Latest On Game Design Spotlight
💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #21: Players Shaping The Outcome Of Wars In Foxhole Reimagines What "MMO" Means
"Players ARE the content."
By Anthony Jones - 5 months ago💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 Feature | Game Design Spotlight #12: Grappling Hook In Naraka: Bladepoint Will Make Newbies Unpredictable Threats To Other Players
Being green in the face has its benefits.
By Anthony Jones - 7 months ago💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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💣 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