, who are developing family-friendly features and content. While challenges like online toxicity and microtransactions remain, gaming increasingly serves as a powerful tool for intergenerational connection and shared experiences.
Froggy Hates Snow heading to Nintendo Switch
Froggy Hates Snow, a survival roguelike developed by Digital Bandidos and Crying Brick, is set to release on Nintendo Switch on May 7, 2026. Players control a frog digging through snow to find treasure, unlock upgrades, and battle creatures in a hostile, freezing environment.
Arc Raiders is finally overhauling its competitive Trials, starting with making them more fun and less frustrating
Embark is overhauling the Trials system in Arc Raiders to make it more engaging and less frustrating for players. Changes include reworking or removing challenges tied to specific map conditions and introducing more varied objectives for Season 4. The developers are also addressing player feedback regarding time constraints and competitive integrity of leaderboards.
AIGA Patch Makes Immersive Play Default for All New Players | HappyGamer
AIGA has released a significant update that makes immersive play the default for all new players, fundamentally changing the player experience. The patch introduces "skill-check dice" into conversations, offers multiple NPC reply options, and includes substantial mobile layout improvements, pushing interactive fiction towards more dynamic and lifelike digital storytelling.
Magical Abilities Removed From Upcoming Assassin's Creed Hexe, Leak Suggests
Recent leaks suggest that magical abilities may be removed from the upcoming witchcraft-themed game, Assassin's Creed Hexe. The article also mentions expectations for an Assassin's Creed 1 remake.
New League Player Discovers Why Yasuo Remains Fan Favorite | HappyGamer
A new League of Legends player has discovered the appeal of the champion Yasuo, highlighting his fun-to-play mechanics and flashy abilities. The article discusses why Yasuo remains a fan favorite despite his controversial nature, attributing his popularity to his accessible yet deep kit that appeals to both new and veteran players. This phenomenon reflects Riot Games' design philosophy of creating engaging characters for a broad player base.
