Programming

Deep Dive: Optimizing a fully spray-painted world in Bombing!! 2: A Graffiti Paradise

"Painting everywhere is a technically expensive thing to do, and it can be very difficult to achieve if you’re not entirely focused on it as a goal of your project."

"Painting everywhere is a technically expensive thing to do, and it can be very difficult to achieve if you’re not entirely focused on it as a goal of your project."

by Devon Wiersma, Contributor

The best low cost game development tools

From RPG Maker to PICO-8, here are a few of the best low-cost game development tools available.

From RPG Maker to PICO-8, here are a few of the best low-cost game development tools available.

by Danielle Riendeau, Editor-in-Chief

Deep Dive: A step-by-step look at the production pipeline of Ravenlok

The latest game in the Voxel Trilogy was built with a lot more resources, prompting a refreshed approach to key art and effects.

The latest game in the Voxel Trilogy was built with a lot more resources, prompting a refreshed approach to key art and effects.

by Vanessa Chia, Contributor

5 design lessons learned from Breath of the Wild

This round-up from various conference talks, blogs, and streaming discussions is a treasure trove of insight into what made Breath of the Wild great.

This round-up from various conference talks, blogs, and streaming discussions is a treasure trove of insight into what made Breath of the Wild great.

by Holly Green, Community Editorial Coordinator

Flash game preservation evolves with The Elephant Collection

Prominent Flash game designer (and current Armor games CEO) John Cooney on creating The Elephant Collection for Steam and the importance of preserving titles from a particularly creative era.

Prominent Flash game designer (and current Armor games CEO) John Cooney on creating The Elephant Collection for Steam and the importance of preserving titles from a particularly creative era.

by Diego Arguello, Contributor

Assembly line: An urge to preserve game history brought a 40-year vet back to the industry

Bleem creator recounts how his famous PlayStation-on-PC emulator played a part in Xbox's birth.

Bleem creator recounts how his famous PlayStation-on-PC emulator played a part in Xbox's birth.

by Sam Machkovech, Contributor

GameMaker's 2023 plans bring AI integration and mod extensions

YoYo Games 2023 plans for its GameMaker program include AI integration, full mod support, and a redesigned version of its Code Editor tool.

YoYo Games 2023 plans for its GameMaker program include AI integration, full mod support, and a redesigned version of its Code Editor tool.

by Justin Carter, Contributing Editor

Video Games and Personality Traits: A Deep Dive into the Science of Gaming Preferences

The connection between video game preferences and personality traits offers a fascinating insight into the reasons why people are drawn to different gaming experiences.

The connection between video game preferences and personality traits offers a fascinating insight into the reasons why people are drawn to different gaming experiences.

by George Kachergis, Contributor

The best free game making tools

From small and specialized game engines like Bitsy and Ren'Py to the free versions of bigger tools like Unity and Unreal, here are a few of the best tools with the lowest barrier to entry.

From small and specialized game engines like Bitsy and Ren'Py to the free versions of bigger tools like Unity and Unreal, here are a few of the best tools with the lowest barrier to entry.

by Danielle Riendeau, Editor-in-Chief

Trawling in the deep: How Black Salt Games made spooky fishing RPG, Dredge

How do you create waves that don't scupper players, and what goes into building an accessible fishing mini-game? Here there be answers.

How do you create waves that don't scupper players, and what goes into building an accessible fishing mini-game? Here there be answers.

by Chris Kerr, News Editor

A comprehensive guide to the Unity Game Engine: Answers to Your Questions

Are you curious about how to make games with Unity? This guide will teach you everything you need to know when considering Unity as the engine for your next game project.

Are you curious about how to make games with Unity? This guide will teach you everything you need to know when considering Unity as the engine for your next game project.

by Mars Buttfield-Addison, Contributor, Computer Science Researcher

Building the brutal (and brilliant) bullet hell systems of Luna Abyss

Luna Abyss developer Bonsai Collective explains how it preserved performance by taking a unique approach to its bullet hell system.

Luna Abyss developer Bonsai Collective explains how it preserved performance by taking a unique approach to its bullet hell system.

by Chris Kerr, News Editor

Generative AI might make interoperable game items more viable

Developers in generative AI are eying how the tech could help items transfer between games.

Developers in generative AI are eying how the tech could help items transfer between games.

by Bryant Francis, Senior Editor

Game Development as Competitive Make Believe

A veteran game developer reflects on the similarities of game development and make-believe.

A veteran game developer reflects on the similarities of game development and make-believe.

by Michael Fitch, Blogger

The best programming talks from GDC

A selection of coverage from GDC 2023's best and most illuminating programming talks and interviews.

A selection of coverage from GDC 2023's best and most illuminating programming talks and interviews.

by Danielle Riendeau, Editor-in-Chief