Latest On Game Design Spotlight

Game Design Spotlight #25: A Look At Stance Dancing In MMORPGs And Its Eventual Demise Across Mainstream Games

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #25: A Look At Stance Dancing In MMORPGs And Its Eventual Demise Across Mainstream Games

Streamlined gameplay experiences impact combat's most complex and high-risk aspects.

By Anthony Jones - 4 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #24: How The Obscured World Map In Guild Wars 2 Begs You To Explore Its Corners

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #24: How The Obscured World Map In Guild Wars 2 Begs You To Explore Its Corners

Seek adventure, come across conflict, and choose your path.

By Anthony Jones - 4 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #23: Path Of Exile's "Ruthless" Mode Is Surprisingly Perfect For Casual Players

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #23: Path Of Exile's "Ruthless" Mode Is Surprisingly Perfect For Casual Players

Players unable to keep up with the rotating leagues could progress at their pace in this "extreme item scarcity" mode.

By Anthony Jones - 4 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #22: The Old-School Way Of Boat Travel In MMORPGs Needs A Comeback

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #22: The Old-School Way Of Boat Travel In MMORPGs Needs A Comeback

Waiting by the pier and riding a boat with other players further sells the experience.

By Anthony Jones - 5 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #20: How Playing Aggressively In Outriders Keeps You Alive In The Long Run

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #20: How Playing Aggressively In Outriders Keeps You Alive In The Long Run

Stay pushing forward to survive what's to come.

By Anthony Jones - 5 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #19: Synced's Adaptation Of Battle Royale And PvP/PvE Games Unifies Around Its Class-Based Nanos

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #19: Synced's Adaptation Of Battle Royale And PvP/PvE Games Unifies Around Its Class-Based Nanos

This player-controlled feature blends nicely with the many familiar multiplayer elements players know well.

By Anthony Jones - 5 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #18: How The Battle Royale In Naraka: Bladepoint Pressures Players Into Weapon Masters

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #18: How The Battle Royale In Naraka: Bladepoint Pressures Players Into Weapon Masters

For better or worse, you will have to pick up weapons you love and hate to survive against all the odds.

By Anthony Jones - 6 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #17: Playing Mind Games With Wall Portals In Splitgate Makes PvP Matches Feel Fresh

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #17: Playing Mind Games With Wall Portals In Splitgate Makes PvP Matches Feel Fresh

The freeform player mechanic keeps matches feeling not-so-repetitive hours into playing.

By Anthony Jones - 6 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #16: Lost Ark's Cinematic Cutscenes Unveils Zone Depth While Staying Cohesive

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #16: Lost Ark's Cinematic Cutscenes Unveils Zone Depth While Staying Cohesive

The isometric perspective does more for the game's cutscenes and zones than you think.

By Anthony Jones - 6 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #15: The Intricacies Of Level Grinding Prep In FFXI Is Tediously Fulfilling

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #15: The Intricacies Of Level Grinding Prep In FFXI Is Tediously Fulfilling

Eventually, the fruits of your labor will shine when it matters most.

By Anthony Jones - 6 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #14: Skill Gems In Path Of Exile Makes Player Experimentation Actually Fun

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #14: Skill Gems In Path Of Exile Makes Player Experimentation Actually Fun

As someone who loves to try out different abilities, skill gems are very build-friendly.

By Anthony Jones - 6 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #13: In The Cycle: Frontier, The Environments And Sounds Effects Instigate Player Anxiety

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #13: In The Cycle: Frontier, The Environments And Sounds Effects Instigate Player Anxiety

Players won't be able to shake off the disquieting nature of Fortuna III.

By Anthony Jones - 7 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #11: Warhammer 40K: Darktide's Hybrid Combat Has A Fulfilling Hook That Forces Players To Adapt

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #11: Warhammer 40K: Darktide's Hybrid Combat Has A Fulfilling Hook That Forces Players To Adapt

The weekend beta taught me to think through the chaos when swapping weapons and coordinating with teammates.

By Anthony Jones - 7 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #9: The Picture Style Feature In SOLO Vitalizes The Stunning Beauty Of Its Vistas And In-Game Models

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #9: The Picture Style Feature In SOLO Vitalizes The Stunning Beauty Of Its Vistas And In-Game Models

Using a preset color filter or fiddling with lighting shifts the dynamic of locations and models during gameplay.

By Anthony Jones - 8 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #8: LotRO's Subtle Approach To Quest Design Immerses Players Willing To Read

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #8: LotRO's Subtle Approach To Quest Design Immerses Players Willing To Read

MMORPG players are used to hopping from quest to quest, but LotRO shines best in its quest logs.

By Anthony Jones - 8 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #7: Collecting Aether Currents In FFXIV Is A Scavenger Hunt Without The Excitement Of Discovery

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #7: Collecting Aether Currents In FFXIV Is A Scavenger Hunt Without The Excitement Of Discovery

While solid as it is, collecting these wispy currents over the zone is more of a mental checklist.

By Anthony Jones - 8 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #6: Lost Ark's Artillerist Class Marries Strategy And Devastating Firepower So Well When Impact Matters

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #6: Lost Ark's Artillerist Class Marries Strategy And Devastating Firepower So Well When Impact Matters

Blowing up adversaries and mowing them down with a gatling gun feels so satisfying.

By Anthony Jones - 8 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #5: The Secret World Created An Intriguing And Mystifying World With Real-Life Oddities Like No Other MMO

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #5: The Secret World Created An Intriguing And Mystifying World With Real-Life Oddities Like No Other MMO

An ambitious contemporary title on release that stood out due to its concepts.

By Anthony Jones - 9 months ago
Game Design Spotlight #4: House Decorating In Final Fantasy XIV Is A Glitchy System Needing Some Love In The Next Decade

💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #4: House Decorating In Final Fantasy XIV Is A Glitchy System Needing Some Love In The Next Decade

Furnishing your home to your liking never felt so complicated.

By Anthony Jones - 9 months ago

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