Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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'This Feels Like Nothing Else Out There': Saros Devs on Making Another Standout PS5 Exclusive
Housemarque's Gregory Louden and Simone Silvestri discuss their upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive, Saros. They highlight how the game builds upon the foundations of Returnal, focusing on rewarding progression, accessible difficulty options, and a deeper narrative integration while maintaining the studio's signature gameplay-first approach. The developers emphasize Saros' unique identity and its role as a potential entry point for new players to Housemarque's acclaimed library.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's parkour "builds on the latest design improvements from recent…
Ubisoft is updating Assassin's Creed Black Flag with revamped graphics and combat, and will also retroactively fit Edward Kenway with parkour mechanics inspired by newer entries like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Valhalla. Game director Richard Knight confirmed these changes, which aim to bring the beloved open-world game into the modern era.
As Enter the Gungeon celebrates its 10th anniversary, its creators have some choice words for the modern roguelike: 'We’re seeing it mutate to the version of itself that popularity obfuscates'
As Enter the Gungeon celebrates its 10th anniversary, developers Dave Crooks and Adam Kidd Drucker express concerns about the modern roguelike genre, particularly its increasing reliance on gambling-like mechanics and progression systems. They feel this trend, exemplified by games like Vampire Survivors and Balatro, deviates from the core experience of traditional roguelikes and can feel "cash-grabby." The developers are currently working on Enter the Gungeon 2, aiming to stay true to the original's blend of roguelike and bullet-hell elements.
After 13 years, Final Fantasy 14 is finally letting healers be healers by removing cast times for attack spells and changing GCD heals: "We want healing to be a healer's main priority"
Square Enix is implementing significant changes to the healer role in Final Fantasy XIV with the upcoming 8.0 expansion, Evercold, in January 2027. These changes include removing cast times for attack spells, allowing healers to prioritize healing while still contributing damage. This shift aims to make healing the primary focus for healers, addressing a long-standing balance issue in the game.
Final Fantasy XIV director would love to hear pitches for single-player spin-off
Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida expressed openness to pitches for a single-player, standalone version of the popular MMO. He stated that while he considers the idea, the current FFXIV team is focused on the main game, but he would welcome external proposals from passionate developers or companies interested in taking on the challenge.
The Sunday Papers
This article uses a meta-narrative to discuss various gaming topics and articles. It references reviews of Tomodachi Life and Titanfall, an interview with Egosoft founder Bernd Lehahn about X4: Foundations and MMOs, and a discussion on board game design. The piece touches on esports and the business of gaming through these varied examples.
The Switch 2 is a graphical powerhouse and soon Nintendo will prove it - Reader’s Feature
A reader speculates on Nintendo's strategy for the Nintendo Switch 2, suggesting its increased power is intended for high-fidelity games not yet revealed. The author theorizes that Nintendo is holding back major titles, possibly including a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or a new 3D Mario game, to showcase the console's graphical capabilities, which are on par with current-generation platforms like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S.
Marathon Coverage Builds Buzz Around Bungie’s Sci-Fi Comeback
Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon is generating significant community buzz, with content creators and fans showing strong interest in the return to the iconic sci-fi universe. The game aims to blend Bungie's signature polish with the cerebral, cyberpunk aesthetic of deep science fiction, differentiating itself from more military-focused titles in the genre. This revival of a dormant IP represents a major bet by Bungie on a growing genre, with anticipation high for further gameplay details and release information.
Dead Space Proves Horror Games Can Terrify Players for Years
The 2008 game Dead Space continues to terrify players years later due to its focus on atmosphere and systematic horror rather than relying solely on jump scares. This design philosophy, developed by Visceral Games, has proven to have lasting appeal and replayability, influencing modern horror game development. The success of the Dead Space remake in 2023 further validates the original's enduring design principles.
A minor Fallout: New Vegas quest got its own ending slide because the team was transfixed by the choice where you make…
Obsidian studio design director Josh Sawyer discussed the arbitrary nature of which quests receive ending slides in Fallout: New Vegas. He highlighted a minor quest, 'Flags of Our Foul-Ups,' which received an ending slide due to the team's fascination with the consequences of a player choice involving drugs.
Pokemon Champions producer comments on the game’s graphics
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino addressed fan concerns about the game's graphics, stating that the team aimed to balance both visuals and gameplay. He highlighted the focus on a fair and robust battle system while also incorporating specific visual elements like realistic shadows and custom battle effects. Despite past criticisms of the series' graphics, Pokemon Champions has received positive initial impressions.
FF14 Evercold's 'Evolved Mode' jobs aren't a replacement, because Yoshi-P remembers what happened to Star Wars Galaxies
Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida discussed the upcoming 'Evolved Mode' for the Evercold expansion, emphasizing it will be an optional alternative to the existing 'Reborn Mode' to avoid alienating the player base. Yoshida cited the unpopular overhaul of Star Wars Galaxies as a cautionary tale, ensuring that established systems will remain supported and viable. The development of Evolved Mode began about a year and a half ago, with battle system planner Hikaru Tamaki playing a key role.
When Grand Theft Auto started to blow up, Shigeru Miyamoto figured it was Nintendo's "duty to produce…
In a 2003 interview, Shigeru Miyamoto stated that Nintendo's duty was to produce games within moral and ethical borders, contrasting with the success of mature titles like Grand Theft Auto 3. He emphasized his goal to create games for both children and adults, believing game designers have a responsibility for the impact of their creations, especially on young people.
I finally like Diablo 4 now, and it's because I embraced laziness
The author has found enjoyment in Diablo 4 by embracing a more relaxed playstyle, contrasting it with the complex buildcrafting of games like Path of Exile. While acknowledging Diablo 4's simpler approach, the article highlights how the current version and upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion offer satisfying, albeit less demanding, gameplay experiences.
Naoki Yoshida On Final Fantasy XIV’s Ongoing Evolution
Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida announced the upcoming expansion Evercold at the North American Fan Festival, detailing new narrative directions and gameplay systems. The expansion will feature an "Evolved Combat" system and improvements to player matching. Yoshida also confirmed the game's arrival on Nintendo Switch 2 in August and discussed the eventual discontinuation of PlayStation 4 support due to hardware limitations.
The Enduring Appeal of Final Fantasy: Why One Franchise Defined an Entire Medium
The Final Fantasy franchise maintains its cultural relevance through a comprehensive ecosystem of games, merchandise, and media, extending its reach beyond mainline releases. Its ability to reinvent itself, exemplified by the turnaround of Final Fantasy XIV and iterative game design, allows it to survive and surprise audiences, ensuring its continued impact on the gaming medium.
First impressions of Diablo IV Lord of Hatred and the Paladin class
This preview of Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred focuses on the return of the Paladin class and the expansion's narrative progression. The author found the gameplay smoother and more engaging than the base Diablo IV, with improved itemization and new systems like the horadric cube and warplans. While the Paladin class is a strong addition, the article suggests the game still needs to forge a more distinct identity within the ARPG genre.
Final Fantasy 14 boss Yoshi-P "can't really imagine" the MMO coming to an end, hopes in 10 years time there's a conclusion that rivals Endwalker
Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida, also known as Yoshi-P, stated that he cannot imagine the MMORPG coming to an end, even in 10 years. He expressed hope that a conclusion rivaling Endwalker might be possible in the future. The discussion took place during a Fan Festival Q&A panel.
PlayStation Legend Says Most AAA Games Hide Their Creator’s Heart
PlayStation legend Shuhei Yoshida commented that most AAA games lack a distinct creator's vision, making them difficult to identify. He highlighted Hidetaka Miyazaki and Hideo Kojima as exceptions whose games clearly showcase their unique perspectives. This sentiment resonates with players who miss the personal touch in modern game development, though challenges like large team sizes and market pressures contribute to this trend.
Talking Point: Do You Play Zelda Games For The Story?
This article discusses whether players engage with The Legend of Zelda series primarily for its story. Contributors from Nintendo Life share their varying perspectives, with some valuing lore and character development while others prioritize gameplay and emergent narratives over overarching plots.
