Best of Game Design — November 2024

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   Article

   Game Developer·1y

   I designed economies for $150M games—here's my ultimate handbook

   A seasoned game developer shares an extensive guide on designing successful game economies. This detailed resource encompasses five years of experience and knowledge about game balancing and monetization strategies, including current industry trends. The guide covers foundational principles of game economy, like currency stability, price rationality, and resource distribution, and delves into player psychology and resource management techniques. The handbook also discusses using tools such as spreadsheets and introduces a universal tool for game balance, Game Balance Guru, aimed at simplifying complex balancing tasks.

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   Video

   Clear Code·1y

   Recreating Zelda: Breath of the Wild in Godot [ + the ultimate intro to 3D game dev ]

   This comprehensive tutorial guides you through creating a Zelda: Breath of the Wild inspired game in Godot. It serves as an introduction to 3D game development, covering basics such as managing 3D graphics, animations, interactivity, and level creation. Advanced topics like lighting, special effects, and shaders are also discussed to enhance the game's visual appeal. Basic knowledge of Godot engine and GD script is suggested for better understanding.

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   Article

   Hacker News·1y

   How Tiny Glade 'built' its way to >600k sold in a month!

   Tiny Glade, a relaxing building game by Pounce Light, sold over 600,000 copies on Steam within a month of its release. The game appeals to fans of cozy, freeform builders and boasts highly positive reviews. The developers shared insights into their iterative design process, the strong community engagement, and the use of procedural generation to create an immersive experience. Tiny Glade's success is attributed to effective marketing and the game's viral appeal, showcasing the potential for indie games to thrive with the right approach.

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   Video

   Code Monkey·1y

   Make your game STAND OUT with ONE tiny thing!

   Custom cursors can significantly enhance the professionalism and visual appeal of strategy games. By using custom animated cursors, developers can add a unique touch to their games. The post discusses an asset that simplifies the creation and implementation of custom cursors in Unity, highlighting its ease of use and the value it adds. A free tutorial is also offered for those who want to learn the basics without purchasing the asset.

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