Greenheart Necromancer reinvents the idle game, shows how to rethink 'predatory' mechanics
Game Developer
FEBRUARY 6, 2025
Silverstring Media wants to reclaim the "idle game" genre to reward truly idle gameplay.
The Darkest Files by Paintbucket Games turns history into a game about justice
PreMortem.Games
APRIL 29, 2025
When players experience these stories through gameplay, the lessons about justice, courage and standing up against systemic wrongdoing become more personal and memorable than they might through other media. ” Another innovation is the blueprint mechanic. Its more than dialogue, its investigation through lived experience.”
Games 
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How to Design the Mechanics of Your Board Game
Brand Game Development
NOVEMBER 20, 2017
The core engine is what’s left when you strip a game of mechanics and obstacles. The core engine is the bare minimum set of mechanics and concepts you need to have a functioning (but not necessarily fun) game. Game mechanics are how we bring the core engine of a game to life. What are game mechanics?
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The Rise of Hybridization in Mobile Games: How Developers are Genre Mashing Their Way to Success
Game Refinery
MAY 4, 2023
In the past, hybridization was mainly seen in 4X strategy games that merged with puzzle and idle RPG mechanics , but in recent months this phenomenon has spread to titles of all shapes and sizes across the market – not just the hybrid-casual genre. Mechanically, the mode is relatively similar to Blizzard’s Hearthstone.
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Parallel Experiment by Eleven Puzzles: “Put your heart into it and players will notice”
PreMortem.Games
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
We throw ideas around, different puzzle mechanics, narrative elements and unique interactions,” Olczyk says. We love exploring different styles of puzzles, logic, pattern recognition, environmental interactions and even experimental mechanics like cooperative dialogues.” “We never run out of puzzle ideas! .
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Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 Won’t Start: How to Fix
Game Errors
JANUARY 31, 2023
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 is available on Steam and it seems that the game encounters a lot of errors. In this 2018 version, Car Mechanic Simulator seems to be poorly optimized and players reported launching issues, black screen, crashes, low frame rates, drops of fps, and freezes.
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Sulfur is a unique FPS/Roguelike “we’re proud of our creative weaponry and stupid jokes”
PreMortem.Games
NOVEMBER 6, 2024
Mod and wield with pride When talking about Sulfur, Albiin describes it as “a dream mix of our favorite game elements: action-filled FPS mechanics combined with the unpredictable, high-stakes loop of a roguelike.”
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Struggling with UA and player retention in a post-IDFA world? Minigames are the answer
Game Refinery
APRIL 6, 2023
Publishers and studios are constantly looking for new ways to improve these, whether it’s with more powerful ad creative to boost UA or by adding new gameplay mechanics and features to improve player retention. They’re a great way of boosting engagement by providing players with new and exciting ways of enjoying an existing game.
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How Mobile Game Developers Are Using In-Game Collaboration Events to Boost Player Retention
Game Refinery
NOVEMBER 23, 2022
Depending on the type of IP you want to license, collaborations also provide an opportunity to freshen up your narrative elements and gameplay mechanics. How well does the franchise – if it’s a film or TV show, for example – lend itself to your gameplay mechanics? Does it match your target demographic?
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Kazakhstan-based Goodwin Games takes us on an emotional adventure in Selfloss
PreMortem.Games
OCTOBER 28, 2024
The control mechanics are integral to the gameplay, allowing players to operate Kazimir and his staff both together and independently. The way you control the old man and the magical staff at the same time is a neat mechanic that I am proud of,” Khoroshavin says. But right now we don’t have a specific next game.
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Where to find and how to pick the right trend for your hypercasual game
PreMortem.Games
APRIL 21, 2023
In addition to the series of articles about hypercasual games and the social media trends that inspire them, AppMagic talked to AZUR Games and FreePlay, both developer and publisher in the mobile- and hypercasual games market. Also, if a game mechanic has high retention, but other metrics are not as promising (e.g.,
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VR Storytelling in Games
Played with Fire
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
2⃣ Mechanics Over Story in VR Games VR game design prioritizes motion controls, physics, and realism , often at the expense of narrative. Share your thoughts with us and check our social media : CLICK Check out our other posts: CLICK! Whats the most immersive VR story youve ever played? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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The gorgeous visuals of Bionic Bay that Juhana Myllys calls Painterly Pixel Art
PreMortem.Games
JANUARY 24, 2024
I thought that the core mechanic in this 2D game was extraordinary, so I contacted the developers. The Swap The initial idea that ignited the project was the core mechanic: The Swap. It was also important that the environments would be suitable for various gameplay scenarios and mechanics.
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4 Things to Expect on the First Play-Test of a New Board Game
Brand Game Development
NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Only after your game is functional and has a few mechanics and rules do I recommend bringing in play-testers. I chase functionality, theme-mechanic unity , and smoothness of experience. A well-made game has well-implemented rules, mechanics, art, and so on, all of which seamlessly allow the game to be its natural fun self.
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Solo dev Matthieu Houllier lets you take a paper plane on an adventure in Paper Sky
PreMortem.Games
MAY 6, 2024
Now, the sky’s the limit for Houllier as he is working on his second project Paper Sky , a game ‘that combines the thrill of an adventure game with the mechanics of a paper plane simulator’ The Kickstarter campaign is very much alive and flying. Been there, done that!
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A Crash Course in Board Game Marketing & Promotion
Brand Game Development
AUGUST 26, 2019
Until you have a big media presence, you can’t really use “the hype machine” to your advantage. We were very careful about how we worded each ad and social media post. Know how to describe mechanics that are in your game and see who it appeals to. Social Media. This is how we attracted attention.
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Why Renovation and Construction Elements Are Becoming More Popular in Casual Games
Game Refinery
SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
One of the most successful ways of doing this is by introducing meta elements – gameplay elements and mechanics from other game genres – into your game. If you’ve ever seen mobile ads pop up on your social media fees, we’d bet you’ve seen your fair share of adverts that include renovation elements. and feel a sense of accomplishment.
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Wahid Lodin: “Good PR and Marketing can land you a deal with a publisher or investor”
PreMortem.Games
MAY 17, 2023
Publishers and investors are constantly browsing for new products and things to invest in on social media. Diversify your presence, so engage with as many social media platforms as possible”, says Lodin. “I Lodin’s advice for developers that are looking for publishers or investors is to be active online. So start there.
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Stumble Guys vs. Eggy Party: Which Fall Guys Clone Is the King of Mobile?
Game Refinery
JANUARY 5, 2023
When a game with a unique style and appearance becomes a hit, it doesn’t take long for new games to emerge, hoping to emulate that success by using the same gameplay mechanics, visual style and features. You’d be forgiven for mistaking Stumble Guys for Fall Guys. Tournament options in Stumble Guys.
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Your Board Game Kickstarter: Why & How to Spread the Word Early
Brand Game Development
MARCH 1, 2021
Product-market fit takes into account your game’s mechanics and play experience, its art, its price, its components, and a whole host of different factors that gamers look for – consciously or unconsciously – before they buy. Vanity Metrics. If you’re already validating your market, you’re in good shape.
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#Drive Rally by Pixel Perfect Dude is a love letter to the golden age of rally games
PreMortem.Games
MARCH 29, 2024
So, what sets our game apart is its blend of authentic ’90s rally racing experience with modern gaming mechanics. But, he says, their limited budget pushed them to get creative and lean heavily on community engagement and social media. “We We’ve gone to great lengths to recreate the feel of driving legendary rally cars.”
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The Curious Case of Playable Ads and Traditional Marketing Strategies
Deconstructor of Fun
MAY 6, 2024
It’s likely you’ve seen these playable ads on social media or mobile news feeds - they often resemble mini-games or animations that users can play around with or view. Simple gameplay mechanics – The game or activity featured in a playable ad should be easy to understand and play, even for those unfamiliar with the advertised product.
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Birth of Byways: A Peek Into My Early Board Game Development Process
Brand Game Development
NOVEMBER 10, 2017
The basic idea of the core engine is “what’s left when you strip a game of mechanics and obstacles. The core engine is the bare minimum set of mechanics and concepts you need to have a functioning (but not necessarily fun) game.” The game’s mechanics center around that. Color TV!).
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How to Choose & Use a Board Game Marketing Strategy that Works
Brand Game Development
MARCH 19, 2018
Here is an example of a sales funnel: Use social media like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to “generate leads” or garner Attention. Until you have a big media presence, you can’t really use “the hype machine” to your advantage. Know how to describe mechanics that are in your game and see who it appeals to.
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How Many Blind Play-Tests Does Your Board Game *Really* Need?
Brand Game Development
DECEMBER 22, 2017
You need it for five reasons: It confirms that the core engine and mechanics of your game make intuitive sense. It confirms that the core engine and mechanics of your game make intuitive sense. Predictably, my response to that is “it depends.” It confirms that your rules are not unnecessarily difficult to pick up.
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20 New Year’s Resolutions for Board Game Devs in 2020
Brand Game Development
DECEMBER 30, 2019
Experiment with a theme or mechanics you’ve never used. Build up one or more social media accounts on a site such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. You can read more about that in my article here: Setting Up Social Media as a Board Game Dev: A Primer Course. Let’s say you’ve made light games.
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How to Turn Negative Play-Test Feedback into a Brilliant Game
Brand Game Development
OCTOBER 20, 2017
I’m just adding another mechanic and a tweaking a few rules. Major issues are ones that involve sweeping changes to the game such as new mechanics or sweeping rule changes. I’ve found that many people include their emails, Discord tags, social media handles, or Steam names. That’s why it’s so important.
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VR Games for advanced players
Played with Fire
NOVEMBER 27, 2023
The challenge for VR game developers lies in designing mechanics that are both challenging and appealing to advanced players. Advanced mechanics Standard mechanics are not something that will satisfy this group of players. Their experience needs to be much more in-depth, so the mechanics require a special approach.
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16 Mistakes I Made on My First Game & How You Can Avoid Them
Brand Game Development
NOVEMBER 3, 2017
Even after finding out about the hobby board game market, I still focused primarily on an untargeted social media approach. 9: My social media approach was untargeted and used suboptimal content. Lesson: Pick a specific target audience and make sure all your social media is designed for them. Board game and card game content.
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VR Can Improve Your Skills
Played with Fire
APRIL 2, 2025
The Mechanisms Behind VRs Effectiveness Why VR Works for Reflex and Coordination Training VRs success in improving motor skills is due to three key factors: Engagement of Multiple Brain Areas VR activates sensorimotor regions responsible for movement control, leading to better integration of sensory input and motor output.
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How to Work Alone in the Board Game Industry
Brand Game Development
OCTOBER 16, 2017
That means having others you can rely on – friends, family, play-testers, social media followers – is critical. “Alright, so it’s a roll, spin, and move game with push-your-luck mechanics and it’s about the Ottoman Empire…wait, where are you going?” What gives?
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A Crash Course in Board Game Development
Brand Game Development
SEPTEMBER 9, 2019
It involves creating mechanics that determine how players interact with the game. It involves creating a strategy, getting web traffic, using social media, using email newsletters, getting game reviews, going to conventions, doing live-streams, issuing press releases, and – most of all – networking.
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VR & AI – The Future of Gaming?
Played with Fire
MARCH 12, 2025
AI-driven game mechanics and VRs deep immersion are pushing the boundaries of whats possible in gaming. Share your thoughts with us and check our social media : CLICK Check out our other posts: CLICK! The answer is a resounding yes. While challenges remain, the potential of VR and AI to redefine gaming is undeniable.
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Solo dev Tomasz Kaye: “ChatGPT massively sped up the development of Axe Ghost”
PreMortem.Games
OCTOBER 2, 2024
What started as a simple concept quickly turned into a game that challenges players with a mix of strategic depth and risk-reward mechanics. I think we have a similar attitude about what ‘good game design’ is, mechanically. I sometimes shout into the void on social media instead, until I’m ready to continue.”
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Top 7 Game Dev Myths Explored
DameDev.tv
DECEMBER 16, 2022
It had a lot of commercial success despite the mechanics and artwork being very simple. Follow Laurie/Avocado Fire on Social Media [link] [link] Check us out on social media [link] [link] [link] Remember, we host live develogy livecasts every Tuesday at 10pm BST on our YouTube channel.
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How to use Kickstarter for your indie game “It’s a tool, not the end goal”
PreMortem.Games
JANUARY 10, 2024
While game designers often prioritize mechanics, Kickstarter success relies on early visual appeal. Share updates, screenshots, and behind-the-scenes content on social media to engage with potential fans. The shorter the time between Kickstarter and shipment, the better people will trust you to actually deliver”, says Liebe.
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Year 11 of the Cogmind
Grid Sage Games
DECEMBER 19, 2024
In terms of both technical achievements and content expansion, 2024 was a huge year for Cogmind… but first, the traditional opening collage, a quick visual summary of the year: Selection of images from the past year of Cogmind-related development as posted on this blog, forums, and social media (larger size here ).
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The Best Careers in Math You Never Thought About
Real Programming
NOVEMBER 28, 2024
From creating realistic physics simulations to designing engaging game mechanics, math plays a crucial role in crafting immersive experiences. Opportunities to work with teams, leagues, or media organizations. Actuarial science is ideal for individuals who love problem-solving and thrive on tackling complex data sets.
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How to Make the Perfect Board Game Rule Book
Brand Game Development
JANUARY 29, 2018
There may even be some storytelling to convey the reason or meaning behind a particular series rules and mechanics. The gameplay section should focus on round mechanics. Put it here…don’t clutter the gameplay mechanics. This could be done through a Discord chat , Reddit, or social media. Is there an edge case?
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2024 Cherry-picks
Mircosoft Game Dev
JANUARY 28, 2025
February As part of our social media expansion, we also created an official Godot Engine account on the streaming platform Twitch. Backpack Battles Backpack Battles decided to make inventory management the main game mechanic. Build relationships, play minigames, use social media, and most importantly: solve the mystery at hand.
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What is a Tabletop Game? This is Everything that Goes into Making a Board Game.
Brand Game Development
NOVEMBER 19, 2018
Not only does it help you demystify some of the speech you hear when you get into gaming, but it also has implications that could affect how you classify your website, categorize your Kickstarter campaign, or target an audience on social media or for advertising. What are hobby board games? Hobby board gamers have a passion.
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Make a Board Game in 28 Days: A Challenge by Brandon the Game Dev
Brand Game Development
FEBRUARY 1, 2021
Google “list of board game mechanics.” Share your progress on a board game design social media group or chat server. (Again, don’t worry – if you need to pivot later, you can!). Choose some obstacles or constraints that players must overcome in order to win. Pick 2-3 that you like and want to incorporate into your game.
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Hypercasual games stagnate, but Japanese publisher KAYAC maintains faith
PreMortem.Games
MARCH 8, 2024
” “As evident from everyone’s fixation on social media for years, content that humans instinctively find interesting continues to emerge infinitely. However, there will never be a shortage of content that goes viral on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
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Is VR a failure?
Played with Fire
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
The mechanics and worlds we build are designed with headsets in mind. Creating well-programmed games with interesting mechanics, gameplay, and scientific elements is what we enjoy the most. Share your thoughts with us and check our social media : CLICK Check out our other posts: CLICK! They also say the best is yet to come!
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