Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Final Fantasy 14's 8.0 update will shape the future of the MMO, but I hope Square Enix remembers the one quest that…
The author hopes Square Enix will deviate from its established content formula for Final Fantasy 14's upcoming 8.0 expansion to keep the MMO fresh. While the recent Dawntrail expansion introduced some engaging solo instances and cutscenes, the article argues that the overall story pacing and quest design relied too heavily on familiar, less interactive elements, potentially alienating players.
Mewgenics co-creator says "it's crazy" there are secrets that people still haven't found even after…
Mewgenics co-creator Edmund McMillen expressed surprise that players still haven't discovered all the secrets within the game, both in terms of lore and gameplay, over two months after its release. He noted that the lore holds more undiscovered aspects than the gameplay. This revelation comes from McMillen, who is known for embedding complex secrets in his previous works like The Binding of Isaac.
Diablo 4 Uniques Are Becoming A Wild Card In Lord Of Hatred
The upcoming Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion will significantly rework Unique items, making them more customizable and potentially more powerful through the Tempering system and the addition of the Horadric Cube. These changes aim to increase build diversity and provide new long-term goals for players in the endgame.
Slay the Spire 2 dev says an early idea was to actually reduce the card pool, but players hated it: 'We need new…
Casey Yano, co-creator of Slay the Spire and co-founder of Mega Crit Games, discussed the design of Slay the Spire 2 in a new interview. He revealed that an early idea was to reduce the card pool, but playtesters disliked it. Yano also drew inspiration from the Dark Souls series for character build progression and mentioned Balatro as an example of natural game mechanic scaling.
Monster Hunter Fan Art Featuring Odogaron Goes Viral on Twitter
A piece of fan art featuring the monster Odogaron from Monster Hunter: World has gone viral on Twitter, garnering significant attention for its detailed and accurate depiction of the creature's design. The artwork highlights the enduring appeal of well-crafted monster designs in video games and the passion of the Monster Hunter community. This viral moment underscores how strong character design and community engagement contribute to a game's lasting impact.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
American McGee, creator of Alice, revealed inspiration from a Valve demo seen during Quake 2 development. The article also notes the 16th anniversary of Square Enix's Nier, highlighting its impact on video game storytelling.
Housemarque Brings SAROS Insights to Nordic Game 2026
Housemarque developers will present insights into the creation of their upcoming game SAROS at Nordic Game 2026. The session, titled “Lessons from Carcosa: Art & Design Direction for SAROS,” will feature Brand Director Mikael Haveri, Associate Design Director Mitja Roskaric, and Art Director Simone Silvestri. SAROS is set to launch on PlayStation 5 on April 30.
Peter Molyneux’s Final Game Masters of Albion Hits Steam Early Access
Peter Molyneux's latest game, Masters of Albion, has launched on Steam Early Access, with the veteran designer calling it his final project. Early player reception suggests the indie RPG delivers on its promises, capturing the charm of Molyneux's Fable series. This early access approach allows for transparency and community feedback, contrasting with some of his past ambitious but unfulfilled projects.
"It ended up being pretty much co-development" - how 80s anime, a legendary Gundam director and It Takes Two talent combined for the Switch 2's next hit Orbitals
Orbitals, a Nintendo Switch exclusive developed by Shapefarm in collaboration with Studio Massket, aims to capture the authentic aesthetic of 80s anime. Directed by Hazelight veteran Jakob Lundgren and featuring art direction from Tôru Yoshida, the co-op adventure focuses on puzzle-solving gameplay inspired by classic anime and the works of Akira Toriyama.
Review: I’m so Disappointed in Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy
Square Enix's mobile title Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy is criticized for its pay-to-win mechanics and exploitative gacha system, especially concerning character abilities and acquisition. Despite a potentially interesting story and excellent soundtrack and character designs, the game's reliance on monetization and RNG makes it a disappointing experience compared to other Square Enix mobile titles.
Ecco the Dolphin Gets Complete Collection with New Game from Original Creator
A new collection, Ecco the Dolphin: Complete, has been announced, featuring the first two Ecco games and an all-new contemporary title developed with input from the original creator. This collection aims to revive the unique atmospheric puzzle-adventure gameplay of the original series, which was known for its challenging underwater exploration and alien conspiracies. The announcement suggests a potential for modernizing the franchise while preserving its core essence.
Tarkov lead vows to make the upcoming Fragmentary Order the opposite of Arc Raiders, which he calls an 'extraction…
Nikita Buyanov, the creator of Escape from Tarkov, is developing a new hardcore sci-fi extraction shooter called Fragmentary Order. He intends for it to be the opposite of Arc Raiders, aiming for a challenging and rewarding experience rather than a casual one. While players will still lose loot upon death, Buyanov emphasizes that Fragmentary Order will simulate reality with dynamic events and the potential for cooperation, though conflict is inevitable.
The Daily Grind: What’s a current dominant fan theory about an MMORPG you think is going to be wildly wrong?
This opinion piece discusses the prevalence of fan theories in MMORPG communities, using the Final Fantasy XIV Green Mage speculation as an example of a theory that proved incorrect. It prompts readers to share their own predictions about dominant fan theories in current MMORPGs that they believe will be wrong.
Crimson Desert Patch Delivers the Ultimate Player Choice: Difficulty That Bends to Your Will
Crimson Desert has released update 1.04.00, introducing customizable difficulty settings that allow players to tailor their experience. The patch also includes new pets, storage items, keyboard and mouse presets, inventory organization improvements, and enhanced distant scenery quality, focusing on player choice and accessibility.
Indie Developers Are Reading the Room: Cozy Games Signal New Storytelling Era
Indie developers are increasingly focusing on cozy games that prioritize atmosphere, emotional resonance, and distinctive visual identity over complex mechanics. Titles like inKONBINI and Leafy Corner exemplify this trend, offering players peaceful experiences that reflect a broader cultural desire for calm amidst an anxious world. This shift represents a new era in interactive storytelling, emphasizing internal experience and quiet moments.
Monster Hunter Frontier Fans Called Out for Difficulty Gatekeeping
A recent viral tweet highlighted how fans of Monster Hunter Frontier are often perceived as difficulty gatekeepers within the broader Monster Hunter community. This behavior, likened to meerkats popping up, involves asserting the superior difficulty of Frontier's obscure monsters in discussions. While acknowledging Frontier's genuinely higher challenge and complexity, the article argues that the delivery of this knowledge can be exclusionary, hindering community growth and new player engagement.
44 years to the day the ZX Spectrum that “never was” arrives to continue the insane retro revival we have right now
Retro Games Ltd has released the ZX Spectrum White Edition, a recreation of the iconic 1980s home computer, 44 years after the original's debut. This new edition features 48 built-in games, HDMI output, USB support, and includes exclusive accessories like a white joystick and a THEMICRODRIVE USB stick. The release celebrates the legacy of the original ZX Spectrum and its impact on home computing and game development.
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
PC Gamer magazine's latest issue features an exclusive preview of Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, including hands-on gameplay and developer interviews. The issue also includes previews for Directive 8020 and Crimson Desert, reviews for several other titles, and a feature on the best PC RPGs.
210M-View Webtoon Hit The Player Who Can’t Level Up Just Dropped an Action Roguelite Demo on Steam
The popular webtoon "The Player Who Can't Level Up" has a playable demo available on Steam, developed by Tripearl Games and published by Smilegate. The action roguelite features stylish combat, limitless build combinations, and a new narrative set in 'Another Tower'. The game is slated for Early Access on Steam in Q3 2026 and a full release in the first half of 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Online Multiplayer Chaos Meets Creativity In Double Fine’s Pottery Party Brawler, Kiln
Double Fine Productions has announced Kiln, an online multiplayer brawler where players sculpt their own pottery fighters, with each shape impacting gameplay. The game emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and destruction in its matches. Kiln will be available on console, PC, and cloud via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
