Grid Sage Games

MARCH 10, 2022

Some roguelikes don’t strive for balance, but maintaining balance has always been important to me for Cogmind, since it fits better with my vision for this type of game, heavy on tough, complex, and consequential decision-making at multiple strategic and tactical levels. ASCII art for Exiles prototypes.

Balance 52

Balance Mechanics Beta Prototyping 52

Designer Notes

AUGUST 31, 2021

The following is an excerpt from the Designer Notes for Old World. The game, a historical 4X set in classical antiquity, released on July 1, 2021, and is available for purchase here. The first Civilization game was like a game design thunderbolt, sent from the heavens and marking everything it touched.

Tile 40

Tile Terrain Game Design Game Designer 40

Grid Sage Games

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Despite its relatively small item pool and low emphasis on random variants, Brogue has an even greater emphasis on terrain factors that really help support the dynamic gameplay in a way that keeps repeated runs interesting. Brogue’s trippy colors come from impactful terrain features like water, lava, and gases.

Data 52

Data Terrain Balance Mechanics 52

Deconstructor of Fun

MAY 15, 2022

Lost Ark outshines other MMO games because each element mentioned above is polished to the next level. Balancing relies heavily on gear, maps are crowded with question marks, Boss fights feature repetitive mechanisms. Though, all of these foibles could be found in other games as well. Let’s use the Witch class as an example.

Cutscenes 52

Cutscenes Art Content Mechanics 52

Radiator Blog

DECEMBER 12, 2022

CONTENT WARNING: This post contains discussion of gay sex acts and some screenshots with obscured pixel art nudity. It's mostly "safe for work" even if the actual game is not. That Lonesome Valley is a short gay cowboy romance game about walking, sheepherding, and kissing. Balancing the weight of each system was difficult.

Pixel 52

Pixel Film Art NPC 52