GoKawiil
Tech News
A UX designer describes an eight-week collaboration with Raph Koster, author of 'A Theory of Fun,' to study how video game design principles could inform app UX beyond traditional gamification tactics like achievements. The piece explores the initial tension between game design's use of 'juicy' visual feedback and tension-building mechanics versus UX design's typical goal of minimalism and simplicity.
Kojima Productions has publicly disputed reports suggesting the studio is struggling financially or facing project cuts. Founder Hideo Kojima acknowledged the broader industry turmoil of closures and cancellations but insisted his upcoming project, Physint, remained stable and unaffected until recent speculation caused concern.
Square Enix director Naoki Hamaguchi told Video Games Chronicle at Tokyo Game Show that Final Fantasy VII Revelation could require 200GB or more of storage, exceeding a single UHD Blu-ray's 93.1GB capacity and needing an additional download of 100GB or more. He noted splitting the game across two discs would force compromises on scope or visual fidelity, and confirmed two planned DLC packs covering Vincent and Sephiroth's backstories that could push total storage to 215-220GB.
Microsoft has filed a patent for a content management system that inserts ads into games during natural downtimes, such as after boss fights, during loading screens, or in menus. The game freezes while an ad plays, and watching it grants the player a fresh block of ad-free playtime before the cycle repeats.
FunnyPlaying has released the FPGB Mini, a handheld barely bigger than a Game Boy cartridge that uses FPGA hardware to emulate Game Boy games with near-perfect accuracy. It supports both physical cartridges and ROMs via microSD, features a 2.98-inch 800x720 IPS screen, and runs on an 1800 mAh battery for four to six hours of play. The standard price is $89, though early units sold for $69.
Microsoft has submitted a patent application, US 2026/0260258 A1, outlining a system that inserts ads into PC and console games at points the game itself flags as natural breaks—like after a boss fight, at the end of a cutscene, or during a loading screen—rather than on a fixed timer. Players would first get an ad-free window, either time-based or tied to progress, and watching an ad afterward would earn a 'credit' extending uninterrupted play.
A new online game challenges players to identify whether displayed images are authentic photographs or AI-generated within a 60-second timed round, giving roughly 10 seconds per image. The format is designed as a quick, gamified test of visual discernment rather than a formal study.
A community-maintained open source roguelike game invites players into procedurally generated dungeons, battling monsters in search of the legendary Orb of Zot. The project includes live game spectating and an active help and community section for players.
Kadokawa is turning the cult hack-and-slash video game Lollipop Chainsaw into both a live-action movie and an anime series, alongside plans for a game sequel. The multimedia push signals a broader effort to revive the property beyond its original 2012 release.
HIDIZS launched a Kickstarter for the AP30 Music Boy, a hi-res audio player styled after the classic Game Boy, seeking just $5,100. The campaign closed having raised roughly $504,311, nearly 99 times its original target, with shipping expected this October and late backers still able to join.
EA's latest football title, FC 27, has received generally favorable early reviews, with critics highlighting improved on-pitch gameplay mechanics as the standout change from previous entries. Specific details about scores or new features were not disclosed beyond the general positive reception.
A CESA survey unveiled at Tokyo Game Show 2026 found that 85.8% of Japanese game developers now use generative AI tools in their workflows, up from 51% the previous year. Of those, 63% use AI daily while 22.8% use it occasionally, mainly for debugging, error correction, and automated testing rather than direct code generation.