game design
MMO Mechanics: Eight annoying MMORPG mechanics that grind my gears
The inspiration behind this edition of MMO Mechanics is a recent conversation I had with my housemates about the column and the inner workings...
EVE Evolved: The right way to reboot DUST 514
This week we heard the news that CCP Games will be officially shutting down PS3 online shooter DUST 514 in May to start work on...
Modders turn Fallout: New Vegas into an online co-op game
Fans of the Fallout series have been asking for an MMO or online game for years, and there was much disappointment online when the legal dispute between Bethesda...
EVE Evolved: Should CCP start developing Walking in Stations again?
In all the time that I've been writing about EVE Online, one of the most common recurring comments is that the game badly needs...
David Brevik is streaming his one-man game design process
Ever wonder how a one-man game studio functions? Former Marvel Heroes boss David Brevik is giving you an inside look on his Twitch channel.
Brevik,...
MMO Mechanics: MMORPG mechanics predictions for 2016
In the last edition of MMO Mechanics, I looked back on 2015 and the mechanics I managed to squeeze into the column: We looked...
WoW Factor: The importance of class fantasies
Here's a fun thought exercise for you all: explain the differences between Fire Mages and Destruction Warlocks in World of Warcraft. But before you...
Crowfall on experimental design and ship dates for crowdfunded MMOs
In January's Crowfall Q&A video, Design Lead Thomas Blair and Founder/Art Director J. Todd Coleman discuss Crowfall as an "experimental project." So many game design...
DDO starts taking player council applications
Ever want to bend a developer's ear and have influence on your favorite MMO? One option is to shout into the void of forums and...
Star Citizen developers answer a new batch of 10 for the Developers
Odds are that you won't be able to fly a ship in heavy armor in Star Citizen. We don't mean that in the real...
EVE Evolved: Three things you don’t want to miss in 2016
In the previous edition of EVE Evolved, I looked back at some of the big highlights EVE Online throughout 2015. It was a year that revolutionised...
EVE Evolved: 2015 EVE Online year in review
It's been a busy year for sci-fi MMO EVE Online and developer CCP Games. EVE received more updates throughout 2015 than in any previous year, though...
MMO Mechanics: 2015’s MMORPG mechanics in review
It's my favourite time of the year once again: The mulled wine is flowing, the festive lights are all aglow, the weather outside is...
Hands-on: Blade & Soul’s early beta has solid mechanics, but not much else
I've had some time to think about Blade & Soul, and I'm still not sure exactly what I want to say about it. I...
EVE Evolved: Operation Frostline patch and event guide
Practically every MMO does some kind of event for the holidays, but how do you bring the holiday cheer to a dystopian sci-fi universe...
WoW Factor: Legion testing is an exercise in absurd decisions
One of my favorite bits from The Office is when Michael is having his budget explained to him. You don't need to know the...
Exploring ‘The Video Game Debate’: Games and education
We've got some really smart commenters here at MassivelyOP, and I think they help keep the fiercer trolls away. But when Joystiq itself went under,...
The Daily Grind: What rules would you make for flying mounts in MMOs?
Some MMOs eschew the entire idea of flying mounts. Some have them in from day one, while others add them in at a later...
EVE Evolved: Three EVE mechanics that need an update
With over 12 years of development under its belt, EVE Online has now revamped, rebalanced or replaced practically every part of its gameplay at...
MMO Mechanics: Three game-changing movement mechanics
In order to create the most truly challenging MMOs that connect players with the specific virtual environments they're traversing, developers have always worked on...