World Building
Ongoing coverage on World Building.
Latest coverage
Cyberpunk 2077 Still Gets Updates Because “This World Keeps Giving Us Reasons to Return,” Says CDPR
CD Projekt RED continues to support Cyberpunk 2077 with updates, aiming to enrich the game world and provide players with more ways to interact with Night City. Associate game director Paweł Sasko highlighted that the world itself provides ongoing inspiration for new content, referencing the impact of the Edgerunners anime and the upcoming Project Orion.
Genshin Impact preps two new characters and a world-spanning fight against annihilation November 4
Genshin Impact's Version 7.2: Hour of Ruin update, launching November 4th, will continue the main story with a world-spanning conflict against annihilation, drawing all nations of Teyvat together. The update also introduces two new characters, Mitya and Valeriy, a new event with rewards, and a masquerade-themed UGC platform with new assets.
Putting Control Resonant Under A Microscope Is Rewarding In An Unexpected Way
The author explores how Remedy Entertainment's latest game, Control Resonant, shifts focus from intricate plot connections to the detailed environmental storytelling within its Manhattan setting. Despite initial expectations for deeper ties to the Remedy Connected Universe, the game's strength lies in its intentionally crafted in-game signage and world-building elements, which are authored by artists rather than AI.
Final Fantasy Resonance is a fantastic example of how to rewrite battle mechanics to suit a full-fat RPG release, it's just a shame about all the actual writing
Final Fantasy Resonance offers a fantastic rewrite of battle mechanics for a full RPG experience, but is hampered by its weak story and shallow writing. While the combat system, inspired by previous Final Fantasy titles and Octopath Traveler, is compelling and deep, the narrative and character development feel underdeveloped, stemming from its origins as a mobile game. Despite these flaws, the latter half of the game, particularly its boss fights and exploration, provides a satisfying experience for those prioritizing combat puzzles over storytelling.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 and Resident Evil prove that game worlds, not characters, make the best adaptations
Recent adaptations like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 and the Resident Evil movie demonstrate that focusing on game worlds rather than exact character retellings leads to greater success. By building new stories within established universes like Night City and Raccoon City, these projects retain the spirit of the source material while offering fresh narratives. This approach is proving more effective than direct rehashes, as seen with the critical failure of Silent Hill 2's film adaptation.
The Cyberpunk 2077 movie won't be 'a film adaptation of the game,' CD Projekt chief says
CD Projekt Red's co-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated that the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 movie will not be a direct adaptation of the game's story. Instead, the project, now in partnership with Paramount Pictures, aims to tell a new story within the Cyberpunk universe, drawing inspiration from successful game-to-screen adaptations like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
Arc Raiders TV and movie adaptations can do what the game doesn't: "We feel like we have created a world that's fertile ground to tell all kinds of different stories"
Embark Studios is exploring TV and movie adaptations for its game Arc Raiders and its previous title, The Finals, in partnership with Chernin Entertainment. While Arc Raiders focuses on emergent player stories and world absorption, the adaptations are expected to delve deeper into character-driven narratives to better suit the medium.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Interview – New Protagonist, Worldbuilding, Potential Sequels, And More
Asobo Studio's Carol Ann Bañuls and David Dedeine discuss the new protagonist Sophia in Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, focusing on balancing her combat capabilities with her inherent vulnerability. The interview also delves into the distinct combat styles of Sophia and Theseus, the design challenges of portraying Minotaur's Island across different historical periods, and the technical features for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
On top of The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, CD Projekt Red boss says Project Hadar is the studio's "biggest undertaking to date" – and they've finally finished building its world
CD Projekt Red's joint studio CEO Michał Nowakowski stated that Project Hadar, the studio's first fully proprietary IP, is its biggest undertaking to date and has completed its world-building phase. While not yet in pre-production, small prototypes and gameplay elements are being tested, indicating significant progress on the ambitious new title.
Avatar: Seven Havens co-creator confirms there was no "secret Avatar" between Korra and twin Avatars Pavi and…
Avatar co-creator Michael Dante DiMartino has confirmed that there was no secret Avatar between Korra and the twin Avatars Pavi and Nisha in the series Avatar: Seven Havens. This debunks a popular fan theory about the 200-year gap in the Avatar succession. DiMartino also discussed the show's mystery elements and the introduction of twin Avatars.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Had An Entire Team Dedicated to Writing Open-World NPC Chatter
Rockstar Games has dedicated an entire team of writers to crafting the background chatter for Grand Theft Auto 6's NPCs, aiming to enhance worldbuilding and immersion. Vice president of narrative Rupert Humphries and writing director James Horton emphasized that this dialogue is considered integral to the game's experience, not mere background noise. While pre-order figures reportedly favor the PlayStation 5 version, Xbox has reported record-breaking numbers for the title.
Control Resonant Interview – Worldbuilding, Melee Combat, Side Content, And More
In an interview about Control Resonant, Remedy Entertainment developers discussed the game's melee combat, drawing inspiration from titles like Ninja Gaiden and Doom Eternal. They also detailed advancements in their in-house engine and world editor, NWED, built upon lessons learned from Alan Wake 2, enabling larger and more dynamic environments. The discussion also touched upon the game's narrative tools, AI, audio systems, and the push for real-time path tracing to achieve naturalistic lighting.
Bungie co-founder and Destiny 2 narrative director launch transmedia studio Stone Kite
Bungie co-founder Jason Jones and Destiny 2 narrative director Margaret Stohl have launched a new transmedia studio called Stone Kite. The Los Angeles-based company aims to build worlds collaboratively across various media from inception, debuting with its first IP, One Zero One, a comic book series adapted from an original manuscript by Jones.
In Control Resonant, It’s The Tiniest Details That Continue To Matter Most
This article discusses how the smallest details in the game Control, such as the prohibition of No. 2 pencils and the concept of 'fridge duty,' contribute significantly to its rich world-building and environmental storytelling. The author praises Remedy Entertainment for subtly weaving these elements into the game, rewarding players who pay close attention.
Final Fantasy Resonance Showcases Vision Of Terra’s Magical Might in New Showcase
Final Fantasy Resonance's latest trailer introduces a mysterious race coexisting with humans, now caught in a conflict with an empire and rebels. Terra Branford from Final Fantasy VI is featured, showcasing her elemental magic abilities which are described as potentially destructive and wide-reaching.
Control Resonant review - action-RPG oriented follow-up to Control leaves behind too much of what gave the original its magic
Control Resonant, a follow-up to Control, shifts towards an action-RPG focus but loses much of the original's narrative magic and atmospheric focus. While it expands the scope with a larger world and new mechanics, the review criticizes its diluted narrative, less compelling family dynamics, and combat that hasn't significantly improved. The game's attempt to incorporate live-service elements is seen as detrimental to its unique identity.
End of Abyss Developers Discuss Level Design and World Building in New Behind-the-Scenes Trailer
Section 9 Interactive and Epic Games released a behind-the-scenes trailer for End of Abyss, detailing its level design and world-building. Developers Robin Jansson and Gustav Bunse discussed creating a fantastical yet understandable world with hidden secrets, focusing on industrial and organic elements. The action-adventure Metroidvania title is set for release on October 1st for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Where do I start with a Campaign?
This guide offers advice for new Game Masters on how to start building their own tabletop role-playing game campaigns. It emphasizes generating ideas, establishing conflict, developing antagonists, and planning for Session Zero. The article uses examples like 'The Airy Peaks' to illustrate concepts such as history/lore, starting locations, and antagonist motivations.
Inside the Ubisoft Philippines: Studio Tour and Its Work on Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
A studio tour of Ubisoft Philippines revealed the significant contributions of the studio to games like Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. The tour highlighted the local team's ownership of complete features, from dynamic harpooning mechanics and distinct fort designs to detailed animations and immersive audio.
Control Resonant looks like an exciting action-RPG, but I just want it to mess with my head
Control Resonant, developed by Remedy Entertainment, presents an intriguing action-RPG experience set in a Mold-infested Manhattan. Players control Dylan Faden, who uses a shapeshifting weapon called the Aberrant and must recover health by eliminating enemies. The game, set to release on September 24, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, promises a deep combat system and a fascinating world that plays with the barrier between fiction and reality.
